Deputy Director of Programs in Kansas City, Missouri at Legal Aid of Western Missouri

Legal Aid of Western Missouri is entering an exciting new chapter. With a new Executive Director in place, the organization is building out a senior leadership team positioned to strengthen and expand Legal Aid's impact across its 40-county service area. Legal Aid has grown in recent years and is deeply committed to ensuring that its programs and staff are resourced, aligned, and supported to meet the growing civil legal needs of the communities we serve. The Deputy Director of Programs will be a foundational member of the leadership team, working alongside the Executive Director to set strategic direction, elevate program quality, and advance Legal Aid's advocacy priorities.

Job Purpose

The Deputy Director of Programs is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring Legal Aid's legal programs operate with consistency, quality, and alignment with the organization's mission. Overseeing all of Legal Aid's offices and managing attorneys, the Deputy Director of Programs drives the delivery of high-quality civil legal aid and leads the organization's advocacy priorities across Legal Aid's 40-county service area.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Supervision

• Provide strategic oversight and direction for all legal programs, including direct supervision of managing attorneys in Legal Aid’s six offices.
• Set and maintain high standards for the quality, efficiency, and impact of legal representation and client services that are responsive to client and community needs; support managing attorneys on complex and innovative legal matters.
• Foster a supportive, learning-oriented culture among staff including mentorship, professional development, and attention to staff wellbeing and retention; proactively manage workload distribution across offices to support sustainable practice.

Legal Quality & Compliance

• Advance the strategic direction of client services, such as identifying unmet legal needs, expanding access for underserved populations, and ensuring programs evolve to meet the changing needs of the communities Legal Aid serves.
• Oversee case management processes and ensure compliance with professional responsibility and funding obligations.
• Maintain current knowledge of law across the organization's practice areas; develop and deliver training and educational resources on internal policies, procedures, and substantive legal topics.
• Coordinate with the Director of Operations to regularly evaluate and improve operational support for programs and staff, maximizing impact for Legal Aid's clients.

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a senior leadership team member, contributing to organizational planning, policy development, and strategic priorities in partnership with the Executive Director and Board.
• Collaborate with the organization’s Development, Finance, Human Resources, and Client Access teams on grant applications, funder reporting, budget planning, compliance, recruiting, complex employee relations, and client access matters.
• Represent the organization externally in coalitions, bar association activities, courts, and community partnerships.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar license (or eligibility for admission) in Missouri.
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil legal aid, public interest law, or access to justice.
• Proven track record managing or leading legal programs or practice groups
• Strong supervisory skills with experience managing attorneys and non-attorney staff, including experience leading teams through organizational change.
• Ability to analyze complex legal and organizational issues and exercise sound judgment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience in funder and stakeholder communication.
• Experience with case management systems and program data tracking.
• Demonstrated ability to work across diverse teams and foster an inclusive, equitable workplace culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in multiple civil legal aid practice areas (e.g., housing, family law, public benefits, consumer, immigration).
• Familiarity with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience with trauma-informed practices and working with clients who are experiencing a crisis.
• Experience with strategic planning, program design, or organizational development.
• Prior experience in leadership at a nonprofit legal organization.
• Relationships with local courts, the bar, and community organizations across Legal Aid’s service area.

Location

This role will be based in our Kansas City Central office. Travel between Legal Aid’s seven offices will be required. Although a regular presence in the office is required, Legal Aid offers flexible and remote work arrangements to support employees in co-creating schedules that allow us all to do our best work.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $120,000- $180,000 based on years of experience and Legal Aid’s formal salary scale. To allow for salary growth within the position over time, the anticipated hiring range for this position is between $120,000 – $150,000. Placement on the range will be based on factors such as years of relevant experience, budget, and internal parity. Legal Aid offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement contributions; generous leave policies; and support for continuing legal education and bar dues.

How to Apply

To apply, please begin the application and submit the following:

1. Cover letter,
2. Resume,
3. A list of three references.

Applications received by June 22, 2026, will receive priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

The Organization

Legal Aid of Western Missouri provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to people who need it most and can afford it least. With offices in Kansas City, Joplin, St. Joseph and Warrensburg, we serve a 40-county area where 295,000 people live in poverty. By providing free legal representation to people facing financial hardship or life-changing challenges, Legal Aid helps ensure that justice is accessible to everyone—not just those who can afford it.

LAWMO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact Human Resources Department at EEO@lawmo.org.