Chief Operating Officer; COO

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.

• 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; elevate 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.

• 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.

• 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.