Senior Director of Safety and Justice

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. For more than 70 years, we have focused on serving the public, invigorating civic life, conducting nonpartisan research, advancing effective public policies and practices, and achieving tangible results. Through rigorous inquiry and knowledge sharing, we inform and engage public-spirited citizens and organizations, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause. We are a dedicated team of researchers, communicators, advocates, subject matter experts, and professionals working on some of today's big challenges – and we know we are more effective and creative collectively than we are individually. With Philadelphia as our hometown and the majority of our staff located in Washington, D.C., our U.S. and international staff find working at Pew personally and professionally rewarding.

Wise stewardship of resources allows Pew employees to pursue work that strategically furthers our mission in significant and measurable ways. We collaborate with a diverse range of philanthropic partners, public and private organizations, and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven initiatives to improve society. Pew attracts top talent, people of integrity who are service-oriented and willing to take on challenging assignments. We provide competitive pay and benefits, ability to telework up to 60%, a healthy work-life balance, and a respectful and inclusive workplace. Pew employees are proud of their colleagues, proud of where they work, and proud of the institution's reputation.

Pew is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment that encourages a culture of belonging and respect; where individuals from all backgrounds can bring their whole selves to work and thrive. You can learn more about Pew's work at its website.

The Government Performance Portfolio 

Pew's government performance work identifies and advances effective approaches to help solve complex challenges at all levels of government in the United States.

The portfolio's work can be traced back to Pew's founders' early efforts to improve the lives of Americans by supporting efforts that promote health, civic engagement, and democratic ideals. Today, Pew conducts research on emerging topics, develops data-driven reports, and highlights innovative, non-partisan approaches in addressing complex problems at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the interplay that can occur between jurisdictions. Current initiatives focus on health, fiscal and economic policy, and safety and justice, and take into account significant trends such as evolving technologies, and the increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States population.

The Government Performance Portfolio teams explore and advance effective, evidence-based policies using credible, timely, and accessible research, assessing public support for change, identifying approaches that have proved successful elsewhere, and bringing together diverse perspectives to find common ground. They work in collaboration with organizations that share our commitment to rigorous research, measurable results, and public service, and we focus on developing durable policy change. In addition, the teams use strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Senior Director oversees Pew's safety and justice work – currently consisting of three projects: civil legal system modernization, mental health and justice partnerships, and the public safety performance project. Each of these successful, dynamic projects conducts data analysis and produces research to inform critical policy debates, provides technical assistance, and creates advocacy campaigns that deliver meaningful policy reforms.

In addition to overseeing these projects, the Senior Director draws on an understanding of federal, state, and local government strategy and practice and relevant experience to partner with other senior leaders to set overarching strategy, generate new ideas, and collaborate with program colleagues to plan for how to operationalize new initiatives and advance the organization's commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity.

The Senior Director, based in Pew's Washington, D.C., office, reports to the Senior Vice President, Government Performance and oversees a team of roughly thirty.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership and Strategy Setting

• Champion a commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity within safety and justice, and collaboratively across the organization; build and maintain a culture of excellence and accountability; establish positive and productive teams; and effectively manage and coach individual staff by providing appropriate opportunities for professional development.
• Provide strategic guidance to position project leaders to set direction, realize project objectives, and build cohesive teams.
• Strategize full life-cycle of initiatives including standing up new projects, providing leadership and direction through different phases, and leading planning for wind down, hand-off or closeout of projects.
• Partner with the government performance leadership team to identify emerging themes; and plan, develop, and execute a strategic vision for Pew's relationship with state and local government and on strategic-planning efforts across the government performance portfolio.
• Collaborate on the development of materials for the board of directors.
• Actively participate with other leaders as a member of the program management team and Pew management team in efforts to strengthen Pew as a whole, including engagement on issues such as Pew's culture, strategic direction, staff retention, and engagement and inclusion, diversity, and equity.

Team Management

• Using a safety and justice policy group-wide lens, support project leads in managing project budgets and identify and support opportunities to leverage personnel, contracts, and partnerships more broadly across the suite of safety and justice projects.
• Coach and mentor a high-performing team, providing feedback and accountability to create opportunities for growth and learning; create space for open dialogue and belonging for all team members.
• Communicate organization-wide strategies and priorities to the Safety and Justice team, and serve as an organizational advocate for the work of the Safety and Justice team
• Oversee operations of the projects and equip project leadership to manage their operations responsibilities and ensure that staff comply with institutional policies and procedures, within the context of a fast-paced and complex organization.
• Liaise with core internal partners in operations, external affairs, research and science, and strategy to coordinate and fulfill project needs and review and approve related materials (e.g., news releases, funding proposals, contracts and grants, publications).
• Contribute to and participate in the tasks of the government performance portfolio as assigned, as well as broad Trusts-related projects and activities, as needed.

External Relationships

• Partner with Senior Vice President and Pew's partnerships unit to cultivate relationships with potential donors (both foundations and individuals) for the purpose of securing financial resources needed to achieve program objectives.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with associations of government officials, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and other key individuals and institutions, ensuring that the team maintains relations with a broad and diverse set of stakeholders engaged in the Safety and Justice team's work.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in a related field, including experience in courts and/or the public safety arena, with responsibility for strategic planning, idea development, project management, and a sophisticated understanding of the formulation of policy.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience managing and developing public policy campaigns and advocacy and policy teams, including direct supervisory experience managing performance management processes for direct reports, providing career development advice and counsel for direct reports, and oversight of these responsibilities for their teams.
• A strong results orientation, with a track record of solving problems creatively.
• Media-savvy and politically astute.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills; an excellent communicator and listener who has the ability to work productively and diplomatically with a wide array of people and institutions.
• Persuasive and effective at "selling" ideas and gaining support and commitment for initiatives from individuals and organizations capable of providing financial support for Pew projects.
• Excellent time- and project-management skills. Highly flexible, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities, adjust to changing circumstances, remain attentive to details and identify resources for projects.
• Strong operational management acumen. Ability to analyze budgetary information, assess organizational needs and problem solve within a large institution.
• Experience cultivating relationships (with donors, government officials, or other stakeholders) on matters related to judiciary, justice, legal system, public safety preferred.
• Experience preferred in integrating concepts of inclusion, diversity, and equity into policy positions.
• Experience running multiple projects and programs concurrently preferred.
• Applicants with lived experience interacting with the judicial system are encouraged to apply.
• Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts offers a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. For more information about The Pew Charitable Trust's commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity, please visit: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/inclusion-and-diversity

Like The Pew Charitable Trusts, On-Ramps is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose.

Accommodation Statement: On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.