Advocacy Manager, Reshaping Prosecution Initiative (Washington D.C. or Brooklyn, NY)

Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice, founded in 1961, is a nonprofit criminal justice organization that strives to build just government institutions and safe communities free from the scourge of racism, white supremacy, profit, and inequity that is pervasive in this country’s legal systems. We are an “inside” lane organization that drives change at scale with ambitious public sector leaders who share our commitment to building anti-racist, reparative systems that deliver justice. We leverage our access to government to transform these systems and work collaboratively with stakeholders across many movements—including advocacy, grassroots, and grasstop organizations. Our role is to pilot solutions that are transformative and achievable, harness the power of evidence to drive effective policy and practice, and use advocacy and communications to change narratives and norms.

Vera has a staff of just over 300 people and offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

Who you are:

A Reshaping Prosecution (RP) Advocacy Manager will lead RP’s efforts to effect legislative, regulatory, and policy changes at the state and/or local level to shrink the front end of the criminal legal system, address racial disparities in the criminal system, and increase prosecutors’ accountability to the communities they serve. The RP Advocacy Manager will, in partnership with RP leadership and Vera’s Advocacy and Partnership department, develop advocacy plans based on the advocacy priorities in RP’s Theory of Change and strategic plan, and implement advocacy initiatives, campaigns, and lobbying efforts in RP’s sites and on a national scale. The RP Advocacy Manager will report directly to the Deputy Director of RP and have a close line of supervision and collaboration with Vera’s Advocacy & Partnerships department to advance RP’s advocacy goals.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with RP leads and with direction from Vera’s Advocacy and Partnerships department, plan and execute RP’s advocacy campaigns around the issues identified in RP’s advocacy plan.
• Help the RP team identify partnerships with community advocates and organizers and propose campaigns to influence government and elected officials.
• Educate, build strong relationships, and advocate directly with elected officials and appointed leaders and staff.
• Lead RP’s partnership and coalition work in support of its state and/or local advocacy plans, including by leading and facilitating meetings with community partners.
• Collaborate with RP’s communications lead to identify key audiences and messages for campaigns.
• Represent RP’s interests in issue-based coalitions and alliances.
• Manage and collaborate with lobbyists when necessary on RP legislative campaigns.
• Draft fact sheets, talking points, testimony, and other campaign education and outreach materials.
• Monitor and analyze legislation and associated news that impacts RP’s technical assistance work and RP’s advocacy priorities.
• Join with Vera’s advocacy practice and learning community to share and workshop goal-setting, strategies, and tactics.

What qualifications do you need?

Required:

• Proven track record developing and executing effective local and/or national campaigns on a justice-reform, social justice, or similar issue.

Preferred:

• Bachelors degree + 6-9 years of relevant experience.  In lieu of a Bachelors degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.
• At least three years’ experience working within the criminal legal system.
• At least five years’ experience in state or local advocacy in the criminal justice space or a similar area.

List of Required Software Applications:

• Microsoft Office Suite

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation range for this position is $111,000 – $116,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff—both personally and professionally—is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time and remote work schedules. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Advocacy Manager, Reshaping Prosecution Initiative
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

As a federal contractor, and in order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org