Chief Administrative Officer

Committee for Public Counsel Services - Boston, MA

Full-time - Senior

Boston, MA

Social Assistance

About the position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer to provide strategic advice and support to the Chief Counsel on the management of daily operations of the agency. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is a key member of the CPCS senior leadership team. The CAO provides strategic advice and support to the Chief Counsel on the management of daily operations of the agency, while acting as the point of contact between the Chief Counsel and legal and operations staff on administrative and operational issues. The CAO scopes, plans, and executes multiple projects that facilitate the Chief Counsel's leadership objectives, oversees the development and implementation of systems, policies, and procedures to ensure efficient operations of CPCS, and coordinates the successful accomplishment of CPCS goals, while managing a wide variety of competing interests and priorities that are both high profile and on tight timeframes. The CAO apprises the Chief Counsel on critical issues, works with stakeholders to identify alternative means for resolving issues, and coordinates implementation of solutions. In addition, the CAO supervises the Private Attorney Outreach Partners and oversees the Training Department, ensuring that appropriate training is provided to all staff and the private bar.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing and supporting agency operations, coordinating projects, facilitating the creation and adoption of new policies and procedures, supporting Facilities on space issues, and acting as the point of contact for manager and staff operations issues
• Overseeing agency projects
• Overseeing the Training Department which is headed by a Training Chief and includes groups of attorneys leading training in criminal, family regulation, delinquency, and mental health practice areas as well as forensic services and racial equity
• Overseeing the Private Attorney Outreach Partners who recruit private attorneys to join our various panels of attorneys
• Implementing the agency Staffing Plan, releasing positions, and, in coordination with HR, approving position postings and offers while tracking salary funding availability with the Finance Department
• Supporting and facilitating the development and implementation of strategic plans and agency goals
• Overseeing crisis management and communication
• Facilitating, coordinating, and implementing Chief Counsel directives including provision of guidance and support to senior leaders
• Other duties as requested or required

Requirements

• Be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts bar with at least 7 years of legal experience or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills
• 5 or more years as a manager supervising staff and/or operational units, or equivalent relevant experience
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely

Nice-to-haves

• More than 7 years' experience representing indigent clients in one or more CPCS practice areas
• Extensive knowledge of CPCS legal and operational systems
• Demonstrated experience managing large scale projects and teams
• Experience developing and delivering training
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and colleagues in a positive and professional manner leading to positive results