Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a senior executive leader of LASROC and a member of the senior management team which is responsible for the overall management of LASROC. The management team consists of the CEO, the CFO, the COO, the Civil Division Director, and the Juvenile Justice Division Director. The COO is responsible for the day-to-day operational, programmatic management of LASROC and collaborates with the CFO in overseeing the organization’s financial management and administrative functions. They report directly to the President and CEO, and oversees the Juvenile Justice Director, the Civil Division Director, Communications and Recruitment Administrator, the Director of Program Administration and Director of Grants, ensuring alignment across all program units and administrative functions in service of the agency's mission to advance access to justice for underserved individuals and families.

The COO provides strategic and operational leadership across program units to ensure consistency in all divisions. This includes overseeing Unit Directors, driving staff development and retention, ensuring grant compliance and program reporting, and serving, along with the CEO, as a key external representative of LASROC with community partners and funders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Program Leadership and Oversight

• Key Member of the senior management team to provide overall strategic leadership for the management of the agency.
• Partner with the President and CEO to translate strategic priorities into operational plans, policies, and procedures across all units and offices.
• Provide oversight of the Juvenile Justice Unit and Civil Division Unit, Grants and Program Administration and Communications ensuring high-quality, mission-driven legal services delivery across all program units.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for program quality and service delivery standards across all supervised units.
• Establish and maintain program policies, procedures, and case management standards consistent with the agency's mission, funder requirements, and applicable legal practice standards.
• Coordinate with the Division Directors on cross-agency initiatives, shared resources, and agency-wide program consistency; escalate coordination matters to the President and CEO as appropriate.
• Lead the development and implementation of strategic plans for program unit growth, capacity building, and expanded access to justice.
• In collaboration with the CEO and CFO participate in the development, planning and management of the overall agency budget.
• Serve as a key representative and collaborative partner in the Telesca Center for Justice and Fund for Justice partnership, actively participating in meetings, events, donor engagement initiatives while contributing to activities and strategic initiatives to further the shared mission.

Staff Development and Retention

• Oversee the professional development, mentoring, and continuing legal education of program staff across all supervised units, in alignment with agency goals and funder expectations.
• Lead and support Unit Directors in conducting timely and meaningful performance evaluations, interim reviews, and case reviews for their respective staff.
• Partner with the President and CEO and CFO on human resources matters affecting program staff, including hiring, discipline, and termination decisions within supervised units.
• Ensure program and administrative units operate in compliance with agency personnel policies, internal controls, and applicable employment laws and regulations. Work with the external HR consultant to address emerging issues and maintain best practices.
• Support workforce planning, organizational structure decisions, and succession planning in partnership with the President and CEO.
• Develop, implement, and maintain agency-wide training programs for attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, including onboarding, substantive law training, and practice skills development.
• Advance staff retention strategies that support employee engagement, career growth, and commitment to the agency's mission.

Client Services and Community Engagement

• Ensure consistent, equitable, and client-centered service delivery across all program units, including maintaining accessible intake processes and responsive case handling.
• Respond to and resolve complex client inquiries, complaints, and escalated matters involving program staff, opposing counsel, the judiciary, or partner agencies.
• Represent LASROC at community partner meetings, collaborative initiatives, coalition tables, and public forums relevant to the agency's civil legal services mission.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, social service agencies, courts, and other stakeholders to support client referrals and coordinated service delivery.
• Support and lead community outreach, legal education, and public awareness efforts, including seminars and training for the Bar Associations and community groups.

Grant Development and Program Reporting

• Participate in the preparation of grant applications and funding requests, including writing, editing, and analyzing proposal content, while collaborating with subgrantees to ensure accurate and complete submissions.
• In consultation with the Grants and Program Administrator, oversee the preparation and submission of required statistical and narrative reports for all program grants within supervised units.
• Ensure program staff maintain accurate and complete case files, data, and documentation in compliance with grant requirements, agency standards, and applicable regulations.
• Participate in funder site visits, audits, and program reviews.
• Collaborate with the President and CEO, CFO and Division Directors on program budget development, monitoring, and amendment, ensuring alignment between program priorities and available resources

Organizational and Administrative Leadership

• Promote and model LASROC’s mission, values, and commitment to equal justice in all internal and external interactions.
• Ensure program units operate in compliance with agency personnel policies, internal controls, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provide program reports and updates to the President and CEO on a regular basis and contribute to materials prepared for the Board of Directors as requested.
• Collaborate with the CFO in overall operations and oversight to align operational resources with program priorities.
• Participate in Management Team meetings and other agency-wide meetings, committees, and initiatives.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Must be an attorney admitted to practice law in New York State.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, with significant experience in civil legal services or a related public interest legal setting.
• Demonstrated experience in a supervisory or program management role, including direct oversight of attorneys and/or multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of social justice and ensuring access to justice for underserved populations.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop individuals and teams to achieve high performance and client-centered outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of civil legal practice areas relevant to LASROC’s service population, including familiarity with applicable substantive law, court procedures, and legal ethics requirements.
• Experience with grant administration, program reporting, and funder compliance in a nonprofit or legal services environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, community partners, funders, and other external stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience representing an organization publicly and before diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs and priorities across a multi-office, multi-county organization.
• Ability to travel as required; reliable transportation is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Extended periods of sitting at a desk or workstation while performing administrative tasks.
• Regular use of computers and other office equipment, requiring manual dexterity and visual concentration.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings, training sessions, or other events.
• Ability to communicate effectively with associates, supervisors, and external stakeholders in person, over the phone, or via email.
• Office-based environment with standard office equipment and ergonomic furniture.
• Exposure to typical office noises such as phone calls, conversations, and office equipment operation.
• Work will be performed in an in-office environment.
• Occasional travel may be required for attending training sessions, conferences, or other related events.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work schedule
• Paid Lunch Hour
• Employer contributions toward health and dental insurance plans
• Up to:
  • 15 days of vacation to start (based on experience)
  • 96 hours of sick leave
  • 48 hours of personal time
  • 14 paid holidays a year
  • $600 per year internet stipend
  • 3% match on the 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan of your choice
• Language differential for being proficient in a program-relevant language
• Professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer

The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.