Senior Vice President, External Affairs

Reports to: President and Chief Executive Officer

Location: Washington, D.C. or New York / New Jersey metro area. Hybrid.

Travel: Approximately 30 to 40 percent required.

Compensation: Base salary of $220,500, plus an annual performance bonus opportunity of up to 20 percent of base salary, based on organizational and individual performance.

About MCCA

For nearly thirty years, MCCA has expanded equal access to opportunity in the corporate legal profession through research, leadership development, and convenings. It has awarded more than $4 million in law school scholarships. MCCA operates with an approximately $5 million annual budget and marks its thirtieth anniversary in 2027.

Our Business and Next Chapter

Research is the foundation of MCCA’s work. Data and findings inform leadership programs, conferences, and advisory services that strengthen the legal leadership pipeline. Conferences convene subject matter experts and leaders to share knowledge, experience, and research that participants can apply within their organizations.

MCCA’s next chapter connects these strengths in a sustainable business model. Convenings and membership relationships surface client needs and connect them with C-Suite Leadership programs (CSL), advisory services, and coaching. Practical results build enduring relationships and repeat engagement; diversified revenue sustains investment in the mission. The SVP, External Affairs will shape the convening portfolio, grow its financial contribution, and build the team and improve the systems supporting this strategy.

The Role

The SVP, External Affairs will lead and grow MCCA’s conference, events, and law firm membership business, with accountability for financial performance, compelling programming, and execution. This hands-on executive will build the team and capabilities supporting MCCA’s next chapter and is expected to assume full, independent ownership of the portfolio on day one.

The role partners with the SVP, Strategy & Operations, who leads research, advisory and professional services, and the corporate membership business.

What This Role Owns

• Conference business and P&L. Lead Pathways and GTEC strategy from planning and execution, including substantive programming, all conference and virtual CLEs, sponsorship, registration, and delivery. Own revenue growth, expense management, and net financial contribution; recommend offerings to grow, redesign, or consolidate.Integrate non-CLE CSL programming, whose content, faculty, learning objectives, and approved track budget are owned by the SVP, Strategy & Operations.
• Gala and other convenings. Lead Gala operations, including the 2027 thirtieth anniversary Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Dinner with Friends, town halls, and awards events. Own expense budgets and execution, support CEO-led Gala fundraising, and coordinate honoree and VIP requirements with Strategy & Operations.
• Law firm membership business. Own acquisition, retention, renewals, upgrades, and financial performance for MCCA’s law firm membership portfolio, coordinating designated institutional relationships with the CEO.
• Team and operating infrastructure. Build the team, and manage the vendor relationships supporting the portfolio. Serve as day-to-day owner of the portfolio’s platforms, including Cvent for events and registration, Salesforce for membership and sponsorship records, Mailchimp for communications, and Qualtrics for event surveys, and serve as a consulted partner on organization-wide systems and automation led by Strategy & Operations. Recruit and supervise the funded Manager of Events position, which may be filled at Director level depending on the candidate.

Experience and Qualifications

• Ten or more years of progressive experience in events, external affairs, sponsorship, or membership leadership, including senior ownership of a multi-event portfolio.
• Demonstrated accountability for a conference or comparable business P&L, with measurable results in revenue generation, expense management, and net financial contribution.
• A record of personally securing sponsorship or partnership revenue through direct solicitation of senior corporate or law firm decision makers, together with experience retaining and growing member or client relationships.
• Experience developing substantive conference programs and producing high-profile events for senior professional audiences. Experience coordinating CLE is preferred.
• A record of building effective processes, using automation, managing vendors, and leading staff while remaining directly involved in execution.
• Hands-on proficiency with event management, CRM, and email marketing platforms, such as Cvent, Salesforce, and Mailchimp, and the ability to operate them independently.
• Credibility with legal leadership in the private sector. Legal industry experience is preferred.
• Sound judgment, discretion, financial discipline, and the ability to coordinate across peer executive portfolios.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary of $220,500, plus an annual performance bonus opportunity of up to 20 percent of base salary, based on organizational and individual performance. MCCA offers a generous benefit package and fifteen days of paid vacation.

The role offers the opportunity for expanded executive responsibility based on demonstrated performance and organizational needs.

The cover letter should describe a conference, sponsorship, or membership portfolio you led, the revenue you personally secured, the changes you made, and the measurable financial results, including expense management and net contribution where applicable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MCCA is committed to equal pay for equal work and to equal employment opportunity. MCCA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, genetic information, parental or pregnancy status, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.