Interim Executive Director

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : 140,000-160,000

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 organizations 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 CLSs 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 CLSs future

Responsibilities and Ideal Candidate Experience

Connection to the Mission

Strategic Leadership

External Relations and Fundraising

Organizational Leadership

Board Relations

Organizational Culture

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

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 candidates 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 :

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 transformationwe welcome your application.

Please submit an application with a cover letter and resume in PDF format through our application portal in BambooHR.

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.