Committees Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded with a mission to advance the rule of law in the United States and globally. The organization provides practical resources for legal professionals, conducts law school accreditation, and develops model ethics codes. The ABA is a member-based organization dedicated to ensuring access to justice, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law. The ABA is committed to refining the standards that guide the legal profession and offers various continuing education and career development opportunities for its staff. The organization values the contributions of its employees and provides a generous benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, and additional perks such as a complimentary membership to the ABA.

Job Overview:
The Committees Manager plays a crucial role in managing the substantive aspects of committee operations within the Section. This position involves coordinating research and policy development with committee chairs, assisting in drafting substantive reports, and managing online content for committee web pages. The Committees Manager is responsible for the overall organization of committees, including the appointment and voting processes, and the development of committee meetings, roundtables, and seminars. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the incoming Section Chair, to ensure effective committee management and to make recommendations for appointments to committee leadership positions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Committees Manager will develop, administer, and coordinate all committees, subcommittees, and task forces. Key responsibilities include researching and recommending the development of substantive policy, overseeing the committee vice-chair corps, managing online content for committee web pages, and coordinating the overall organization of committees. The manager will work closely with the incoming Section Chair to develop a reporting system for committee performance and assist with the appointment process for committee leadership. Additionally, the Committees Manager will manage the committee lists process and perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university or have equivalent experience. A degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field is preferred. While legal training is not required, candidates should demonstrate an aptitude for quickly learning substantive issues relevant to the section. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with databases and web development are essential. Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills are critical for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university is required, with a focus on public policy or public administration being preferred. Equivalent work experience may also be considered in lieu of a formal degree. Candidates should be prepared to engage with complex legal and policy issues, even if they do not have a formal legal background.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have relevant experience in committee management, policy development, or a related field. While specific years of experience are not stated, candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of organizational dynamics and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively. Experience in a legal or professional association setting is advantageous but not mandatory.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for communication and documentation purposes. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in a diverse legal environment.

Additional Notes:
The position may offer flexible or hybrid work arrangements for residents of specific states, including CA, DC, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. The ABA provides eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) for its employees. The job typically requires travel approximately 3-4 times a year, and the work environment is described as a typical office setting.