POSITION OVERVIEW  

The Associate Director of Fellowships supports the Director of Fellowships to implement and execute a strategy to increase the impact of the Design Your Own (DYO) Fellowship program and to ensure its excellent quality. Each year, 70-90 new DYO Fellows begin unique two-year entrepreneurial projects across the country that serve and address a range of legal issues. Equal Justice Works has helped launch the careers of more than 2,700 lawyers, 85 percent of whom remain in public interest after their Fellowships.  

The Associate Director helps the Director and Unit Vice President lead the development and execution of strategies to renew and recruit donor support of the DYO Fellowship program, with a special focus on growing the corporate and law firm pipelines. The Associate Director also serves as one of five portfolio managers on the team, managing relationships with current and prospective donors as well as Fellows in an assigned geographic region, including law firms, corporations, bar foundations, individuals, and others. The Associate Director has significant fundraising and program responsibilities in the assigned region, and the position will require significant travel, approximately one trip per month. The balance of responsibilities for this position is approximately 50% programmatic and 50% fundraising. The Associate Director reports to the Director of Fellowships. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES  

Team Leadership 

• Supports the Director in advancing the growth and successful performance of the DYO Fellowship program, including through training and mentoring of staff. 

• Supports the Fellowships team in the continued growth of the pipeline of law firms and corporate donors, including developing strategy and execution plans, conducting relevant analysis, and helping develop collateral materials in partnership with the Associate Director for Institutional Advancement. 

• Helps Director lead team in annual Fellowship sponsor renewal and prospecting efforts and creation of annual donor goals.   

• Develops communications plan and drafts language for a range of donor communications. 

• Helps lead cross-unit efforts to design and execute plans: 1) to grow donor support for the Fellowships program and the organization, working closely with the Institutional Advancement Unit and outside consultants around the annual Scales of Justice event, and 2) to improve synergy and efficiency of Fellowship and other Equal Justice Works programs.  

Portfolio Management  

• Expands Equal Justice Works’ fundraising base in assigned geographic portfolio by recruiting and supporting current and prospective donors. Approaches potential sponsors and funders, prepares sponsorship proposals, makes the ask to fund or renew sponsorships and negotiates terms of their support. 

• Stewards and retains existing sponsors by managing the Fellow selection process for sponsors in portfolio and monitoring the performance of their Fellows. Promotes Fellow’s interaction with sponsors, including pro bono engagement, to encourage high satisfaction. Assist with Fellow presentations, prepares written reports and alumni booklets per sponsor requests. 

• Supports individual Fellows in portfolio by serving as staff contact for all external-facing inquiries and other Fellow support matters in coordination with the Senior Program Manager. Supports Fellowship class by participating in planning and execution of Leadership Development Training and other trainings as necessary. 

• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits new donors; stewards donors, including individuals in portfolio region; solicits gifts from existing donors; and solicits Scales of Justice sponsorships. Works with CEO and Institutional Advancement unit to support stewardship of donors. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

DIRECT REPORTS

• Supervisory responsibilities are included in this position.  

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of four years of senior staff and project management experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working as a lawyer in a law firm or corporate legal department strongly preferred
• Experience supervising and leading a team, with demonstrated ability to train, mentor and retain employees and develop growth and potential  
• Extensive knowledge of the public interest law sector, including understanding of social justice issues and familiarity with nonprofit organizations
• Fundraising experience or relationship management experience strongly preferred
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities to achieve results
• High degree of self-motivation and determination; self-starter; operates independently and works well in a team environment; great communicator
• Ability to think creatively, strategically, and analytically
• Commitment to upholding Equal Justice Works’ mission, vision, values, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles

About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works (EJW) is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. We achieve this through creating Fellowship programs for lawyers and community organizers, hosting the largest national public interest law career fair, advocating for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and supporting law students pursuing public interest law careers. We bring together an extensive community of law schools, law students, lawyers, community organizers, legal services organizations, and supporters to promote a lifelong commitment to public service and equal justice. Following their Fellowships, more than 85% of our Fellows remain in public service positions, continuing to pursue equal justice for under-resourced communities across the country.

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