Deputy Director of Operations

Description

Legal Aid of Western Missouri is entering an exciting new chapter. With a new Executive Director in place, the organization is building out a senior leadership team positioned to strengthen its operational foundation and expand its impact. Legal Aid has grown in recent years and is committed to ensuring that its infrastructure, systems, and people are fully equipped to support that growth. The Deputy Director of Operations will be a foundational member of the leadership team, providing the operational leadership and coordination that enables Legal Aid's programs and staff to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality civil legal aid to clients across our 40-county service area.

Job Purpose

The Deputy Director of Operations is a senior leadership role who oversees the administrative infrastructure that enables the organization to deliver high-quality legal services. The Deputy Director of Operations partners closely with the Executive Director and the Deputy Director of Programs to ensure the organization operates efficiently and in full compliance with legal and funder requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Administration and Compliance

• Oversee the development, implementation, and enforcement of organizational policies, procedures, and internal controls, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, funder requirements.
• Directly supervise operational staff as designated by the Executive Director, including the Facilities Manager, Operations Manager, and other roles as they are established.
• Coordinate with the Directors of Development, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Client Access to ensure all policies, contracts, and other agreements are aligned with our mission and advance organizational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director of Programs to oversee intake, case management, and case closure processes to ensure consistency with best practices and compliance with funder requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts across operational systems and processes, with a focus on organizational effectiveness and maximizing impact for Legal Aid’s clients and staff.
• Oversee organizational risk management, including identifying and mitigating operational, legal, and financial risks, and ensuring adequate insurance coverage across all offices and activities.
  
  

Office & Facilities Management

• Oversee the management of the organization's physical office space, including lease compliance, maintenance, and vendor relationships and contracts for Legal Aid’s seven physical offices.
• Ensure a safe, functional, and welcoming work environment for staff and clients.
• Coordinate office operations to support day-to-day organizational functioning.
  
  

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and contribute to organizational planning, policy development, and culture-building.
• Support Board governance functions including committee support and policy compliance.
• Provide operational support across all leadership departments to ensure organizational effectiveness and consistency.
  
  

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in operations, organizational management, administrative leadership, or executive leadership support, with roles of increasing responsibility over time.
• Significant experience developing, implementing, and improving organizational policies and internal controls, systems, and administrative processes.
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities, lead across departments, and support organization-wide decision-making.
• Excellent analytical, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, access to justice, or nonprofit sector work.
• Demonstrated ability to build inclusive, equitable workplaces and model organizational values.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, Master of Public Administration, Master of Business Administration, or comparable advanced degree
• Experience at a legal aid organization, law firm, or other legal services setting.
• Familiarity with grant-funded, regulated, or government contract compliance, such as Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations. Knowledge of case management systems, IT infrastructure, or legal technology platforms.
• Experience supporting or reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Prior operations leadership experience in a multi-office organization or at an organization of 75 staff.
  
  

Location

This role will be based in our Kansas City Central office. Travel between Legal Aid’s seven offices will be required. Although a regular presence in the office is required, Legal Aid offers flexible and remote work arrangements to support employees in co-creating schedules that allow us all to do our best work.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $120,000- $180,000 based on years of experience and Legal Aid’s formal salary scale. To allow for salary growth within the position over time, the anticipated hiring range for this position is between $120,000 – $150,000. Placement on the range will be based on factors such as years of relevant experience, budget, and internal parity. Legal Aid offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement contributions; short-and long-term disability; and generous leave policies.

How To Apply

To apply, please begin the application and submit the following:

• Cover letter,
• Resume,
• A list of three references.
  
  

Applications received by June 22, 2026, will receive priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

The Organization

Legal Aid of Western Missouri provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to people who need it most and can afford it least. With offices in the Kansas City area, Joplin, St. Joseph and Warrensburg, we serve a 40-county area where 295,000 people live in poverty. By providing free legal representation to people facing financial hardship or life-changing challenges, Legal Aid helps ensure that justice is accessible to everyone—not just those who can afford it.

LAWMO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact Human Resources Department at EEO@lawmo.org.