Working at the Center for Improving Youth Justice
Values
Our values are at the core of who we are. They guide us on how we show up and work together to be our best selves and achieve our mission to improve juvenile justice outcomes and integrate research into practice.
Values
Our values are at the core of who we are. They guide us on how we show up and work together to be our best selves and achieve our mission to improve juvenile justice outcomes and integrate research into practice.
Benefits
We are committed to creating a working environment where our team members can thrive. We offer paid time off as well as other benefits that reflect our commitment to a healthy work-life balance.
Benefits
We are committed to creating a working environment where our team members can thrive. We offer paid time off as well as other benefits that reflect our commitment to a healthy work-life balance.
Growth
Growth isn’t always linear, so we’ll support you in achieving your personal and professional goals. You’ll have the opportunity to take on big responsibilities that impact our organization's success and challenge you in new and fulfilling ways
Growth
Growth isn’t always linear, so we’ll support you in achieving your personal and professional goals. You’ll have the opportunity to take on big responsibilities that impact our organization's success and challenge you in new and fulfilling ways
Current Opportunities
Position Overview
The Director of Membership & Partnerships is a key leadership role responsible for expanding CIYJ’s reach and impact through strategic membership growth and partnership development. This position drives revenue through fee-for-service memberships while building collaborative relationships with agencies, jurisdictions, and organizations committed to youth justice reform. The Director also supervises CIYJ’s team of experienced coaches and ensures seamless onboarding experiences for new members.Key Responsibilities
Membership Development & Revenue Generation- Develop and execute strategies to grow CIYJ’s membership base and achieve revenue targets
- Identify and cultivate prospective member organizations through outreach, networking, and relationship building
- Conduct needs assessments and consultative conversations with potential members
- Present CIYJ’s services and value proposition to decision-makers at juvenile justice agencies and related organizations
- Negotiate membership agreements and close deals
- Maintain a membership pipeline and accurate tracking systems
- Monitor membership retention and implement strategies to maximize renewals
- Identify, cultivate, and establish strategic partnerships with youth justice organizations, advocacy groups, government agencies, and related stakeholders
- Develop collaborative initiatives that advance CIYJ’s mission and expand organizational reach
- Represent CIYJ at conferences, convenings, and coalition meetings
- Negotiate partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding
- Maintain and strengthen existing partnership relationships
- Supervise and support CIYJ’s team of experienced coaches
- Conduct regular check-ins, provide feedback, and facilitate professional development
- Design and oversee comprehensive onboarding processes for new members
- Ensure smooth transitions from sales to service delivery
- Monitor member satisfaction and address concerns proactively
- Collaborate with coaches to ensure high-quality service delivery
- Develop annual membership and partnership goals aligned with organizational strategic priorities
- Track and analyze membership and partnership metrics
- Prepare regular reports for the Executive Director/CEO and Board of Directors
- Manage the membership and partnership budget
- Identify trends and opportunities in the youth justice field
Qualifications
Required- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (social work, criminal justice, public administration, nonprofit management, business) or equivalent experience
- 5+ years of professional experience in business development, partnerships, sales, or relationship management
- 3+ years of supervisory experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of juvenile justice systems and reform efforts
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue or growth targets
- Strong consultative sales and negotiation skills
- Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal abilities
- Experience managing remote teams or working in distributed organizations
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency with CRM systems and membership management platforms
- Commitment to racial equity and youth justice reform
- Ability to travel 30–40% (including some evenings and weekends for conferences)
- Master’s degree in a relevant field
- Direct experience working in juvenile justice, child welfare, or youth development
- Experience with fee-for-service membership models in nonprofit settings
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices in youth justice
- Existing network in the youth justice reform field
- Experience with technical assistance or coaching programs
Competencies
- Mission-driven leadership
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Strategic thinking
- Relationship building
- Results orientation
- Adaptability
- Collaborative spirit
- Cultural competency
What We Offer
- Competitive salary ($75,000–$80,000), commensurate with experience
- Annual performance-based incentive tied to membership revenue and partnership development goals
- Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Professional development opportunities
- Fully remote work environment with flexible scheduling
- Travel to conferences and partner sites (with full expense reimbursement)
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in youth justice reform
To Apply
In your cover letter, please describe:- Your experience with membership development or business development in mission-driven organizations
- Your connection to youth justice work and why this mission matters to you
- An example of a successful partnership you’ve developed
About the Center for Improving Youth Justice
The Center for Improving Youth Justice (CIYJ) is committed to transforming the juvenile justice system through evidence-based practices, coaching, and technical assistance. We partner with jurisdictions, agencies, and youth-serving organizations to implement reforms that improve outcomes for justice-involved youth and their communities. Position Overview The Performance-based Standards (PbS) Coach serves as a trusted advisor and ambassador to participating jurisdictions, supporting the successful implementation and integration of the PbS continuous improvement model into daily facility operations. This role brings deep, career-long expertise in juvenile justice—particularly within secure care—and applies that experience to guide agencies in improving conditions of confinement, strengthening staff practices, and building sustainable, data-driven systems for long-term improvement. Coaches partner closely with facility and agency leadership to translate PbS data into actionable strategies that drive better outcomes for youth and staff.Key Responsibilities
Coaching & Technical Assistance- Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor to assigned jurisdictions and facilities
- Provide ongoing coaching, guidance, and technical assistance to support effective use of PbS
- Conduct regular check-ins, site visits, and trainings to reinforce implementation and continuous improvement practices
- Help jurisdictions interpret PbS data and translate findings into actionable improvement plans
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with facility staff, leadership, and agency partners
- Serve as a “goodwill ambassador,” fostering trust through active listening, credibility, and shared problem-solving
- Create a supportive environment where staff feel comfortable discussing challenges and opportunities
- Recognize and elevate effective practices across sites to promote shared learning
- Guide jurisdictions in embedding PbS into daily operations as a sustainable, self-driven improvement model
- Identify strengths and progress, while constructively addressing areas for improvement using data and experience
- Facilitate learning conversations focused on “what’s working, what’s not, and why”
- Share proven strategies, tools, and practices from across the PbS network
- Provide clear, constructive, and confidential feedback to site and agency leadership
- Serve as a critical “listening post” to elevate field insights and emerging needs
- Document and share success stories and effective practices that can benefit other jurisdictions
- Contribute to internal team discussions to strengthen coaching approaches and service delivery
- PbS operates on a biannual data collection cycle, with major collection periods in April and October
- Coaches are expected to provide increased, responsive support to assigned sites during the reporting and finalization periods that follow (primarily May and November)
- This includes helping sites complete data entry, interpret results, and prepare for improvement planning
- Outside of these peak periods, Coaches are expected to conduct on-site visits and in-person technical assistance, typically scheduled during summer and winter months between data cycles
- Travel is a regular and expected part of the role and varies based on assigned jurisdictions
Qualifications
Required- Extensive, senior-level experience in juvenile justice, including leadership within secure facilities
- Demonstrated experience managing operations at the facility and/or agency level
- Deep understanding of conditions of confinement, youth development, and system improvement efforts
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders
- Ability to analyze data and guide organizations in using data to drive decision-making
- Experience working across multiple jurisdictions or systems
- Background in performance measurement, quality assurance, or continuous improvement models
- Familiarity with PbS or similar data-driven reform initiatives
- Experience providing coaching, training, or technical assistance to agencies