The Vice President of Programs will bring seasoned program and administrative leadership expertise, a nuanced understanding of violence and criminal justice and a sophisticated analysis of racial oppression to lead our direct service work.

Common Justice develops and advances solutions to violence that transform the lives of those harmed and foster racial equity without relying on incarceration. Locally, we operate the first alternative to incarceration and victim service program in the United States to focus on violent felonies in the adult courts. Nationally, we leverage the lessons from our direct service to transform the justice system through partnerships, advocacy, and elevating the experience and power of those most impacted. Rigorous and hopeful, we build practical strategies to hold people accountable for harm, break cycles of violence, and secure safety, healing and justice for survivors and their communities.

In our direct service work, Common Justice operates restorative justice- based alternative to prison and victim service program for serious and/or violent felony cases such as assault, burglary, and robbery. The project brings 16-26-year-olds responsible for crimes together with those they have harmed and their support people in a facilitated restorative justice dialogue to determine appropriate agreements to make things as right as possible and take the place of a prison sentence. The work includes intensive supervision and violence intervention work with people who have caused harm, wraparound support for the survivors and their loved ones, and engagement of system actors who play critical roles in the diversion of cases. We aim to meet the needs of people harmed by violence, prevent further harm, and improve the lives of people and communities impacted by violence. While we serve the full range of people harmed by crime, a significant portion of the survivors Common Justice works with are men of color, many of them young adults. Common Justice believes that all survivors deserve more options that resonate with their sense of justice, safety, and respect, and that communities deserve programs that help halt cycles of violence, improve the public safety, and meet their needs.

About This Role

The Vice President of Programs will bring seasoned program and administrative leadership expertise, a nuanced understanding of violence and criminal justice and a sophisticated analysis of racial oppression to lead our direct service work. Reporting directly to the Executive Director and part of the leadership team, The VP of Programs is charged with ensuring model fidelity and effectiveness, developing and strengthening organizational systems to support cross functional collaboration and growth, representing the organization publicly, supervising four Assistant Directors, and partnering with the leadership team on overall organization building and strategy.

The scope of the work is wide-ranging, equally “on the ground” and high level, from interfacing with District Attorney’s offices and thought partnering with our Executive Director on expansion and impact, to ongoing problem solving with Assistant Director’s on on-the-ground issues with participants.

Ideal Profile & Qualifications

Ideal candidates bring a unique cross-set of experiences and skillsets, including:

• Demonstrable passion for our mission and model, and social justice in general
• A minimum of eight years organizational or program leadership experience with strengths in administration & operations
• Subject matter expertise in criminal justice, violence, restorative justice, trauma, healing and victims’ services
• A nuanced and sophisticated analysis of multiple forms of oppression, intersectionality and white supremacy
• Systems and culture building in support of organization building, program expansion and/or model enhancement and fidelity
• Well-developed people management and coaching skills, ideally with experience supporting directly impacted staff
• Credibility and strong relationship building capacity with wide range of constituents
• Survivors of violence, formerly incarcerated, and family members of incarcerated people strongly welcomed

Key Responsibilities:

Day to Day Program Management:

• Effectively manage and support the Assistant Directors in Brooklyn, Bronx and future Common Justice locations who directly manage the intervention and trauma support direct service programs; build capacity of direct service teams
• Effectively manage and support the Assistant Director of Outreach and outreach team, which coordinates with participants, impacted parties and the court system
• Develop and strengthen structures to ensure model fidelity and enhance integration across teams
• Effectively engage in and problem solve in crisis intervention with participants and creatively thought partner with direct service staff on a wide range of issues
• Contribute to the development department’s fundraising and reporting on the department’s work
• Budgeting for multiple projects, including monitoring and controlling costs

Organizational Building, Strategy & Expansion:

• As part of the leadership team, co-lead the development of structures and practices to support the organization’s overall development, management and culture
• Partner with the Executive Director on strategy and implementation for further growth and replication of the work in new sites
• Lead the team in its ongoing development and refinement of the overall model

External Relationships:

• Hold relationships with and liaise with the DA’s office and leaders within the court system on matters concerning participants
• Appear as needed in court on behalf of participants and the organization
• Represent the organization publicly as part of city- and statewide committees and at public events
• Represent the organization in conversations with funders and allies of the work

To Apply

Salary is commensurate with experience within Common Justice’s pay range of $156,000 - $162,000 for a Vice President level position. A competitive benefits package is provided, including medical, dental, life, long-term disability insurance, retirement 401(k), and substantial vacation.

Please submit a resume, writing sample(s), and cover letter indicating where you found this position to  [email protected]. Please include “Vice President of Program” in the subject line of your email.

Common Justice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action 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, or current employment status. Common Justice values diverse experiences, including regarding educational background and justice system involvement. We depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.