Program Management Assistant

ABOUT NDS:

Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is a national nonprofit public defense organization that pioneered the holistic defense model more than 30 years ago. Founded in Harlem, NDS was built to challenge the traditional public defense model by centering clients, communities, and interdisciplinary advocacy. Today, NDS operates community-based offices in Harlem; the Bronx; Detroit; and Hays County, Texas, supported by a unified national infrastructure that allows local teams to deliver high-quality, responsive representation rooted in the communities they serve.

Across all locations, NDS provides client-centered legal representation through interdisciplinary teams composed of attorneys, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. Our approach emphasizes early and ongoing engagement with clients—before arrest where possible, throughout the life of a case, and beyond case resolution—while addressing the legal, social, and systemic challenges that impact long-term stability. NDS is committed to treating every client with dignity and respect and to advancing justice for individuals and communities that have been historically marginalized and over-policed.

CORE PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

We are seeking a proactive, highly organized, and creative Assistant to the Managing Director to provide daily administrative support and assist with executing our digital communications. This role combines traditional administrative responsibilities with support for online outreach efforts, including scheduling and posting approved content, to help amplify NDS’s community engagement. The ideal candidate is resourceful, detail-oriented, and thrives in a collaborative environment.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position, with a minimum of 2-3 days in office at our Harlem location.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative Support

• Assist and act in a confidential capacity to the managing director, including the implementation of policies related to employee and labor relations
• Manage complex calendars and schedule meetings
• Coordinate arrangements and logistics for meetings and events, including securing conference space and preparing materials
• Partner internally and externally with stakeholders to support community events
• Arrange travel, including flights, accommodations and itineraries
• Handle emails, phone calls, and general correspondence
• Maintain organized digital and physical filing systems
• Assist with invoice processing, expense reports, and record-keeping
• Support general office operations and project coordination
• Assist with recruitment efforts, including scheduling recruitment fairs and identifying recruitment fairs to attend
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, including confidentiality when handling sensitive information
• Offer ongoing administrative support as needed and identify areas for improvement and implement more efficient systems.

Social Media & Marketing Support

• Assist in creating, scheduling, and posting content across platforms (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, X)
• Monitor social media activity
• Support content planning and brainstorming campaigns or collaborations Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Familiarity with social media platforms and analytics tools (e.g. Meta Business Suite, Canva, Hootsuite, etc.)
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace or Microsoft Office
• Attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across diverse teams, roles, and identities.
• Commitment to serving historically marginalized communities

Preferred

• 1-2 years in executive or senior level-administrative support
• Experience in digital marketing, content creation, or community management
• Basic graphic design or video editing skills
• Interest in brand storytelling and audience engagement
• Self-starter with a positive attitude and adaptable mindset

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume in a single PDF through NDS’s Career Portal neighborhooddefender.org/careers. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

COMPENSATION:

Compensation is commensurate with experience. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as retirement plan with company match, robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided. The salary range for this position is $68,000-85,000.

The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NDS we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Full medical and dental benefits, as well as retirement plan with company match, robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided.