Director, Community Empowerment and Justice Programs

Street Law is seeking an experienced program leader to serve as our Director, Community Empowerment and Justice (CEJ) Programs. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about youth empowerment, community-based programs, and justice initiatives and who is committed to expanding access to legal knowledge and opportunity for all young people.

The Director will oversee and strengthen Street Law’s portfolio of community-based programs to ensure high-quality implementation, measurable impact, and long-term sustainability. The new Director will help advance Street Law’s work primarily in the youth justice field, building partnerships that expand opportunities for young people in and outside of the justice system.

Who We Are

For more than 50 years, Street Law has worked in communities and schools across the country and around the globe, developing programs and teaching materials that educate young people about law and democracy.

We believe that when people have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand how law and government work, to advocate effectively for themselves and others, and to participate in civic life, their lives and society are stronger.

We advance our mission by helping others—specifically classroom teachers, the legal community, government agencies, and community organizations—be effective law and civics educators.

We are a dedicated and collaborative team that values integrity, inclusion, courage, and excellence. Our workplace is flexible and supportive, and we are committed to thoughtful, high-quality work that makes a measurable difference.

What You Will Do

As Director, Community Empowerment and Justice Programs, you will oversee existing programs being implemented in partnership with government agencies, corporations, foundations, and community-based organizations. These initiatives equip people with practical legal knowledge and life skills to understand, navigate, and influence the systems that shape their lives. CEJ initiatives are typically delivered in partnership with direct-service organizations, community-based programs, and juvenile justice facilities, serving both system-involved and community-engaged young people.

You will also provide strategic leadership to expand Street Law’s community-based program portfolio and will work closely with the Business Development Team, providing content expertise to support resource growth and cultivate new partnerships.

You will:

• Provide leadership for the CEJ portfolio, ensuring strong program design, implementation, and continuous improvement.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with funders and institutional partners, ensuring effective communication and fulfillment of grant and contract requirements.
• Design and facilitate trainings for program partners to ensure CEJ programs are delivered with fidelity and excellence, including mastery of Street Law curriculum and interactive teaching methods.
• Supervise and support the creation of curriculum and program materials, collaborating with the Curriculum Development Team and external experts.
• Establish performance goals and evaluation systems, using data to assess outcomes and guide decision-making.
• Partner with senior leadership on business development, playing a key role in developing funding strategies and supporting proposal development.
• Supervise staff and consultants, aligning roles with program goals and fostering strong performance.
• Represent Street Law externally and contribute thought leadership within the youth justice and youth empowerment fields.

The Director will report to the CEO.

Who You Are

You are an experienced program leader (at least 8–10 years’ experience) who combines strategic vision with strong operational execution. You are equally comfortable setting direction and managing the details that ensure high-quality implementation. You have led complex initiatives, built productive partnerships, and overseen programs from design through evaluation. You have experience designing and facilitating training sessions and creating content and learning experiences that support effective program implementation.

You bring demonstrated subject matter expertise in youth or juvenile justice, including diversion, reentry, restorative justice, youth courts, and youth empowerment initiatives. You understand the policy, practice, and funding landscape shaping these areas and are prepared to help advance Street Law’s position within the broader youth justice and youth empowerment fields. You are committed to approaches that elevate youth voice, promote fairness and justice, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity.

You exercise sound judgment, communicate clearly and persuasively, and can balance long-term strategy with day-to-day program implementation. You are collaborative, accountable, and motivated by the opportunity to strengthen programs that expand access to justice and civic education.

You have:

• Experience leading and managing complex programs or portfolios, preferably in education, nonprofit, community-based, or justice-focused settings.
• Demonstrated expertise in youth/juvenile justice, restorative justice, youth courts, youth empowerment, or closely related fields.
• Experience designing and delivering training, including creating content and learning experiences that promote high-quality, interactive program implementation.
• Experience supervising staff and consultants and supporting strong team performance.
• A track record of cultivating and sustaining relationships with funders, public agencies, and institutional partners.
• Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating programs with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and systems for continuous improvement.
• The ability to manage both big-picture strategy and day-to-day program administration.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to represent programs effectively to a range of audiences.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and follow-through.
• An advanced degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Street Law offers a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid vacation and sick leave, short- and long-term disability insurance and life insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and a 403(b) retirement program with employer match.

Our office is located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC. The Director must reside in the greater Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD areas and may work remotely on most days. Periodic in-person work in the Silver Spring office and attendance at meetings or events in the DC region will be required. Additionally, occasional local and national travel to represent Street Law and support program implementation will be required.