Careers

At ALA, we achieve great things together! We are nimble and act with a sense of urgency to exceed member expectations and contribute to their success. Through candid, honest communications, with a quest to understand, we create a collaborative and engaging workplace. We are accountable to each other, encouraging and respecting everyone’s opinion, to successfully achieve the goals of the Association.

ALA Core Values

• Work with a Sense of Urgency. We act promptly and efficiently to exceed the expectations of our members and constituents.
• Embrace Diversity and Demonstrate Inclusion. We celebrate our diversity as individuals and recognize its power to strengthen the organization through the collaboration of our talents, skills, and experiences.
• Act with Integrity. We build trust through open and honest communication based on mutual respect; speak thoughtfully, encourage and value diversity of opinion, be authentic.
• Be Accountable. We take ownership for the quality of our individual work, but also take pride in what we deliver as a team. We are committed to personal excellence and self-improvement.
• Be Creative. We use our imagination to drive the innovation of new services, products, and processes, while enjoying an atmosphere where we can have fun and still get our work done.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position will lead the Finance and Operations department, providing strategic direction and oversight of processes and outcomes for the overall finance/ accounting functions of the organization, overseeing the information technology functions for all the stakeholders, and ensuring the internal operations support the organization’s business continuity needs. Manages, supervises, coaches, and trains the finance, IT, and operations staff teams while driving business processes to improve efficiency, mitigate risks, and provide solutions to meet organizational goals. They will play a critical role in partnering with the executive management team in enterprise-wide strategic decision-making.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Management

1. Manages the annual audit preparation, tax filings, budget development, and overall implementation of financial policies and procedures for ALA and the ALA Foundation.
2. Leads the annual budget development process, monitors expenditures and variances, and proactively updates income and expense projections.
3. Makes recommendations on the management of the operating budget and provides guidance to program managers about their budgetary responsibilities. Exercises final review for all organizational budgets.
4. Prepares monthly and ad hoc financial reports for the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
5. Leads investment policy development, portfolio design and implementation, and regular performance monitoring; charts cash flow and ensures cash flow needs and adherence to Investment Policy.
6. Supervises the Finance staff to ensure timely and accurate bookkeeping, bank deposits, receivables and payables.
7. Performs balance sheet reconciliations (bank accounts, investments, prepaids, deposits, accruals, depreciation, etc.) and prepares month-end close.
8. Negotiates, prepares, and monitors vendor and consultant contracts; contributes to the development of and recommends modifications to the scope of work of enterprise-wide third-party service providers as appropriate.
9. Coordinates the integration of financial and IT systems operations at events.
10. Develops, documents, implements, and regularly updates the department’s operating systems and procedures.
11. Serves as liaison to the Board Treasurer, the Finance Committee, and the Budget and Reporting Task Force.
12. Ensures all fiscal policies, procedures and documentation requirements are adequate to protect the organization.

Operations, Technology and Systems

1. Directs and supervises the IT staff and the functions they support.
2. Oversees management and maintenance of all office systems and facilities.
3. Maintains records of all contracts; monitors/reports on renewal deadlines and payment schedules.
4. Develops and oversees document retention policies and manages disposal of records.
5. Works with the Executive Director and Human Resources to develops and oversee risk assessment and emergency planning policies and procedures.
6. Oversees organizational insurance policies and ensures organization is adequately covered.
7. Ensures emergency and security policies and procedures are understood and followed, including cyber-security procedures.
8. Functions as the organization’s Privacy Officer to ensure that its Privacy Policy is reviewed and updated annually and in compliance with industry standards as well as relevant federal, state, and international laws related to privacy, security, confidentiality, and protection of information resources.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. At least 10 years of professional experience, with a minimum of 8 years of broad financial and operations management experience.
2. Ability to develop, follow, interpret, and communicate complex financial reports and procedures.
3. Knowledge and understanding of Generally Acceptable Accounting Principles (GAAP).
4. Expert knowledge of accounting platform such as MS Dynamics, QuickBooks, etc.
5. Exemplary business acumen with excellent communication skills for negotiating effectively with staff, members, and outside vendors.
6. Organizational skills needed to prioritize multiple projects, schedule workflow, develop and improve procedures, reduce costs, and plan space. Must be able to work independently, with minimum supervision and high attention to details.
7. Excellent computer literacy, with advanced knowledge of MS Office, SharePoint, and Adobe Acrobat software.
8. Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of ALA.
9. Ability to thrive as part of a team with diverse experience, expertise, skills, and objectives.
10. Ability to stand firm on essential accounting and fiscal compliance and documentation needs.
11. Bachelor’s degree

PREFERRED:

1. Experience working in a professional association, nonprofit environment
2. Knowledge of iMIS or equivalent association management CRM platform.
3. Experience managing, coaching, training direct reports.
4. MBA/CPA or equivalent education, certifications

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to Executive Director

SUPERVISORY REPSONSIBILITES:

Oversees the Finance, IT, and Operations staff

WORKING CONDITIONS (if applicant resides in Chicago-area with access to home office):

1. Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature, etc.
2. Intermittent and on occasion prolonged physical activity including standing, walking, bending, reaching and long periods of sitting. Prolonged use of video display terminal.
3. Occasional overnight travel required to national, regional, and local events in the United States, Canada and/or overseas.
4. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to move office supplies and files weighing up to 40 lbs. As required, may retrieve, and replace objects from shelves of up to 8 feet high.
5. Work frequently requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements.opfi

Equal Opportunity Statement

ALA maintains a strong commitment to creating and preserving equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. Our equal employment opportunity philosophy applies to all aspects of employment with ALA, including job benefits, social activities, hiring, recruiting, training, promotion, compensation, and other personnel matters. All employment-related decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender (or sex), sexual identity, national origin, age, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, order of protection status, pregnancy, arrest record, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other legally protected status. Compliance with this policy is required of all employees. Violations of this policy should be immediately reported to the Director of Human Resources, the Executive Director or your manager.

About Association of Legal Administrators

Our Mission: ALA is the premier professional association connecting leaders and managers within the legal industry. We provide extensive professional development, collaborative peer communities, strategic operational solutions, and business partner connections empowering our members to lead the business of law. Located near O'Hare Airport in Chicago, IL, our staff continued to deliver programs and products that provide high-quality, competency-based education to our members, creatively using Hangouts, Zoom meetings, and Roundtables as we worked remotely. Currently, we remain working remotely with one day in the office per week. Our educational programming, Coronavirus Response page, and award-winning publications continue to guide our members through unforeseen challenges. Our culture is built on collaboration, trust and respect. If you are interested in joining a great professional team that believes in a diverse and inclusive culture creating a place for us to achieve great things together, we want to hear from you. We offer comprehensive benefits that begin the first of the month after your date of hire (medical, dental, short and long-term disability, life insurance,... 401(k) retirement plan, and other voluntary benefit options) with generous time off and very flexible work options. To learn more about us, visit alanet.org

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