The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and The Leadership Conference Education Fund seeks a Justice Reform Program Manager to help oversee our national effort to protect and defend civil and human rights by advocating for radically transforming the criminal legal system and divesting from mass incarceration and criminalization. The Justice Reform Program Manager will help execute the programs strategic plan and work closely with our coalition and partners to advance policy solutions that 1) eliminate structural inequity, racism, and injustice at every stage of the criminal legal system; 2) focus of decarceration and rehabilitation; and 3) center the expertise and experiences of directly impacted individuals. The program also employs strategic communications and grassroots mobilization to educate and engage the public in our advocacy efforts. The ideal candidate will combine policy expertise and project management experience with strategic thinking, communications, and advocacy.

The program manager will have the opportunity to work with national and local staff of leading civil rights and justice reform advocacy organizations and will also share in the responsibility of representing the civil rights perspective on justice reform policy matters in diverse settings from Washington, D.C. policy meetings to community-based information sessions and webinars. The program manager will also be an integral member of our vibrant, ambitious, passionate and dedicated internal justice reform team and will collaborate with our communications and field staff to maximize our potential to advance policy solutions to transform the criminal legal system. Some administrative responsibilities related to the justice re project are required and this job requires some travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with staff from various departments, including policy, communications, and field, to create and disseminate materials on civil rights issues as it relates to the justice system, including fact sheets for the coalition and Hill staff, backgrounders, advocacy materials and resources for coalition partners, policy briefs, memos, and letters to Congress and other policy makers.
• Read and analyze relevant federal and some state legislation and administrative policies on justice reform issues.
• Assists in the development, coordination, and maintenance of effective technical support for coalition members and partners, state partners, and others, including providing information on the legislative process, justice reform policy issues, overall messaging, and specific coalition activities.
• Coordinate with coalition partners and allies to inform and disseminate key strategic messages as well as identify gaps in existing messaging and resources.
• Coordinate briefings in D.C. and across the country to discuss the importance of transforming the criminal legal system.
• Actively develop strong relationships with the Justice Reform Team, Justice Reform Task Force members and partners, and other coalition partners to expand the coalition’s reach of influence.
• Serve as the staff representative for the Campaigns and Programs Department at relevant Leadership Conference task force meetings, legislative hearings, coalition meetings, conference calls, meetings with agency and legislative staff, and other events, networks, conferences, and meetings.
• Support the daily management of the justice reform program priorities, including helping oversee the program’s infrastructure, including assisting the Director to ensure compliance with grant deliverables and other administrative tasks to document, measure, and quantify our impact.
• Draft and seek input on agendas for critical meetings and briefings with staff, coalition partners.
• Fluently communicate the program’s goals, and identify opportunities for projects that help the team meet these goals.
• Other duties, as needed.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in policy, law, or a related field a plus. In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, the applicant must have minimum of five years’ experience in criminal justice advocacy, policy, law, coalition building, and project management.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in criminal justice advocacy, policy, or law; excellent research and writing skills; and proficiency in Microsoft Office programs are required. Experience in coalitions and/or in community organizing are both highly valued.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil and human rights for all persons in the United States.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse audiences, including high-level policy makers, coalition members, and colleagues.
• Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to carry through projects from conception to completion.
• A team player with experience and ability to problem solve, work with urgent deadlines, exercise discretion, and prioritize and manage multiple complex projects.
• Demonstrates curiosity and initiative, as well as attention to detail and accuracy.
• Familiarity with and knowledge of the criminal legal system required.
• Proficiency with researching, analyzing, and communicating about federal and state policy through the lens of the justice programs priorities.
• Experience managing coalition meetings, briefings and high-level meetings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

To Apply:

To apply, e-mail resume, cover letter detailing your fit with the position’s responsibilities, and salary requirements to: personnel@civilrights.org with Justice Reform Program Manager in the subject line. Only applications submitted by email will be considered.  We are looking to fill this position immediately.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.