Associate Director - Musaliha International Center for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MICADR)

Company Description

The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is a not-for-profit NGO established in 2013 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, by Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, former Chief Justice of Sindh and former Supreme Court Judge. Dedicated to serving marginalized and underprivileged communities, LAS aims to reduce barriers to accessing justice. The organization combines the principles of equity, fairness, and inclusion to address challenges within the legal ecosystem. With its head office in Karachi and six district offices across Sindh, LAS focuses on both direct legal aid services and systemic change through legal empowerment. Recognized locally and internationally, LAS continues to support vulnerable communities throughout its 13 judicial districts in Sindh.

Position summary

The Associate Director will lead Musaliha International Center for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution MICADR’s transition towards financial sustainability by building its commercial infrastructure, driving revenue growth, and strengthening institutional partnerships. This is a senior leadership role with full authority to set commercial direction, build and manage the team, and ensure financial independence within a three-year horizon. The role reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for transforming MICADR into a self-sustaining institution.

Key responsibilities

1. Financial Leadership & Revenue Growth

• Own MICADR’s financial performance across training, cases, and corporate membership streams.
• Set annual revenue targets and monitor monthly performance.
• Hold pillar leads accountable for financial and operational outcomes.
• Develop innovative strategies to strengthen and diversify revenue generation.

2. Business Development & Institutional Partnerships

• Lead senior-level business development initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporates, law firms, chambers of commerce, judicial institutions, and government bodies.
• Convert institutional credibility into sustainable revenue pipelines and partnerships.

3. Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Recruit, onboard, and manage key team members including Training Manager, Cases Manager, BD & Membership Manager, and Operations Officer.
• Establish a high-performance culture with clear accountability structures.
• Provide strategic leadership across all operational pillars.

4. External Representation & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent MICADR at conferences, regulatory forums, judicial engagements, media appearances, and stakeholder events.
• Serve as a credible institutional face capable of engaging senior-level audiences.

5. Governance & Board Reporting

• Prepare and present quarterly P&L and performance reports to the Board.
• Provide clear analysis of revenue performance, pipeline status, and forward projections.
• Ensure execution aligns with Board-approved strategy.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in professional services, ADR, institutional management, legal sector, or related fields.
• Proven track record of owning revenue targets and delivering measurable financial results.
• Strong credibility in the corporate or legal market with an active senior network.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams without micromanagement.
• LL.B. or equivalent degree preferred. IMI accreditation or ADR certification is an advantage but not mandatory; commercial credibility is prioritized.
• Consistent year-on-year revenue growth across all three revenue pillars: training, cases, and corporate membership.
• Minimum 80% KPI achievement across all operational pillars each quarter.
• At least 6 senior-level business development engagements per quarter at C-suite or board level.
• Timely submission of all quarterly Board reports.
• Achievement of financial independence within three years through reduction of institutional subsidy.

Core responsibilities

• Ensure consistent year-on-year revenue growth across training, cases, and corporate membership.
• Achieve a minimum of 80% KPI performance across all operational pillars each quarter.
• Maintain institutional partnerships with at least six senior-level engagements per quarter.
• Ensure timely submission of quarterly Board reports.
• Drive MICADR towards financial independence within three years.

EEO & Non-Discrimination Statement:

Integrated into our shared values is LAS’s commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of sex, age, race, colour, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics or conduct protected by law. LAS is committed to being an inclusive organization where all people are treated fairly, recognized for their individuality, promoted based on performance and encouraged to strive to reach their full potential. We believe in understanding and respecting differences among all people. Every individual at LAS has an ongoing responsibility to respect and support a diverse environment.

Safeguarding & PSEA Commitment

Legal Aid Society (LAS) is committed to the prevention and protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). LAS explicitly prohibits its staff, associates, partners, consultants, or any other representatives associated with the delivery of its work from:

• Engaging in any form of sexual exploitation or abuse;
• Sexual activity with children (persons below the age of 18) irrespective of a mistaken belief of the age of the child which shall not amount to a defense;
• Exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favors or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior, is prohibited. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries of assistance;
• Sexual relationships between LAS staff and beneficiaries of assistance, since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics, undermine the credibility and integrity of the work of LAS and are strongly discouraged.