Managing Director, Representation

## Job Title: Managing Director, Representation

**Reporting Office:** New York City; Washington, DC; or Los Angeles
**Department:** Refugee and Immigrant Rights
**Job Classification:** Full‑time; Exempt
**Supervisor:** Vice President, Refugee and Immigrant Rights
**Union Classification:** Non‑Union
**Accountable To:** Chief Operating Officer, President & CEO
**Last Updated:** 5/18/2026

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## Purpose of the Job

The Managing Director, Representation leads and manages Human Rights First’s Refugee and Immigrant Rights Representation program, which provides high‑quality pro bono legal assistance and representation to indigent immigrants seeking protection in the United States, through direct representation and partnership with lawyers at the nation’s top law firms. The Managing Director oversees representation staff focused on the New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. metro areas and leads engagement with the vast pro bono network the organization has nurtured over many decades. Our pro bono partners contributed more than 90,000 hours at a value of over $90 million in pro bono legal hours in 2025.

The Managing Director works closely with the VP, Refugee and Immigrant Rights, and the Director of Policy in the Refugee and Immigrant Rights department to ensure successful integration of the organization’s mission into the Refugee and Immigrant Rights work. They also collaborate with colleagues in other programmatic areas, including International Human Rights, Democracy in Action, and Innovation Lab teams, and engage with Communications and Development in support of the representation team’s work.

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## Major Duties and Responsibilities

### Leadership
Lead and manage Human Rights First’s Refugee and Immigrant Rights (RIR) Representation work:

– Engage in direct representation or pro bono mentorship of asylum cases.
– Guide the Representation team in zealous, creative, high‑quality, and cutting‑edge legal representation of clients.
– Liaise with senior management of the RIR department to develop and manage strategic vision, set team goals, and achieve these goals.
– Ensure effective systems to track progress and regularly evaluate program components.
– Develop and retain a high‑performance staff.
– Ensure close coordination with the policy wing of the RIR department.

### Operational Planning and Management
Manage national team of lawyers and legal services coordinators:

– Working with managing attorneys, oversee and manage the team’s caseload and ensure sustainability of representation work.
– Assess and review team offices and programs; lead initiatives to streamline caseloads to effectively respond to urgent protection needs.
– Quantitatively and qualitatively measure effectiveness of team’s work, including tracking and communicating case data.
– Oversee grant reporting tied to case data.
– Working with department leadership, recruit and retain a diverse team of empowered, valued, knowledgeable, and experienced professionals, including interns and fellows.
– Ensure that Human Rights First maximizes fellowship opportunities.

### Community Outreach and Advocacy
Develop and strengthen Human Rights First’s partnerships with the legal community:

– Serve as ambassador articulating the Refugee Representation team and Human Rights First’s mission and key message points.
– Create new and nurture existing partnerships with community stakeholders, including the vast network of pro bono partners across the country.
– Regularly communicate with current and past Human Rights First volunteers and other stakeholders.
– Coordinate pro bono opportunities for Human Rights First supporters.
– Strengthen Human Rights First’s networks with the legal community.

### Fundraising and Resource Development
Collaborate with the Development team to raise money to support legal programs and initiatives:

– Work closely with the VP for RIR and the Development team to secure public and private funds, including preparing foundation reports and proposals.
– Conduct outreach to current and prospective donors, including law firms, foundations, governmental entities, and individuals.
– Support donor campaigns, including award dinners and other events.
– Perform other duties as requested based on department and/or organizational need.

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## Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Competencies (DEIA)

Human Rights First acknowledges the existence of systemic and structural biases and believes it is necessary to be strategic and intentional in pursuing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of governance, operations, and programming. As an employee, you are expected to:

– Support adoption of best practices to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work experience for colleagues and external partners.
– Strive to consider the people, places, and cultures that might be missing from your work and look for opportunities to increase inclusivity.
– Support the mission of Human Rights First in all interactions with colleagues and stakeholders.
– Dedicate efforts to enriching DEIA consciousness throughout office‑wide interactions.
– Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by promoting adherence to the standards delineated in the Culture of Respect and Teamwork statement in the Employee Handbook.

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## Supervisor Responsibilities

As a supervisor, you are responsible for the performance of your direct reports. You should guide, train, support, and motivate your team members to help them accomplish their job‑specific goals. You must be knowledgeable of their responsibilities and able to accomplish tasks in their absence. Building trust is vital to a healthy work relationship.

### Performance Management

– Set clear performance goals at the start of each annual performance period.
– Meet weekly with direct reports to discuss progress on projects, priorities, and goals.
– Assist with workflow and bandwidth management; ensure understanding of duties and delegated tasks.
– Provide timely and ongoing constructive feedback, including soliciting feedback from colleagues in other departments.
– Document progress of individual goals and administer annual and mid‑year performance reviews.
– Support and assist in planning professional development activities and identifying growth opportunities.

### Administration

– Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by establishing and enforcing organizational standards and adhering to legal regulations.
– Develop and update employee job descriptions as necessary.
– Approve timekeeping records in a timely manner.

### Leadership

– Assist direct reports with ongoing coaching and counseling.
– Provide quick and appropriate resolution of challenges, discrepancies, and miscommunications.
– Share, support, and carry out decisions made by organizational management.
– Ensure adherence to Human Rights First’s personnel policies and practices.
– Foster a culture of accountability and fairness.
– Support an innovative workplace that encourages creativity and new ideas.
– Recognize the contributions of direct reports in meaningful ways.

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## Required Knowledge, Skill, and Experience

The successful candidate must embrace the core values and mission of Human Rights First and possess deep experience in asylum law and removal defense. Qualifications include:

– A law degree from an accredited law school and at least 10 years of legal experience, including managing nonprofit legal programs and handling complex immigration and asylum matters.
– Active member in good standing of a state bar, ideally California, New York, or the District of Columbia.
– Five or more years of supervisory experience at increasingly high levels of responsibility.
– Excellence in organizational management, including coaching staff, developing high‑performance teams, setting strategic objectives, and managing budgets.
– A proven track record of increasing revenue through lead generation is desirable.
– Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated through positive working relationships.
– Experience in budgeting and resource allocation at a departmental level.
– Demonstrated ability to make timely decisions, evaluate results, identify obstacles, and redirect when necessary.
– Superior oral and written communication skills.
– Strong conflict management, resolution, and negotiation skills.
– Ability to travel, primarily among HRF offices.

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## Pay Range

**$140,000 – $150,000 per year**

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