About the team:

The Greater Justice New York GJNY Program Director is responsible for leading the programs workfrom a macro-level vision of what Veras role is in reforming New Yorks 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 Veras lead expert on New Yorks 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 operate within the scope of Veras 501(c)(3) function, you frequently will collaborate with Vera Action, Veras 501(c)(4) sister organization. GJNYs program director leads an 8-10 person team.

About the role:

As a senior leaderwithin the organization,the Director hassignificant 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 demonstrated 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 of working in partnership with advocates, organizers, and grassroots and grasstops allies. The Director hasa commitment torace equity and inclusion(REI)intheir work,a passion for driving social change, andprofessional and/orlivedexperience with the criminal justice system

1. Strategic Management

Lead the development, design, and implementation of advocacy strategies for GJNY policy campaigns, including management and execution of GJNYs work in research, writing and publications, projects, partnerships, and other deliverables.
Manage and operationalize various components of the teams strategy and ensure cohesion of workstreams.
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.
Develop and measure metrics to discern impact of the established strategy.
Work closely with Veras Research, Communications, and Advocacy capacity teams to support the development and execution of the GJNY strategy.
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.

2. Strategic Partnerships and Field Building

Manage GJNYs 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
Navigate complex political dynamics to advance GJNYs work.
Lead and/or partner withother organizations,coalitionsor other relevant groups to advance GJNYs goals.

3. Driving Public Opinion and Debate

Represent Vera as one of the organizations experts in media outlets (op-eds, interviews), conferences, webinars, and other external events.
Serve as an organizational spokesperson in media, public forums, conferences, and other settings, including as Veras primary expert on New York criminal justice issues to journalists and media.
Draft and edit program reports, proposals, presentations, and internal/external blog posts to communicate updates on GJNYs work

4. Team Management, Mentorship, and Supervision

Oversee and own the overall supervision and development of direct and indirect staff reports, including professional development, goal setting, advancement, and elements of accountability, aligned with Veras commitment to anti-racism, equity and an inclusive workplace.
Manage all elements of the teams operations including budget, deadlines, staff deployment, and team management.
Maintain regular contact with the finance department to develop, track, and manage budgets.

What qualifications are we looking for?

Required:

Advanced degree and 12+ years of relevant experience. In lieu of degree

Preferred:

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring:

Curiosity and willingness to research, read, talk to people, and learn constantly about New Yorks dynamic and evolving criminal justice field, with an ability to translate that knowledge into strategic implementation and changes to policy and practice.

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $152,000-157,000.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 Institutes 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. To learn more about Veras benefits offerings, .