Program Manager-Committees and Projects

Introduction:

The California Lawyers Association (CLA) is the Bar association for all California attorneys.  We are a member-driven, mission-focused organization dedicated to the professional advancement of attorneys practicing in the state of California.  CLA has eighteen Sections including the New Lawyers Section (NLS) that share an area of interest in law and each offers top-tier programs, award winning conferences, events, and provides access to outstanding legal resources.  We continuously seek new ways to expand our offerings. Through premier educational, networking, and advocacy opportunities, our members can maintain expertise in their fields, build contacts, and uphold the legal profession and system. CLA also has several initiatives that support its mission of promoting excellence, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. 

CLA is committed to promoting excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. We are dedicated to the professional advancement of attorneys from a variety of diverse backgrounds practicing in the state of California. All CLA employees must demonstrate cultural fluency by proactively managing bias and maintaining sensitivity to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, and age of our members and the legal community.

Summary:

Under general direction of the Chief Governmental Affairs Officer , the  Program Manager-Committees and Projects (PM) exercises discretion and independent judgment to provide a broad range of administrative, technical and managerial services to assist the organization in accomplishing its strategic goals.

The PM works independently to manage the business of and primarily provide support to the CLA Committees including Committee meetings, programs, special projects, and other duties as assigned. Secondarily, the PM also may be asked to provide support to the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF).  The PM acts as a strategic advisor to committee leaders, offering input and direction to ensure alignment with CLA’s mission and long-term goals. Serving as the operational hub for CLA’s committees, the PM ensures cross-departmental communication and maintains the continuity of programs as leadership transitions occur annually. This position is key to advancing CLA’s mission through thought leadership, operational excellence, and high-level program management. This position requires overnight, out of town travel within California.

The PM performs a wide range of functions both independently and collaboratively. In addition to these responsibilities, the PM takes on numerous managerial and supervisory duties. This includes providing high-level administrative support to the senior leadership team, preparing reports and financial data, and effectively interacting with all levels of internal management, staff, clients, and vendors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a strategic advisor to committee leaders, providing high-level guidance to ensure committee initiatives align with the organizational strategy and goals
• Execute all logistics and operations for Committee activities and programs, including preparing and presenting agendas, minutes, project status reports, and administrative reports for Committees
• Research, analyze, create and update materials and resources to support initiative projects including project plans, toolkits, rosters, spreadsheets, web pages, PowerPoint decks, reports, brochures, program summaries, meeting summaries and other needed resources and materials
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration, ensuring efficient communication between committees, CLA’s Staff including Marketing, the Web Team and Member Services to optimize committee output
• Oversee the committee appointment process, including managing applications, tracking and organizing applicants, coordinating review sessions with committees, and communicating decisions to applicants to ensure a smooth and efficient selection process.
• Manage all aspects of special projects, initiatives, campaigns, challenges, competitions, and in-person events, from concept development through execution, ensuring alignment with organizational and committee goals
• Collaborate with the CLA President on the ABA House of Delegates appointments process, including updating appointment application, website updates, managing nominations, roster updates and coordinating with candidates
• Serve as an organization ambassador to the Committees, ensure relevant information is fully, accurately and timely communicated to member leaders
• Ensure that others on the professional team are aware of Committee decisions, events and activities that may impact them and ensure that the Committee is aware of decisions, event or activities happening in other parts of CLA
• Promote CLA activities to entice new membership and increase attendance
• Negotiate with outside vendors for a variety of services
• Manage and ensure compliance with CLA operational policies and procedures
• Respond promptly (within 24 hours) to member leaders’ questions, problem-solve issues that may arise and follow questions or issues through to resolution
• Establish and maintain high-level relationships with external stakeholders, driving partnerships that enhance CLA’s educational and professional development offerings
• Represent CLA at programs and other functions, coordinate Committee activities with other CLA staff and outside agencies
• Coordinate the development of publicity, materials, speakers, registration and programs for CLA MCLE programs
• Assume primary responsibility in the management and operation of budgetary, administrative procedures and coordination and maintenance of the Office, department, or unit workflow requirements
• Prepare, recommend and manage the departmental budget, including but not limited to monthly and yearly financial analysis of cost center(s), payment of invoices, monitoring expenditures and revenue accounts
• Conduct major research and analysis of data and information, reports findings and makes appropriate recommendations for solution of administrative problems
• Establish and maintain relationships with outside entities and individuals regarding the operation of and/or special projects for the Office
• Assist with coordinating the implementation of new programs and administrative procedures and may be responsible for their operation
• Consult with Committee Chairs and staff members regarding agendas, planning logistics, programs and projects.
• Support the CLA leadership team as necessary
• Help support the California Lawyers Foundation as necessary
• Handle organizational and administrative tasks at meetings and prepare action summaries
• Perform other related duties which may not be specifically included with this description but are consistent with the general level of the the responsibilities described

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or equivalent
• Three to five years of experience organizing and managing projects/programs        
• Minimum two years of supervisory experience
• Principles and techniques of budget preparation and management
• Methods of analyzing and synthesizing the specific policies, programs, projects and procedures to which the position is assigned, as well as how each interacts with the general policies, programs, projects and procedures of CLA
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor staff and lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of computer information systems, including personal computer applications, spreadsheet programs, word processing, graphics, network systems
• Requires strong research skills, flexibility, excellent interpersonal abilities and project coordination experience