Location: New York, NY

Partner and Engagement Manager, Pathways & Mobility

Reports to: Senior Director, Pathways & Mobility

Organization Overview

REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America’s 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. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO.

Position Overview

REFORM is looking to expand its impact to include lifting people impacted by the justice system out of poverty. To pursue this goal this new department will partner with corporate leaders, non-profit organizations and workforce experts REFORM to normalize the inclusion and advancement of people with a previous conviction in the labor market.  Specifically, REFORM will be launching a narrative change initiative that seeks to shift perceptions of justice-impacted job seekers and dramatically expand the number of businesses that practice second chance hiring.  Working with a coalition of leading national organizations we are designing a shared narrative strategy that will guide our messaging and employer engagement activities.  We will then pilot this strategy in 2 sites over the next year, running local campaigns based on the narrative strategy.  Through national and local work we will refine our approach to engaging corporations, ultimately developing a model that can be replicated across the country. 

Position Summary

The Partner and Engagement Manager will be responsible for supporting the execution of the Pathways and Mobility program at REFORM.  Working closely with the Senior Director, this role will play a critical role in establishing and expanding partnerships with business, government and nonprofit organizations.  This role will lead in the development and refinement of the tools and resources our partners need to expand second chance hiring.  The success of this program will hinge on our ability to support businesses, in particular, as they move from awareness to action around second chance hiring.  As this is a new program, this role will have freedom to design that journey for our partners, working closely with corporate leaders and experts from the field.  This will include refining the “sales pitch” to convince businesses to explore second chance hiring as well as providing ongoing resources and support, including connecting them with experts in the field.  This will require developing a strong grasp on the current research and trends in the justice and mobility space, as well as the ability to conduct research and analysis on labor markets and hiring practices, including the ability to work with quantitative data (though no statistical background is necessary). This will require a person capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously and turning around high quality materials quickly, with an attention to detail. This position will be evaluated on their ability to translate the larger vision of the Pathways and Mobility program into tangible work products that move companies along the journey to embracing second chance hiring. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist Sr. Director in executing the strategic plan for the Pathways and Mobility department REFORM 
• Develop content needed to support the program such as pitch decks, research briefs, explainers on second chance hiring, etc.  These would be primarily be for businesses but may include other audiences
• Analyze and assess labor markets and/or businesses to identify potential corporate partners and pilot sites 
• Along with Sr Director, establish and sustain partnerships with leading justice and workforce organizations that can offer businesses direct support around expanding the hiring of people impacted by the justice system
• Serve as a liaison for businesses that in the process of adopting second chance hiring, ensuring they have the tools needed to continue moving forward
• Establish partnerships with businesses and business coalitions that are willing to be leaders in creating a fair chance labor market, in collaboration with Sr. Director
• Provide direct support to partners, both corporate and justice/workforce, to sustain the goals of the program

Education and Experience

• At least 4 years of experience and/or education in business, broadly defined (e.g. business school, corporate employment, etc.)
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, especially with corporate leaders
• Ability to create compelling presentations and reports that will spark partner interest in working with REFORM
• Highly organized and detail oriented, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
• Passion for criminal justice reform and a deep commitment to elevating the voices of those most harmed and least helped by current approaches to incarceration and crime in advocating for change
• Self­ starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial
• Enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives and systems for communications and accountability. 

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 environment that is inclusive, empowering and globally minded. We firmly believe that diversity in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, cultural background, religion, disability and age produces ideas and perspectives that make our efforts stronger for people unjustly in the system and make our company a better place to work. Our leadership team is committed to embedding diversity and inclusion into everything we do and how we lead.