POSITION DESCRIPTION
VP of Community Engagement
Location: New York, New York City
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)About REFORM Alliance:REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace Americas criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work, and equip them with the tools to succeed, all while making families and communities safer and stronger.
REFORM was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement. The Board includes award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn JAY-Z Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner, businesswoman, investor, and philanthropist Clara Wu Tsai; and CEO and President of Live Nation Entertainment Michael Rapino. Criminal justice advocate Jessica Jackson leads the organization as CEO.
Purpose:
The Vice President of Community Engagement (VP) is responsible for advancing REFORM's mission by cultivating and sustaining meaningful engagement with partners, grantees, and the broader community. The VP will lead efforts to build robust relationships and community partnerships that amplify REFORMs impact and visibility. The VP will drive initiatives that promote social impact and criminal justice reform by aligning community engagement strategies with REFORM's policy priorities. This role is also pivotal in organizing community-driven efforts and building coalitions that unite stakeholders around common goals, ensuring the organization remains a powerful advocate for change within the communities it serves.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and implement comprehensive community engagement strategies that align with REFORMs mission, goals, and policy priorities.
- Lead and manage the community engagement team, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and support to ensure the effective execution of initiatives.
- Collaborate closely with the Chief Policy Officer(CPO) to ensure community engagement efforts align with the organization's advocacy priorities and policy initiatives. This includes integrating policy goals into community strategies and ensuring that engagement activities support the broader legislative and REFORM objectives.
- Work with senior leadership to integrate community engagement efforts across all organizational functions.
- Community and Partner Engagement:
- Establish and nurture relationships with key community stakeholders, grantees, and partners to advance REFORMs mission.
- Serve as one of the primary representatives of REFORM in the community, actively participating in events, meetings, and forums to advocate for the organizations initiatives and policy goals.
- Develop and lead strategic campaigns and initiatives to enhance community awareness and support for REFORMs advocacy priorities.
- Organize and lead coalition-building efforts, bringing together diverse stakeholders to create unified fronts on critical social impact issues and foster collaborative partnerships to advance shared goals.
- Stakeholder Management:
- Address and resolve stakeholder concerns and feedback in a timely and professional manner, ensuring REFORMs values and objectives are upheld in all community interactions.
- Advocate for the organizations interests in community discussions and initiatives, ensuring that REFORMs voice is represented and heard.
- Data-Driven Decision Making:
- Analyze community engagement metrics and utilize data-driven insights to inform strategy development and decision-making processes.
- Report on community engagement activities and outcomes to senior leadership, providing recommendations for continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Social Work, Communications, or a related field. A Masters degree is preferred.
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in community engagement, external affairs, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a senior management or leadership role.
- Proven track record of developing and implementing successful community engagement strategies and partnerships, particularly within the social impact or criminal justice reform sectors.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of social impact, community engagement, and criminal justice reform advocacy.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, partnership development, and stakeholder management.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, and team management skills.
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and public speaking abilities.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to leverage data to drive decisions.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Willingness to travel approximately 30-40% of the time, as needed.
Personal Attributes:
- The ability to think strategically and envision the long-term impact of community engagement on REFORMs mission.
- A deep understanding and compassion for the communities and individuals REFORM serves, with a commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable relationships.
- The ability to navigate and adapt to challenges while maintaining focus on the organizations goals and mission.
- A strong ethical compass with a commitment to transparency, honesty, and accountability in all interactions.
- An awareness and sensitivity to diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, with the ability to engage effectively across a wide range of community groups.
- A genuine enthusiasm for social impact, advocacy, and community building, with a drive to inspire others to join in REFORMs mission.
- A team-oriented mindset with a strong ability to work effectively with others across all levels of the organization and with external partners.
Salary Range: $225,000-$250,000 Perks and Benefits:At REFORM Alliance, you'll engage in impactful, mission-driven work while enjoying comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other ancillary options. We prioritize your well-being and mental health by providing Talkspace at no cost, along with a generous 4% employer match on retirement plans, fully vested from day one. We also offer 3 weeks of PTO and 11 paid holidays to ensure a healthy work-life balance. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community development makes REFORM a place where your work truly matters.
About REFORM Alliances Culture:
At REFORM Alliance, we strive to move hearts and minds to create a more humane criminal justice system. This requires us to maintain a company culture that values employee individuality and community development. We are committed to fostering an