Back to all jobs

- Seniority
- Lead
About the role
<h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>About the team:</strong></span></h3>
<p><span class="TextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8">The</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8"> Greater Justice New York</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8"> GJNY Program Director is responsible for leading the program’s work—from a macro-level vision of what Vera’s role is in reforming New York’s criminal justice and public safety systems to the micro-level day-to-day responsibility of supervision, management, fundraising, relationship building, and delivering on the work itself. You serve as Vera’s lead expert on New York’s criminal justice issues and opportunities for reform, both as an internal thought partner within the institute and as an external representative to other stakeholders in the field. Though you primarily </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8">operate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8"> within the scope of Vera’s 501(c)(3) function, you </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8">frequently</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8"> will collaborate with Vera Action, Vera’s 501(c)(4) sister organization. GJNY’s program director leads an </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW18256203 BCX8">8-10 person</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18256203 BCX8"> team. </span></span><span class="EOP Selected SCXW18256203 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"469777462":[720],"469777927":[0],"469777928":[8]}"> </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>About the role:</strong></span></h3>
<p><span class="TextRun SCXW175389490 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175389490 BCX8">As a senior leader within the organization, the Director has significant responsibility for shaping the vision of Vera's work in New York both at the city and state level. The Director should have extensive and nuanced knowledge of New York's criminal justice system, the workings of state and local policy, deep relationships with government and community stakeholders, and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175389490 BCX8">demonstrated</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175389490 BCX8"> experience in leading campaigns in New York to win policy change. The Director must value "inside-lane" work to build champions for our issues within government and an "outside-lane" approach </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW175389490 BCX8">of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175389490 BCX8"> working in partnership with advocates, </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW175389490 BCX8">organizers, and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175389490 BCX8"> grassroots and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW175389490 BCX8">grasstops</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175389490 BCX8"> allies. The Director has a commitment to race equity and inclusion (REI) in their work, a passion for driving social change, and professional and/or lived experience with the criminal justice system</span></span><span class="EOP Selected SCXW175389490 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"469777462":[720],"469777927":[0],"469777928":[8]}"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">1. Strategic Management</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="26" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Lead the development, design, and implementation of advocacy strategies for GJNY policy campaigns, including management and execution of GJNY’s work in research, writing and publications, projects, partnerships, and other deliverables.</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="26" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Manage and operationalize various components of the team’s strategy and ensure cohesion of workstreams.</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="26" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">In partnership with Vera Action, lead the c4 and political advocacy campaigns to create political buy-in for a new approach to safety, accountability, and justice among candidates and elected leaders.</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="26" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Develop and measure metrics to discern impact of the established strategy.</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="26" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Work closely with Vera’s Research, Communications, and Advocacy capacity teams to support the development and execution of the Restoring Promise strategy. <span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="26" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Partner with the development department to accomplish fundraising goals, to cultivate relationships with funders, and to support funder relationship management, proposal creation, and reporting deadlines. <span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":765}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">2. Strategic Partnerships and Field Building</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"469777462":[360],"469777927":[0],"469777928":[0]}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="35" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Manage GJNY’s stakeholder relationships at all levels of government, in New York City, Albany, and across the state, as well as relationships with advocates, community leaders and organizers, and with organizations that work locally and nationally that impact our work in New York</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="35" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Navigate complex political dynamics to advance GJNY’s work. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="35" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Lead and/or partner with other organizations, coalitions or other relevant groups to advance GJNY’s goals. <span data-ccp-props="{"469777462":[720],"469777927":[0],"469777928":[8]}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">3. Driving Public Opinion and Debate </span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="36" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":1080,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Represent Vera as one of the organization’s experts in media outlets (op-eds, interviews), conferences, webinars, and other external events. </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="36" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":1080,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Serve as an organizational spokesperson in media, public forums, conferences, and other settings, including as Vera’s primary expert on New York criminal justice issues to journalists and media.</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="36" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":1080,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Draft and edit program reports, proposals, presentations, and internal/external blog posts to communicate updates on GJNY’s work<span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">4. Team Management, Mentorship, and Supervision</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="28" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Oversee and own the overall supervision and development of direct and indirect staff reports, including professional development, goal setting, </span><span data-contrast="none">advancement,</span><span data-contrast="auto"> and elements of accountability, aligned with Vera’s commitment to anti-racism, equity and an inclusive workplace. </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="28" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Manage all elements of the team’s operations including budget, deadlines, staff deployment, and team management.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="33" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":1080,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="auto">Maintain regular contact with the finance department to develop, track, and manage budgets.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What qualifications are we looking for?</strong></span></h3>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="14" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun" data-ccp-charstyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"ac0262f4-8a9e-5820-b908-2d943c5f7113|1","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469777841,"Times New Roman",469777842,"Times New Roman",469777843,"Times New Roman",469777844,"Times New Roman",469769226,"Times New Roman",268442635,"22",469775450,"normaltextrun",201340122,"1",134233614,"true",469778129,"normaltextrun",335572020,"1",469778324,"Default Paragraph Font"]}">Advanced degree and 12+ years of relevant experience. In lieu of degree </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">requirement</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">, applicable work or life experience may be considered. </span></span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="14" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">F</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">irsthand and extensive experience with New York’s criminal justice system—as an advocate, practitioner, policymaker, lawyer, researcher, or someone who is directly </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">impacted</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">.</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="14" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">E</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">xperience managing staff</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">, </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">both those who are newer to the work world and those who have more years of experience</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">, </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">and </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">a desire to</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun"> work with both sets of employees.</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="14" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">E</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">xpertise</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun"> creating advocacy strategies from idea to infrastructure to implementation – including grassroots organizing and coalition building.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span class="TextRun SCXW232907634 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW232907634 BCX0">Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW232907634 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></strong></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun" data-ccp-charstyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"ac0262f4-8a9e-5820-b908-2d943c5f7113|1","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469777841,"Times New Roman",469777842,"Times New Roman",469777843,"Times New Roman",469777844,"Times New Roman",469769226,"Times New Roman",268442635,"22",469775450,"normaltextrun",201340122,"1",134233614,"true",469778129,"normaltextrun",335572020,"1",469778324,"Default Paragraph Font"]}">Curiosity and willingness to research, read, talk to people, and learn constantly about New York’s dynamic and evolving criminal justice field, with an ability to translate that knowledge into strategic implementation and changes to policy and practice.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">Demonstrated ability to </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">produce excellent writing in a variety of settings, from longer reports, briefing memos, to media opinions and editorials.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Technical knowledge helpful for this role:</strong></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="TextRun SCXW175533075 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175533075 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun" data-ccp-charstyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"ac0262f4-8a9e-5820-b908-2d943c5f7113|1","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469777841,"Times New Roman",469777842,"Times New Roman",469777843,"Times New Roman",469777844,"Times New Roman",469769226,"Times New Roman",268442635,"22",469775450,"normaltextrun",201340122,"1",134233614,"true",469778129,"normaltextrun",335572020,"1",469778324,"Default Paragraph Font"]}">Juris doctor or graduate degree in a social science or related </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175533075 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">field;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175533075 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun"> or equivalent work </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175533075 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">experience;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175533075 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun"> or relevant work or educational background and lived experience as a person directly </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175533075 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">impacted</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175533075 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun"> by the criminal justice system.</span></span><span class="EOP Selected SCXW175533075 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335557856":16777215}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Location:</strong></span></h3>
<p>Please note this role will report to our<strong> Brooklyn, NY </strong>office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.</p>
<h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Compensation and Benefits:</strong></span></h3>
<p>The compensation range for this position is <strong>$152,000-157,000</strong><strong><em>.</em><em> </em></strong>Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. <span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW74969698 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW74969698 BCX8">To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW74969698 BCX8" href="https://online.fliphtml5.com/ietjg/esww/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW74969698 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW74969698 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">click here</span></span></a><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW74969698 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW74969698 BCX8">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW74969698 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<h3> </h3>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">
<h3><strong>Application Process:</strong></h3>
</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">To receive further consideration for this career opportunity, applicants are asked preliminary questions about logistics, their interest and qualifications. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional details about their experience via a phone screen/form in advance of an invitation for a virtual or in-person interview with the team. Some searches may explore scenarios during the interview process and/or an assessment prior to reference checks and a hiring decision.</div>
<h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Applications may also be faxed to:</strong></span></h3>
<p>ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / [<strong>JOBTITLE]</strong><br>Vera Institute of Justice<br>34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232<br>Fax: (212) 941-9407<br>Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.<br>No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.</p>
<p><em>Vera is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. </em></p>
<p><em>Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. </em></p>
<p><em>For more information about Vera, please visit </em><a href="http://www.vera.org/" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.vera.org/"><em>www.vera.org</em></a>.</p>
Perks & benefits
- Medical Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Equity Compensation
759,000+ hidden jobs like this
Vera Institute of Justice and thousands of companies post here first — often days before LinkedIn or Indeed. Your first 5 applications are free; go Pro to apply without limits.
Everything Pro unlocks:
- Unlimited applications — free stops at 5
- Track every application in one place
- Apply straight to the source, one click
- Save & organize roles you love
- Roles pulled from company boards before the big sites