Program Leadership Team Manager

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country.  We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change.   We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections.  We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.

The Program Leadership Team (PLT) Manager partners closely with the Senior Vice President of Program, along with the Vice Presidents of Litigation, Policy and Legislation, and Communications, to manage the work of the PLT.  As a member of the PLT, the Manager sets agendas, keeps the team on task, manages high-priority projects, convenes stakeholders, develops recommendations, and manages information flow to and from the PLT.  

Responsibilities:

Manage and facilitate the work of the Program Leadership Team (75%)

• Works with the SVP and other team members to set priorities for the Program Leadership Team, scoping projects and tracking their execution.
• Directs the day-to-day functioning of the group, setting agendas, designing and driving team processes, running effective meetings, and working with SVP to ensure informed, transparent, and timely decision-making.
• Serves as point of contact for scheduling meetings and video/conference calls between Earthjustice staff and the PLT.
• Independently ensures that the PLT is communicating effectively throughout the organization and supports staff-wide communications from the SVP.
• Drafts or delegates drafting of PLT program and strategy documents and internal communications.
• With the support of the Internal Events Team, partners with the SVP and other PLT members to plan and execute PLT.
• Tracks and manages dates and deliverables requiring PLT participation such as planning meetings, budget calendars,
• Project manages key initiatives of the PLT, ensuring deadlines are met and outcomes achieved.
• In partnership with Internal Communications team, participate or ensures PLT participation in relevant internal calls.
• In partnership with new matter approval team, assign new matter approval duties to PLT members.
• Serves on agenda steering committee for All Staff Meeting, ensuring that the PLT is updated on process and offers timely feedback. 

Participate as a member of the PLT (10%)

• Serves as a member of the PLT, which leads strategic program planning and prioritizes and coordinates Earthjustice’s program activity to make sure that we achieve our goals.
• Contributes to positive PLT team dynamics.

Supervise staff work on PLT projects (10%)

•  Plans and executes PLT projects that require non-PLT staff resources, supervising those staff to make sure that the project meets deadlines and goals.
• Undertakes any other duties or projects that may be reasonably required, and deal with matters arising in a timely and effective manner.

Qualifications:

An ideal candidate will have demonstrated the ability to: 

• Prioritize, manage, and complete multiple complex tasks despite time pressure and unexpected challenges.
• Plan, manage, and execute projects.
• Influence stakeholders, partners, and other PLT members to work on projects without having direct authority over them.
• Work comfortably with the President and Earthjustice executives, trustees and high profile individuals and organizations.
• Maintain the confidence of PLT discussions, and handle confidential and/or sensitive issues tactfully, discreetly, and diplomatically.
• Develop relationships with internal staff across geographies as necessary.
• Think strategically, anticipate challenges, envision growth and embrace change.
• Contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

The candidate must have: 

• Humility, empathy, and a sense of humor.
• High ethical standards.
• Emotional intelligence and cultural competency.
• A positive, outgoing, and “can-do” attitude. 
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The confidence and tact necessary to give constructive feedback to all staff, up to and including the SVP and President.
• A willingness to receive feedback and adapt in response.
• An awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.

Education and Additional Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in relevant field a plus.
• Experience working with senior leadership at a large organization.
• Experience with traditional business software tools including Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience learning about and adopting newer scheduling, planning, and productivity technologies such as Slack, Google documents, Trello, and Calendly.
• Understanding of environmental law and policy preferred.
• Experience with public interest legal work preferred.
• Outlook experience preferred. 

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer an extremely friendly work environment and a casual dress code. 

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit requested documents online via the Jobvite system:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Three professional references. Please include your salary expectations in your cover letter.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco:  Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles:  We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.