Chief Executive Officer

About DC Justice Lab

DC Justice Lab (DCJL) is a team of law and policy experts devoted to fundamentally reimagining the District of Columbia’s system of punishment—one of the largest, most expensive, and racially-imbalanced systems in the United States. We develop smarter safety solutions that are evidence-driven, community-rooted, and racially just.

We aim to end the District of Columbia’s overreliance on police, prosecutors, and prisons; eliminate the root causes of crime and violence; and reverse the harm inflicted on Black people by decades of failed criminal policies. We understand the impact of state violence on community violence and are working to implement strategies that keep Washingtonians safe.

Our work is researching smarter safety solutions, changing local practices (including more than a dozen laws to date), shifting public attitudes about community safety, and training others to do the same. We invite bold changemakers with deep expertise in law or policy, a passion for racial equity, and the vision to lead transformational change in the DC criminal justice landscape to join our committed team.

Position Summary

The inaugural Chief Executive Officer of DCJL will be a daring leader with the vision, courage, and strategic acumen to challenge entrenched systems and drive groundbreaking reforms in the DC criminal justice system. As the primary advocate for reform and the steward of the organization’s vision, the CEO will fearlessly shape priorities, inspire action, and lead strategic initiatives while serving as the face of the organization.

The CEO will develop, articulate, and advocate for clear and specific policy reforms that are tailored to the needs and demands of District residents, amplify the voices of our community, and envision clever and strategic ways to leverage our work and influence to meet the moment now and into the future. They will communicate persuasively and embrace working with policymakers and people from both sides of the political aisle. The ideal candidate will be an intrepid and seasoned organizational leader who possesses strategic, tactical, and management expertise, as well as the fortitude to reimagine a criminal justice landscape that prioritizes equity, compassion, and systemic change.

This role will have oversight over an annual operating budget of ~$1.4 million, and a team of ~20 mission-driven staff, consultants and volunteers. They will also oversee daily operations, including achieving business and fundraising goals, advising the Board of Directors on organizational activities, optimizing financial performance, providing leadership to staff, and ensuring the successful execution of all projects. The organization’s founder Patrice Sulton will transition to serving as a special advisor to the CEO and support with special projects.

Candidate Profile

Visionary Driver for Change

As an ambitious forward thinker, the CEO will passionately, boldly, and strategically identify opportunities to take big swings to expand and deepen the work locally. They will recognize that sustainable change cannot happen without the expertise of the community that is most impacted and will honor the expressed interests, concerns, agency, and capacity of Black native Washingtonians.

Strategic Thinker & Operator

The CEO will be a strategic and results-oriented leader who will - in partnership with the Board, leadership team, and staff - develop and execute the vision for DCJL’s next chapter and help the organization strike the right balance between stability and growth. The successful candidate will have the ability to set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability, and allocate resources to produce results. A track record of masterminding strategic planning initiatives and executing on those initiatives, coupled with the capacity to collaborate with diverse stakeholders toward a shared vision, will be crucial.

Team Centered Leader

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to empower a talented, diverse staff and to attract mission-driven candidates to execute on the organization’s vision. Their leadership style will prioritize people's needs and empower people to perform their best. The CEO will engender trust in the staff through a transparent and collaborative management style, focused on developing capacity, accountability, and innovation throughout the organization. The CEO will demonstrate honesty, humility, kindness, empathy, and respect for individuals while modeling organizational values.

Relationship Builder and Impactful Fundraiser

With a strong understanding of DCJL and its programs, the CEO will authentically and publicly convey the organization’s mission and impact to diverse audiences. Bringing experience in fundraising, the ideal candidate will be adept at engaging and inspiring donors to support our work. The CEO’s exceptional interpersonal and communication prowess will facilitate positive, new and ongoing connections with funders, donors, community leaders, government officials, policymakers, and law enforcement partners. With a strong network, the CEO will excel in forging genuine connections, building rapport with stakeholders from various backgrounds, and leveraging these relationships to magnify DCJL’s influence.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: In partnership with the Board and the Founder, lead the development and implementation of strategic plans, programs, and operations to execute on a bold vision for transformative change.
• Fundraising: Play a primary role in stewarding major donors while building new relationships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors.
• Operational Execution: Lead the ongoing operations of the organization by collaborating with the leadership team to execute and evaluate programs, oversee Operations, HR, Policy, Communications, Research, Compliance, Reporting, and Finance functions.
• Financial Oversight: Impart fiscal leadership through sound financial management practices with effective internal controls. Lead the preparation of an annual organizational budget and maintain the highest level of fiscal transparency and integrity with donors, staff, and board.
• Team Management: Supervise, hire, and support a working environment where employees can grow and thrive and a culture that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff committed to the mission.
• Relationship Building: Nurture and expand relationships with diverse community stakeholders, such as other nonprofits, government officials, business leaders, policy makers, community leaders, and public officials, to advance initiatives and partnerships (e.g., Police Chief, US Attorney, Chief Judge, Policy Council Members).
• Public Relations and Communications: Act as the spokesperson for organization and refine all aspects of communications—from media to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand
• Organizational Development: Professionalize systems and structures within the organization to enable successful growth and increased impact, with a particular focus on operations.
• Board Engagement: Build strong relationships with Board members. Support Board governance and strategically deploy their strengths in support of fundraising, fiduciary oversight, community relations, and the strategic advancement of DCJL’s work.
• Culture Ambassador: Model and nurture an organizational culture of deep trust and belonging, excellence, authenticity, transparency, courageous leadership, and mutual accountability.

Qualifications

The CEO will bring experience in building and implementing systems and processes for a young organization with a deep commitment to the local DC community and racial and socioeconomic justice work.

Strong candidates will offer the following skills, characteristics, and experiences:

• Passion and deep commitment for policy change, criminal justice reform, freedom and liberation
• 5+ years of leadership and team management experience
• Experience with a nonprofit or organization that works on policy advocacy, litigation focused on racial justice, civil rights, and/or criminal justice
• Success in network building with diverse constituencies - e.g. funders, nonprofits, government officials, law enforcement agencies, and/or community partners
• Positive attitude that encourages participation and enthusiasm, and that offers a flexible and cooperative approach to problem-solving while delivering on demanding timelines
• Strong value for diversity and an organizational culture that appreciates and respects differences
• Unwavering commitment to intellectual honesty, ethical behavior, and excellence in all professional endeavors
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentations to the board, funders, and other external partners
• Experiences within or related to the criminal legal system are welcome
• J.D. or graduate degree

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $150,000- $175,000

Salary is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skillset level and years of previous/applicable experience. We offer a generous benefit package: 100% employer-paid medical, dental and vision insurance for the employee; short- and long-term disability coverage; AD&D and basic life insurance; and immediate 3% 401K employer contribution.

Location

DCJL is a remote-first organization. Our staff has the option to work together in person and are permitted to work remotely, as frequently as they’d prefer. The CEO is expected to be engaged in the DC community and attend events/meetings. Though our employees are granted the flexibility to work outside the office at their discretion, each team member must maintain their residence in the District of Columbia, adjacent Maryland counties, or Northern Virginia, for at least six months each calendar year. If they currently live outside of the DC area, DCJL’s CEO is expected to relocate to the District of Columbia within six months of being hired.

Diversity Statement

DC Justice Lab is committed to building power with and providing resources to those who have historically been left out of the lawmaking process. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences within or related to the criminal legal system. We are committed to anti-racism, equity, and diversity across all aspects of our work and seek to build a team that is creative, passionate about using power to transform systems, and connected to the issues.

How to Apply

Maneva Group, a woman and minority owned national executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven searches, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To express interest in this role, please submit your resume to this link: https://adr.to/gjggmai - All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. This position is available immediately; we will accept and review new applications until filled.