Director of Programs

Organization: Black Public Defender Association (BPDA)

Location: Remote

Compensation: $40 per hour, up to 60 hours per month

Schedule: Consultant, Contract (flexible; availability needed between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time is essential)

Position Overview

The Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) is hiring a deeply committed, highly organized, and heart-led Director of Programs to lead our nationally recognized fellowship programming. This is the most mission-critical role on our team. The Director of Programs does not just manage logistics. They nurture a growing community of future defenders and ensure every student feels seen, supported, and empowered. BPDA’s fellowship programs provide paid summer placements, mentorship, and professional development for law students and undergraduates committed to becoming change agents within the legal system. These are not just programs. They are pathways.

The Director of Programs ensures those pathways are accessible, inclusive, and rooted in care. Under the direction of BPDA leadership and in collaboration with the Communications and Law School Committees, this person will carry forward the growth and spirit of a program that has expanded from four to more than forty participants in just a few years. This role sits at the intersection of logistics, leadership, and care. It is about keeping the program moving while centering the real lives, stories, and needs of our students and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Coordination and Growth
• Lead and manage the law school and undergraduate fellowship programs, including student outreach, placement logistics, and host site partnerships.
• Student Support and Relationship Building
• Be the anchor of support for our fellows. Serve as someone they can turn to for answers, encouragement, or help navigating the real-world challenges that come with internships and systems work.
• Impact Tracking and Reporting
• Collect and analyze program data. Track fellow progress and evaluate impact through both quantitative and narrative metrics.
• Administrative and Financial Oversight
• Submit and track invoices, stipends, and travel reimbursements in coordination with the operations and finance teams. Ensure fellows are paid on time and have what they need to participate fully, including verification letters, documentation, or travel support.
• Host Site and Committee Coordination
• Maintain strong working relationships with public defender offices. Support the Law School Committee with programming strategy, logistics, and scheduling.
• Storytelling and Communications
• Collaborate with the Communications Team to highlight fellow stories, promote the program, and advance BPDA’s mission across platforms.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Deep alignment with BPDA’s mission to dismantle carceral systems and uplift defenders
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple moving parts
• Compassionate, community-oriented, and people-first
• Flexible, responsive, and ready to adjust to shifting student or partner needs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in program coordination, fellowships, or nonprofit leadership
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across a remote team
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; familiarity with managing budgets and grant reporting is a plus
• Lived experience or deep understanding of the barriers faced by first-generation, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and low-income students is highly valued

About the BPDA Fellowship Program

The fellowship program is the heart of BPDA’s mission. We provide paid summer opportunities, mentorship, and professional development to undergraduate and law students who are committed to justice and public defense. Fellows participate in weekly programming, skill-building workshops, and a supportive cohort experience that centers liberation, healing, and resistance to mass incarceration.

Learn more at: https://blackdefender.org/bpda-fellowship-program

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• A thoughtful cover letter that speaks to your connection to BPDA’s mission and this role
• Your résumé
• Three references including name, relationship, and contact information

Please do not email your materials directly. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.