Director, Operations

Organization History and Impact:

The National Bar Association (NBA) is the preeminent National professional organization representing African American lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students in the United States. Founded in 1925, the NBA was established at a time when African American legal professionals were largely excluded from other national bar associations, most notably the American Bar Association, which did not admit African American members until 1950. The NBA was created to provide a platform for Black legal professionals to convene, share resources, and advocate for civil rights and social justice.

The NBA's enduring objectives are to advance the science of jurisprudence, uphold the honor of the legal profession, and promote social interaction among its members, while vigorously protecting the civil and political rights of all citizens. Today, the National Bar Association continues to be a vital advocate for justice and equality, working tirelessly to address the legal needs of African Americans and promote diversity within the legal profession. By fostering a sense of community and collaboration among its members, the NBA remains a powerful force for change and a key player in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice.

Website: www.nationalbar.org

About the Role:

The NBA is seeking a highly strategic and results-driven Director, Operations to join our leadership team. This pivotal role oversees the organization’s administrative, financial, and operational functions while ensuring seamless execution of events, conventions, and member convenings. As we expand our impact through innovative programs, influential advocacy, and transformative member experiences, we require a strategic operations leader who can partner with the Executive Director to translate our bold vision into operational excellence. The Director, Operations will serve as the critical link between our mission and our infrastructure, ensuring that every facet of our organization - from financial management to event execution - meets the highest standards of excellence and efficiency.

Reporting to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership:

• Oversee daily business operations including office management, IT infrastructure, and administrative systems
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to improve organizational efficiency
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations governing nonprofit operations

Events & Convening Management:

• Lead planning and execution of annual convention, membership meetings, and special events
• Manage event budgets, vendor contracts, and logistics coordination
• Implement evaluation processes to measure event success and ROI

Process Optimization:

• Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements across operational workflows
• Develop and maintain knowledge management systems
• Standardize operating procedures across all departments

Financial & Resource Stewardship:

Partner with the Executive Director and outsourced finance team to:

• Develop annual budgets and financial forecasts
• Support timely and accurate financial reporting
• Ensure proper financial controls and audit readiness
• Oversee grant compliance and reporting requirements

Strategic Collaboration:

• Work closely with key stakeholders to align operations with strategic initiatives
• Coordinate cross-departmental projects and initiatives

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 7 years in operations leadership with progressive responsibility
• Demonstrated success in membership organizations or nonprofit environments
• People operations experience
• Event/conference management background
• Technical knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suites and other online tools (Zoom, Asana, etc.)
• Ability to travel within the US and international, as needed (10-15% of time)
• Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving skills, ability to provide highest quality customer service to stakeholders
• Proven ability to interact, communicate, and collaborate with people from a variety of backgrounds; strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage short- and long-term projects, establishing timelines and project plans and ensuring that deadlines are met

Required Skills:

• Mission-Driven: Passionate about advancing the NBA's mission.
• Strategically Agile: Maintains simultaneous focus on big-picture objectives and granular operational details, with a proven track record of executing complex initiatives.
• Operationally Excellent: Brings creativity and thought leadership to organizational challenges, combining strong project management skills with emotional intelligence.
• Collaborative Leader: Possesses outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Member-Focused: Demonstrates unwavering commitment to serving our members and enhancing their NBA experience.
• Multifaceted Expert: Adept at multitasking across Operations, Nonprofit Finance, and Association Management domains, with experience in large-scale event planning.

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to translate strategic vision into operational reality
• Exceptional capacity for managing competing priorities
• Talent for building consensus across diverse stakeholders
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture
• Passion for developing systems that scale with organizational growth

Compensation & Benefits:

The National Bar Association offers a competitive compensation package designed to support both the professional and personal well-being of our team members. This position offers a competitive salary in the range of $95,000 -$125,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The selected candidate will receive a market-competitive salary along with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage. Equal

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

The National Bar Association is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in all forms and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.