Who We Are
Columbia Legal Services (CLS) is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization that advances social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty. We support communities and movements by bringing deep legal expertise that is grounded in – and strongly guided by – an understanding of race equity.
We seek systemic solutions by bringing class action lawsuits, using cutting edge legal theories, engaging in policy advocacy, and supporting communities in building their own power. We have a special responsibility to serve people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalized or immigration status.
At CLS we seek a team that reflects our organizational values of community, race equity, and justice. This includes hiring staff with connections to the communities we serve whenever possible, and a commitment to strive for justice and equity in our hiring practices and in our staff culture.
Position Summary
The Interim Executive Director will guide Columbia Legal Services through a critical chapter of transition. They will provide executive oversight, rebuild trust, strengthen staff cohesion, and help reset the organization’s strategic priorities. While a law degree is not required, candidates should have law-adjacent experience and a strong understanding of movement lawyering, legal advocacy, or policy change. Within the first 90 days, they will be expected to provide the Board of Directors with clear recommendations related to organizational structure, leadership, and cultural priorities.
Key Deliverables
- Conduct a cultural and organizational assessment and provide recommendations within 90 days
- Oversee internal operations, staffing, and resource alignment
- Lead change management strategies and build internal accountability systems
- Support and manage union relations and staff morale
- Set short- and medium-term priorities in alignment with CLS’s values and mission
- Strengthen fund development, including grant writing and funder relationships
- Build relationships with community partners and act as a public spokesperson
- Partner with the Board and senior leadership to sustain operations and shape CLS’s future
Responsibilities and Ideal Candidate Experience
Connection to the Mission
- Deep understanding of CLS’s core work and affected communities
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, anti-Blackness work, and social justice
- Experience advancing mission-aligned, community-informed initiatives
Strategic Leadership
- Skilled in assessing organizational health and identifying cultural misalignment
- Ability to guide teams through transition with transparency and inclusion
- Demonstrated experience in setting interim strategic direction without a full strategic plan
External Relations and Fundraising
- Track record in cultivating donors and managing institutional funder relationships
- Comfort with public speaking, legal advocacy, and media engagement
- Familiarity with grant writing, reporting, and financial stewardship of public/private funds
Organizational Leadership
- Proficient in managing operations, compliance, and human resources
- Experience overseeing budgets, fiscal controls, and nonprofit financial health
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and empower managers
Board Relations
- Proven ability to engage, advise, and partner with Board leadership
- Experience in nonprofit governance, Board development, and transparent reporting
Organizational Culture
- Demonstrated ability to foster a healthy, inclusive, and healing-centered workplace
- Skilled in addressing anti-Blackness and systemic inequities in staff culture
- Experience creating safe pathways for staff to raise and resolve concerns
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, human resources, or related field or equivalent professional experience
- 5 years of senior leadership experience, with at least three years of experience managing others.
- Background in the legal, public policy, or nonprofit advocacy field
- Demonstrated success in change management and conflict resolution
- Experience working with labor unions and collective bargaining agreements
- Proven leadership with system-impacted communities, particularly immigrants and incarcerated individuals
- Familiarity with nonprofit governance, Board relations, and fund development
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (JD, MPA, MA in Organizational Development, or similar)
- Knowledge of Washington State’s racial justice, legal, and policy landscape
- Strong communication, facilitation, and consensus-building skills
- Ability to integrate equity across HR, finance, and organizational infrastructure
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $140, 000 - $160,000, based on a range of 7-40(+) years’ experience. Salary will be determined based on the candidate’s role-specific skills, management- and/or director-level work, and lived experience.
This temporary full-time, exempt position is a confidential role and is not eligible for representation by Washington Legal Workers, our in-house labor union.
CLS has a 35-hour workweek, though temporary deviations from the normal work schedule occur from time to time. We also offer a comprehensive compensation package including the following:
- 14 paid holidays annually
- Winter Break office closure between Christmas and New Year’s
- 12 sick days annually
- 15-21 paid vacation days annually (based on years of experience)
- 3-5 personal days annually (based on years of experience)
- Early office closure the first Friday of the month
- Paid parental and family medical leave benefits
Additionally, we pay 100% of employee premiums for excellent health, vision, and dental benefits plus 50% of the maximum out-of-pocket deductible and offer heavily subsidized family premiums.
We also offer a 403(b) retirement benefit with employer contribution and a match, disability and life insurance, a subsidized transit pass, and an employee wellness program.
Join Columbia Legal Services
This is a rare opportunity to lead a bold, mission-driven legal organization committed to advancing systemic equity and justice in Washington State. If you bring clarity, compassion, and a commitment to transformation—we welcome your application.
Please submit an application with a cover letter and resume in PDF format through our application portal in BambooHR.
- Include a writing sample (max two pages) such as a grant narrative or similar, demonstrating grant writing experience.
- Top finalists will be asked to create and deliver a presentation as part of the hiring process.
We accept and review applications on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received August 28, 2025. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email the Human Resources Team at careers(at) columbialegal (dot)org.
We are committed to an environment of mutual respect, collaboration, and equal opportunity for all employees, and strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, people who have been affected by mass incarceration, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We believe in building and sustaining an organization that is reflective of the communities we serve, and is diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory,mentaland physical abilities. We believe that the resulting diversity is both a source of program strength and a matter of fundamental human fairness.