Chief of Staff

ABOUT FJP

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) brings together newly elected local prosecutors as part of a network of leaders committed to promoting a justice system grounded in fairness, equity, compassion, and fiscal responsibility. These recently elected leaders – and the vision they share for safer and healthier communities – are supported by FJP’s network through ongoing information sharing, research, and resource materials, opportunities for on the ground learning, in-person convenings, technical assistance, and access to our national experts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

FJP is looking for a full-time Chief of Staff (CoS) to be an integral part of FJP’s senior leadership team. The CoS will work with the Executive Director and others on the senior leadership team to help lead and oversee FJP’s important policy work, interface with and support inspiring and bold elected prosecutors, assist with funder relations and grant seeking/reporting, and help manage our personnel and operations. Strong candidates will bring a deep commitment to criminal justice reforms in prosecution, excellent written and verbal communication skills, sharp policy instincts and acumen, and will be a seasoned manager. The salary for this position is set based on experience, with the anticipated starting salary budgeted between $135,000 and $150,000.

Specific responsibilities will include:

Executive Leadership

• Offer thoughtful advice and counsel to the Executive Director and the senior team on a variety of matters, including strategy, policy, elected network leaders’ support, and working with others on the senior leadership team on personnel and operations oversight and management
• Serve on the Leadership Team and help prepare and run leadership team meetings
• Help resolve administrative, operational and strategic issues and matters on behalf of the Executive Director and organization
• Guide and monitor the organization’s progress in addressing ongoing challenges, and advancing its objectives and goals; help develop and track metrics of success
• Represent the organization in academic, partner and network work, gatherings and activities
• Help address and trouble shoot ad hoc issues that arise, and develop and implement smart solutions

Policy & Program Support

• Interface with newly elected leaders, academics and researchers, national criminal justice experts, and justice system stakeholders
• Help oversee, conduct and coordinate interviews, research, and information gathering from prosecutive leaders and their offices, as well as from national criminal justice thinkers
• Support and promote justice system innovation and the development of related educational materials and resources for electeds and their senior staff
• Engage with network offices, advocacy organizations and other partners on special projects
• Oversee the planning, structuring and organization of in person gatherings and site visits to enable newly elected prosecutive leaders to learn from each other – and from other experts in the field
• Support the development, promotion, and oversight of opportunities for academic and research collaborations
• Guide and support development of resources, materials and publications for elected leaders in the network, as well as the broader prosecution field and the public at large

Management

• Model the highest standards of performance, integrity and work ethic
• Work with other senior staff to oversee operations and policy work and help supervise staff and consultants
• Work with others in leadership to help identify and recruit dynamic top-level talent to join the FJP team and work with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to manage hiring and onboarding processes
• Oversee training and culture work and ensure all staff have clear expectations in their roles
• Work with the COO to oversee and continue to enhance salary, evaluation and performance management processes
• Monitor and respond to personnel, resource and management issues and needs
• Routinely communicate high-level personnel and other internal issues to the Executive Director; make recommendations on next steps and assisting with problem solving

Organizational Effectiveness

• Work with the Executive Director and COO to ensure FJP is meeting all requirements related to operations, human resources, and personnel 
• Ensure smooth communications throughout the organization and help to ensure that work and projects are moving forward and are reflecting the high standards of the organization
• Actively coordinate with the COO on financial and budget matters, as well as resource growth
• Work with the COO and others on the team to help oversee projects, ongoing planning efforts and efficient operations
• Develop and/or support the creation of organizational policies and protocols

Assisting with Grants Development and Management 

Work with the COO to:

• Prospect foundations and develop relationships with current and potential funders
• Assist in shaping and delivering donor pitches and funder and external partner briefings
• Draft letters of inquiry and grant proposals
• Help manage and prepare grant reports

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree, with a higher-level degree (JD, MA, MBA, etc.) or equivalent post-graduate degree preferred. However, we value diverse educational and experiential backgrounds and an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will also be considered
• Seasoned people manager at a similarly situated organization or law office
• Experience in criminal justice, nonprofit or policy advocacy organizations
• Experience in grantmaking/applications, budget oversight or development, organizational management, and process development/improvement

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

We are looking for someone with a deep commitment to criminal justice reforms in prosecution who is able to reimagine the role and function of prosecutive leaders, and who can put in place and manage related initiatives and workflows. Strong candidates will also have policy and writing experience, will be seasoned people managers, and experienced in building effective organizational systems, while bringing a high degree of flexibility, understanding that circumstances are frequently changing and evolving. In addition, top candidates will excel at these areas below:

• Organizational leadership – You lead by example by modeling a focus on priorities and a high bar for performance. You operate with the best interests of the organization in mind and align the work of your team to advance those interests. You serve as a strong representative for the organization in work that is increasingly highly visible. 
• Strong communication skills – You are a talented writer and verbal communicator. You adeptly condense complex topics into crisp and inspiring language. Your communications build credibility for FJP and set a bar for the FJP team – both in internal and external contexts.
• Judgment and solutions orientation - You exercise discretion for all matters under your purview, applying good and practiced judgement around when to involve colleagues and/or the Executive Director in decision-making. You proactively develop solutions to challenges, push work forward through obstacles, and adapt as situations change to find the best path forward.
• Fast-paced, detail-oriented, and strong work ethic – You bring a passion for making things work well and an ability to handle a large volume of work with a high attention to detail and meet deadlines. You have a strong work ethic and bring a strong commitment to getting the job done.
• Collaborative and relationship-orientated – You recognize the deep importance that relationships play in your ability to effectively lead at FJP, and you strive to build rapport and trust to best advance the organization’s objectives. You actively listen, communicate, and collaborate well because you know that increased understanding and collaboration leads to better results.

SALARY

The salary for this position is based on experience, with the anticipated starting salary budgeted between $135,000 and $150,000.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to Executive Director and works closely with the senior leadership team, including the COO, Senior Director of Research and Technical Assistance and other senior staff and team members. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods of time. Some travel required.

The project requires extensive computer and telephone time and usage, research and writing. Light lifting up to 10 pounds may be needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position can work remotely or may be able to work out of a New York office. Post-pandemic travel will be required, at least three or four times per year. While on travel, the CoS will work from airports, hotel rooms, offices or space of other organizations or bodies.

FJP is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. FJP’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

Women, people of color, LGBTQ candidates, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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