Executive Director

About Youth Justice Network

Youth Justice Network (YJN) was founded in 1990 on the school floors of Rikers Island to offer pathways for young people – mostly 16 to 19 and almost entirely youth of color – to build positive futures. YJN programs target a range of outcomes, from educational and career advancement to parenting skills, mental health and wellness. YJN thus empowers justice-impacted young people to achieve personal growth and economic independence, thereby changing their lives, and the lives of their families and communities.

The organization emerged out of the raw, stark reality of thousands of teenagers - 16 to 19 and almost entirely youth of color - languishing in custody for months on end. With no post-release supports and in the absence of “aftercare” in an adult criminal legal system, young people experienced a revolving door of incarceration, without healthy pathways out.

YJN is anchored by community hubs in Harlem, downtown Brooklyn, and the South Bronx. In 2021, we created Shifting GearsTM, a mobile version of our advocacy work which travels deep in neighborhoods. YJN’s advocates work weekly on Rikers Island and in juvenile detention, building trusting relationships and providing services which continue post-release.

The Opportunity

Youth Justice Network is entering a new chapter. Our current Executive Director will be stepping down in 2026 after 18 years of visionary leadership during which the organization grew from a budget of 500,000, and 10 staff and volunteers, to its current levels. She shepherded a turn-around in impact, reputation, and shaped the organization to offer leadership in the youth justice field. The next Executive Director will lead the organization through a period of significant programmatic expansion, public investment, and staff growth, while stewarding YJN’s culture, credibility, and mission. This role and this moment requires a strong, experienced leader who can balance the organization’s vision with operational discipline, deepen impact while scaling infrastructure, and represent YJN with authority across government, philanthropy, advocacy coalitions, and community while maintaining one of the organization’s primary strengths: the sense of ownership, commitment and long-standing tenure of its staff.

Youth Justice Network is at a tipping point—poised to deepen its impact at scale while building on the individualized advocacy and relationships that have defined its work for 35 years. The next Executive Director will inherit a strong foundation and be entrusted with shaping the organization’s future during a moment of urgency and opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Mission Leadership

· Articulate and advance YJN’s mission, vision, and values, benefitting from the organization’s 35 years of practice and innovation while positioning the organization for its next phase of growth, influence, and impact across New York City and beyond.

· Serve as YJN’s chief external ambassador and thought leader, strengthening the organization’s partnerships with public agencies, elected officials, philanthropic partners, individual donors, and field-building networks to advance systems change and secure sustainable investment.

· Ensure mission integrity across all programs and partnerships, using data, experience, and continuous learning to assess impact, adapt strategy, and deepen outcomes for young people and families.

· Champion equity, dignity, and youth-centered practice, embedding trauma-informed, and community-rooted approaches into organizational strategy, policy positions, and public engagement.

· Build alignment and shared purpose across Board, staff, and stakeholders, fostering clarity, trust, and collective ownership of YJN’s strategic direction.

Financial & Operational Oversight

· Provide fiduciary leadership for a growing $8–9M+ budget, ensuring strong financial controls, clean audits, accurate forecasting, scenario planning, and transparent reporting in partnership with the Board and Director of Finance & Administration.

· Lead financial strategy in alignment with mission and growth, including multi-year planning, government contract and reimbursement management, and preparation for funding volatility and policy shifts.

· Oversee and strengthen organizational operations and infrastructure, ensuring finance, HR, IT, compliance, and facilities systems are integrated, scalable, and responsive to a complex, multi-site organization.

· Ensure risk management, compliance, and long-term asset stewardship, including adherence to contract and regulatory requirements, governance best practices, reserves management, and capital and infrastructure planning.

Development, Fundraising, Communications

· Lead an integrated development and communications strategy that advances YJN’s mission, sustains operations, and supports long-term growth through coordinated fundraising, messaging, and external engagement.

· Serve as a primary steward of external relationships, cultivating and sustaining strong partnerships with public agencies, foundations, individual donors, and other key supporters aligned with YJN’s values and impact.

· Partner with the Board of Trustees to expand resources and visibility, activating Trustees as ambassadors, advocates, and connectors to philanthropic, civic, and policy networks.

· Oversee YJN’s development and communications infrastructure, including grants and donor systems, reporting, digital platforms, media relations, and revenue diversification to ensure sustainability and influence.

Outcomes and Organizational Learning

· Ensure rigorous collection, analysis, and use of data to measure program outcomes, inform strategic decision-making, and demonstrate impact to funders, policymakers, and community stakeholders.

· Oversee evaluation and performance systems that track short- and long-term outcomes for young people and families, supporting continuous improvement and accountability across programs.

· Integrate data, research, and actual experience into organizational learning, using findings to refine practice, strengthen advocacy, and adapt to emerging needs and policy shifts.

· Translate outcomes and evidence into compelling insights, aligning evaluation results with fundraising, communications, and policy strategies to reinforce YJN’s credibility and leadership in the field.

Board of Trustees Partnership & Governance

· Serve as the primary partner to the Board of Trustees, fostering a strong, transparent, and trusting relationship that supports effective governance and shared accountability for mission and strategy.

· Support the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary and governance responsibilities, providing timely, accurate information on organizational performance, risk, finances, and impact to decision-making.

· Collaborate with Board leadership on strategic planning and executive transitions, ensuring continuity, stability, and long-term organizational health.

· Engage and activate Trustees as strategic assets, supporting Board members’ roles in fundraising, external advocacy, and relationship-building aligned with YJN’s goals.

· Ensure strong governance practices and compliance, including adherence to bylaws, policies, ethical standards, and nonprofit best practices.

· Partner with the Board on recruitment, development, and evaluation of Trustees, helping to build a diverse, skilled, and mission-aligned Board that reflects the communities YJN serves.

Qualifications & Experience

The ideal candidate will bring:

· Senior executive leadership experience within a complex nonprofit, public-sector, or justice-adjacent organization, with responsibility spanning strategy, operations, communication, fundraising and external engagement for minimum 5 years.

· A proven track record of organizational and financial stewardship, including oversight of multi-million-dollar budgets and leadership through periods of growth, change, or transition.

· Strong political and relational acumen, with demonstrated experience working effectively with government agencies, philanthropic partners, individual donors, policymakers, and advocacy coalitions.

· A collaborative, values-driven leadership style, grounded in integrity, accountability, and respect for lived experience, that builds trust across staff, Board, and community stakeholders.

· Deep alignment with youth justice, racial equity, and community-based approaches to safety, healing, and wellbeing, informed by both professional experience and values.

Salary Range – $140,000 – $160,000

Interested candidates should send a thoughtful cover letter and resume to edselection@youthjustice.org