Posted on November 13, 2012

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Executive Director

MISSION AND PROGRAMMING

VLA, formed in 1969, exists to provide pro bono arts-related legal representation to low-income individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations and a broad range of other services (legal counseling, educational programs, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution) to the arts community and the lawyers who serve them in order to achieve that goal. VLA believes that individual artists and arts organizations should understand certain legal and business matters to protect themselves and their creative endeavors.

VLA operates a variety of programs to fulfill its public mission. The largest program, Legal Services, helped over 11,000 artists last year in a number of ways: pro bono placements with volunteer attorneys for low-income artists and nonprofit arts organizations; in-house representation and counseling by VLA Staff Attorneys; the Art Law Line, a free legal hotline; and the VLA Legal Clinic, a regular forum to meet privately with an attorney to discuss arts-related legal issues. VLA also offers over 150 educational programs a year for the arts community; access to a public arts law resource library; and a speakers' bureau for arts and cultural organizations seeking experienced speakers. In addition, VLA's MediateArt program offers conflict resolution and negotiation services, as well as training access to a specialized mediation service for resolving arts-related disputes outside of the traditional legal framework.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director ("ED") oversees all day-to-day activities of the Organization, effectively as its CEO, CFO and COO all wrapped into one. The Executive Director thus oversees all of VLA's programming including legal services and educational programming, as well as hiring of staff, volunteers and interns, and supervising the legal and administrative staff. In addition to those oversight responsibilities, the Executive Director actively is involved in counseling and directly representing clients. In addition, the position requires interacting on a regular basis with the Board of Directors and its individual members, and oversight and significant involvement in the maintenance of VLA's budget and its fund raising efforts.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• A juris doctor ("JD")degree, with practice for at least ten (10) years, and membership in the New York State Bar.
• Demonstrated commitment to the arts and public interest law.
• Demonstrated managerial and leadership experience
• Ability to work with artists, law firms, and public interest and community groups.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience with arts law, including copyright and contracts.
• Experience in litigation or in managing litigation.
• Experience dealing with boards or senior management.
• Experience teaching and/or presenting training or CLE.
• Experience with fund raising.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Experience serving in an executive and/or board capacity of a nonprofit.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

VLA offers attractive compensation and benefits.

CLOSING DATE

Replies requested through November 21, 2012. Open until filled.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

FOR CONFIDENTIAL CONSIDERATION

VLA is working with the search firm Machlowitz Consultants, Inc. on this recruitment. All nominations, inquiries, and applications should be sent to Marilyn Machlowitz at the search firm and will be held in confidence.

Contact: resumes@machlowitz.com
Subject line: VLA

We regret it will not be possible to communicate with candidates except those who most closely match our requirements.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We are committed to enhancing our diverse academic community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion.

EO/AA Employer.

www.vlany.org