Job Description

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a community justice organization that centers safety and racial justice. Since our founding in 1996, the Center has partnered with community members, courts, and the people most impacted to create stronger, healthier, more just communities. Our decades of experience in courts and communities, coupled with our field-leading research and practitioner expertise, help us drive justice nationwide in innovative, powerful, and durable ways. For more information on how and where we work, please visit   

The Center is a 900-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn’t), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.

Operating Programs

The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Justice Center, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.

Research

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.

Policy & Expert Assistance

The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area. 

Center Support

A dedicated support team within the Center ensures the smooth functioning of operations across various domains, including finance, legal, technology, human resources, fundraising, real estate, and communications. Comprising 15% of the organization's staff, these teams provide essential infrastructure support and innovative solutions aligned with the Center's mission and values. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Center for Justice Innovation seeks an Internal Communications Manager to oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive organization-wide internal communications strategy. We are seeking an individual who can help shape the organizational culture and tone, ensuring clear, engaging, and consistent messaging that aligns with our values and goals. With a staff of 900 employees and growing, working across more than 35 different locations, the Center for Justice Innovation is in need of a skilled and strategic communicator to enhance the timeliness and structure of organizational communication, craft internal messaging, and improve cross-team collaboration. The role will be housed in our People Department and overseen by Chief People Officer and will partner closely with the Chief of Staff’s office and the Communications department.  

• Plan, edit, and write content for timely and essential organizational communications through multiple channels and mediums; 
• Coordinate pacing and cadence of organization-wide messaging; 
• In collaboration with leadership at multiple levels, craft a comprehensive and streamlined organizational communication plan which takes into account diverse learning styles and access to information; 
• Refine, update, and identify systems that provide employees with access to essential information and foster organization-wide collaboration; 
• Lead the management of current organizational communication tools such as intranet, internal newsletter, email, Slack and Microsoft Teams; 
• Serve as a consult to leadership and staff at different sites and departments on internal communications needs such as the rollout of new internal initiatives; 
• Spearhead initiatives to improve connection between senior leadership and staff across the organization; 
• Collaborate on key initiatives within the People Department related to internal communications such as staff surveys, new employee orientation, events, and staff trainings; 
• Administrative tasks such as regular intranet maintenance, maintaining project plans, and managing calendars;
• Additional tasks as necessary.  

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (communication, journalism) and 3-4 years of related work experience OR 5-7 years total of work experience possessing a strong background in communications, public relations, or marketing;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex ideas effectively; 
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead and coordinate multifaceted initiatives across different teams and organizational levels;
• Deep understanding of different learning styles and multimedia communication tools; website and email marketing platform (e.g. Wordpress, MailChimp) experience a plus;
• Proficiency with essential technology tools such as Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new technologies; and
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and uplifting diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. 

Position Type:  Full-time.

Position Location:  Midtown, Manhattan.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $77,200 - $105,000 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.

As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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