Civil Division Director

JOB SUMMARY

The Civil Division Program Director serves as a member of the Senior Management Team consisting of the President & CEO, CFO, COO, and Director of the Juvenile Justice Division. As part of the Senior Management Team, this position will collaborate in the day-to-day management of The Legal Aid Society of Rochester. They will provide oversight and supervision of the Civil Division Programs, and are responsible for the implementation of all policies and procedures.

The Civil Division Director assists in the development of staff, programs and funding opportunities and assures that the highest level of legal services is provided.

• Key Member of the senior management team to provide overall strategic leadership for the management of the agency.
• Support and coach Program Directors and Supervisors to excel in their management responsibilities.
• Collaborate with the Program Directors and Supervisors to ensure the smooth operation and implementation of programs, standardized policies, and procedures; provide strategic direction and leadership regarding unit organization and growth.
• Partner with the CEO and COO to translate strategic priorities for the civil division into operational plans, policies, and procedures across all units.
• Meet regularly with Program Directors and Supervisors and communicate their needs to the Senior Management Team.
• Establish and maintain program policies, procedures, and case management standards consistent with the agency's mission, funder requirements, and applicable legal practice standards.
• Participate in the development, planning and management of the civil program budgets.
• Supervise and oversee Program Directors to ensure compliance and grant contracts and deliverables, providing direct supervision as it relates to this. Ensure the Program Directors and staff understand the objective and goals of each grant funding the unit.
• Work with the Grants Administration Team regarding grant management, including facilitating timely and accurate reporting to grant funders as necessary.
• Work with the COO and Grant Administration Team in the preparation of Civil Division grant applications and funding requests and lead in the management of program budgets and staff allocations.
• Oversee legal quality control across the Civil Division, including conducting periodic case file audits and practice reviews to ensure compliance with professional standards, grant requirements, and agency expectations.
• Ensure continuity of court coverage and caseload management across Civil Division units, including developing protocols for attorney absences, emergency coverage needs, and equitable distribution of case assignments.

• Provide strategic guidance and oversight to Program Directors and staff on complex civil litigation matters, including trial strategy, research, legal writing, and major case preparation; co-counsel or directly assist in significant or complex cases as operationally warranted.
• Oversee the professional development, mentoring, and continuing legal education of civil program staff across all supervised units, in alignment with agency goals and funder expectations.
• Lead and support Program Directors in conducting timely and meaningful performance evaluations, interim reviews, and case reviews for their respective staff.
• Partner with the COO and HR on human resources matters affecting program staff, including hiring, discipline, and termination decisions within supervised units.
• Work with the Program Directors and the COO to develop and implement appropriate on-boarding and training for programs staff including substantive law training, and practice skills development.
• Conduct interim and annual performance evaluations of Program Directors and Supervisors. Provide oversight and implementation of disciplinary and corrective performance actions as necessary.

• Ensure consistent, equitable, and trauma informed service delivery for clients across all program units, including maintaining accessible intake processes and responsive case handling.
• Serve as the escalation point for unresolved client complaints, staff concerns, or complex service delivery issues within the Civil Division, and escalation matters to the COO as appropriate.
• Along with the Program Directors and Program staff, ensure that Represent LASROC is represented at community partner meetings, collaborative initiatives, coalition tables, and public…