Executive Director, Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law

The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law is seeking an Executive Director for The Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law. This position will be filled at the payroll title of Managing Director or Senior Managing Director depending on education and experience. The Gibson-Banks Center at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law invites applications for the Center’s Executive Director position, to begin in the fall/winter 2023. Launched in September 2023, the Center will work collaboratively to re-imagine and transform institutions and systems of racial and intersectional inequality, marginalization, and oppression. The Center’s overall aim is to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities impacted by historical and modern-day racial and intersectional oppression. The Center will partner with a diverse array of stakeholders in Baltimore, in Maryland, and throughout the United States, including individuals and communities directly impacted by inequality and injustice, as well as organizations committed to racial and economic justice. The Center’s work falls broadly into three categories: 1) education and engagement; 2) advocacy; and 3) research. While the Center aims to impact broadly, it is rooted in Baltimore.

 

BENEFITS (Exempt Regular):

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development. This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous paid leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 15 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is Ranked Among the Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes 2022 & 2023.

 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Executive Director (ED) supports the vision and mission of the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law (the Center). Reporting to the Faculty Director (FD) and working with the Advisory Board (Board), the ED will lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Center’s work to collaboratively re-imagine and transform institutions and systems of racial and intersection inequality, marginalization, and oppression. Responsibilities include contributing to the overarching aim to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities impacted by historical and modern-day racial and intersectional oppression.

Working with the FD, the ED will have operational responsibility for the Center’s programs and execution of its mission.

The ED will be responsible for executing the vision and strategic direction of the Center, working with the FD to implement the strategic plan, manage the financial resources and operational capacity of the organization, and oversee the organization’s fiscal management, including fundraising activities.

The ED will have a vital role in the Center’s work, including active participation in the Center’s research, public education, advocacy, litigation, events, and programming. The work will include producing research reports; producing the Center’s yearly report; drafting amicus briefs; participating in advocacy campaigns; coordinating and attending conferences, convenings, and community conversations; and developing and deepening partnerships with communities, organizations and other stakeholders throughout Baltimore, the State of Maryland, and the United States that are aligned with the Center’s mission. The ED will also be responsible for overseeing the Center’s internal and external communications, as well as supervising law student fellows, and community fellows, and working with partner organizations, community members, community groups, and consultants.    

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Management:

Provide vision and overall leadership for the Center, in collaboration with the FD and Board. Work with the FD and Board to develop and implement strategies in support of the organization’s vision, mission, goals, and values. Work with the FD and Board to create short- and long-term strategic plans for the Center consistent with its vision, mission, goals, and values. Help to establish the Center as a nationally recognized resource.

External Engagement:

Establish and coordinate an effective marketing/communication plan with the FD and UMB leadership that promotes the Center. Build relationships and engage regularly with local, regional, national, and other community stakeholders. Co-lead, with the FD, the development of strategic partnerships with government, private and nonprofit entities to further the objectives of the organization’s mission and goals. Connect and collaborate with Baltimore-area legal and public policy organizations. Maintain a social media presence and oversee updates to the Center’s website. Community

Leadership/Public Relations:

Establish and strengthen relationships with members of state and federal government offices, agencies, and legislative bodies, and serve as an expert resource in connection with their policy-making and legislative activities. Ensure the Center remains current on all relevant policy and legal issues. Work with the FD, other staff, and the Board to assess current services and programs, set annual service delivery and community impact goals, and develop ideas for changes or innovative programs of the Center.

Operations and Financial Oversight:

Work in collaboration with the development team, the FD, and the Board to cultivate relationships and solicit major gifts, sponsorships and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and to build and expand the donor base. Ensure that the annual budget is funded through appropriate sources and that the fundraising strategy is adjusted as necessary to meet financial goals. Provide leadership for the organization's financial strategy including evaluating and revising annual budgets and multi-year strategic plans. Ensure compliance with funding requirements of agencies, professional organizations and other outside organizations that provide resources. Recruit, select, develop, and retain team members and oversee the selection of other staff as needed. Authorize and approve expenditures in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Advisory Board Relationship:

In consultation with the FD and UMB leadership, recruit, train, and retain an Advisory Board comprised of community stakeholders who are effective in engaging and promoting the mission and strategic goals of the Center. Consult with the Board and other community stakeholders in prioritizing focus areas of the Center on an ongoing basis. Engage Board members in identifying fundraising prospects and train them in their role in developing the organization’s financial base. Keep Board members informed of the overall operations of the Center including programs, financial status, human resource issues, significant policy issues, external communications, and development. Provide information and recommendations to the Board for setting or revising the organization’s vision, mission, goals, objectives, operating policies, and strategic planning priorities. Coordinate and manage regularly scheduled Board meetings. Perform other duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - MANAGING DIRECTOR

Education: Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association approved law school.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in legal, professional administrative and/or program/practice management required. Background in litigation and legislative/policy preferred.

Supervisory Experience: N/A.

Certification/Licensure: N/A.

Other: Clery act designated job as campus security authorities (CSA) member and will comply with Clery Act requirements.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR

Education: Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association approved law school.

Experience: Eight (8) years of experience in legal, professional administrative and/or program/practice management required. Background in litigation and legislative/policy preferred.

Supervisory Experience: Two years of experience at a management/leadership level preferred.

Certification/Licensure: N/A.

Other: Clery act designated job as campus security authorities (CSA) member and will comply with Clery Act requirements.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

The candidate must have a demonstrated, professional commitment to racial justice, which is vital to the Center’s mission of working collaboratively to re-imagine and transform institutions and systems of racial and intersectional inequality, marginalization, and oppression. 

The position requires creativity and strategic thinking, including an understanding of financial data and organizational budgets and fundraising skills.

The candidate must be able to work collaboratively, with the ability to recognize and value the voice and leadership of directly impacted individuals and communities.

 

Hiring Range: $110K -$121K per year for Director/ $126K - $140K for Senior Director (Commensurate with education and experience).

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at HRJobs@umaryland.edu. 

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact HRDiversity@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.