Chief Program Officer - Policy, Research, and Prevention

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti‑racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, visit

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Chief Program Officer, Policy, Research, and Prevention is responsible for oversight, management, and supervision of the following program areas: Policy, which advocates for legislative changes at both the state and federal levels to make our criminal legal system more fair, compassionate and equitable for everyone; Data Science & Research, which collects and manages information about every Innocence Project victory and researches the contributing factors to wrongful conviction and provides expertise to the Innocence Project’s staff; and Strategic Litigation which uses legal advocacy and training to strengthen the standards that govern the use of science in criminal legal systems. The Chief Program Officer, Policy, Research, and Prevention serves as a primary thought partner to the talented, creative, and hardworking team of experienced professionals that they lead. They are responsible for keeping the teams under their supervision aligned, focused, motivated, and high performing to ensure the effectiveness and quality of work in each area.

This role is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, serving as an essential organizational leader with responsibilities that extend beyond their department. In this capacity, the Chief Program Officer, Policy, Research, and Prevention is responsible for contributing to the overall direction, strategy, and health of the organization.

Specifically, they are responsible for:

• effectively managing department staff to encourage alignment, motivation and high-performance,
• contributing to organization wide strategic planning, decision making, and resource allocation,
• responsible for achieving departmental objectives and regularly reporting on the department’s progress and outcomes to the Board, senior leadership, and the IP staff during office-wide meetings, and
• modeling the Innocence Project’s values of an inclusive and respectful workplace and encouraging the same from their staff.

The Chief Program Officer, Policy, Research, and Prevention reports to the Executive Director, and also works closely with all members of the Senior Leadership Team – including the Chief Program Officer, Exoneration Strategy & Support, Chief People and Culture Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Communications Officer, and the Chief Development Officer – to advance the vision, strategy, goals, integration and cohesion of the Innocence Project.

The Chief Program Officer, Policy, Research, and Prevention will model the Innocence Project’s values of an inclusive and respectful workplace and encourage the same from their staff. All Innocence Project employees must model our IP Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person‑centeredness, quality focus, and self‑awareness. In addition, they must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e‑verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in‑office. We currently have a hybrid in‑office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in‑office days is subject to change.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Innocence Project seeks an accomplished senior leader with deep expertise in criminal legal system reform and a strong understanding of state and federal policy advocacy, research, rigorous data collection strategy, and strategic litigation. They bring a proven track record of supporting and mentoring strong leaders and providing strategic direction, support, and accountability to high‑performing teams. They excel at aligning complex functions around shared goals, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and ensuring that policy, research, and litigation efforts work together to achieve systemic impact. They are a collaborative and influential organizational leader, capable of building strong internal and external partnerships while advancing the mission, values, and long‑term strategic objectives of the Innocence Project.

In addition, the ideal candidate models our IP Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person‑centeredness, quality focus, and self‑awareness. All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP:

• Report to the Executive Director and work in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team to implement the Innocence Project’s strategic vision and plan for its substantive program departments;
• Serve as a spokesperson for the Innocence Project, with the Executive Director, Program Directors, and staff, articulating the Innocence Project’s positions on a broad range of issues to the public and diverse stakeholder constituencies;
• Work in close, intentional collaboration with the Chief Program Officer, Exoneration Strategy & Support to translate lessons learned from individual cases into systemic interventions and preventive strategies. Support collaboration, communication and alignment between strategic litigation, post‑conviction litigation and special litigation dockets;
• Cultivate, build and maintain strategic relationships to advance the Innocence Project’s mission, to engage on shared priorities, and to exchange knowledge and information.

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP:

• Maintain deep expertise in each Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program and work closely with those Program Directors to provide strategic thought‑partnership, mentorship and guidance;
• Collaborate with Directors of Data Science & Research, Strategic Litigation, and Policy as they work to advance policy reforms, collect and analyze data, publish research findings, and guide strategic litigation initiatives.
• Ensure integration of evidence‑based insights across policy, research, data science and research, and strategic litigation to effectively advance the Innocence Project’s mission of preventing wrongful convictions;
• Plan and manage budgets with Directors of Data Science & Research, Strategic Litigation, and Policy and ensure effective use of organizational resources to ensure accountability and excellent stewardship;

PEOPLE AND TEAM MANAGEMENT:

• Foster cross‑Program collaboration, identify opportunities and create strategies for further integration, communication, and cooperation;
• In partnership with Directors of Data Science & Research, Strategic Litigation, and Policy, set goals, monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, solve problems, and evaluate resource allocation;
• Effectively manage and coach Directors as they supervise high performing program staff;
• Develop and manage processes for teams as required to enhance clarity, efficiency, efficacy, and morale.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree plus 15 years experience or Bachelor’s degree plus 17 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years managing teams involving complex tradeoffs and coordination;
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree preferred;
• For candidates with a JD, must be a current member, in good standing, of the New York bar or eligibility for admission to the New York bar via motion pursuant to Section 520.10 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law within 6 months of start date is required;
• Broad background in criminal justice, including familiarity with the Innocence Project’s program areas;
• A demonstrated commitment to criminal, racial and social justice and to the Innocence Project’s goals, mission, and values;
• Demonstrated success working effectively with external partners including donors, pro‑bono law firms, and government officials;
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

LEADERSHIP AND TEAM MEMBER DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCIES:

• Motivation and Inspiration: fosters a positive, inclusive environment that energizes team members, encourages initiative, and supports a high performing, engaged team.
• Talent Development: sets clear expectations, holds regular 1:1s, completes annual performance reviews, provides ongoing feedback, encourages continuous professional development, and participates in the recruitment and robust onboarding of new team members.
• Strategic Alignment and Collaboration: works with senior leadership to establish departmental goals that align with organizational priorities and partners with other teams and senior leadership as needed to share knowledge and achieve team and organizational objectives; translate organizational objectives into actionable plans for the team.
• Empowerment and Communication: delegates effectively, promotes accountability, maintains open, transparent communication both to and within the team, across departments and programs, and with senior leadership; removes barriers to support team success.
• Engagement and Resolution: proactively addresses individual and team challenges, resolves issues constructively when possible, and fosters a cohesive, collaborative and effective work environment.
• Values Based Leadership: leads by example, embodying and modeling the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, equity, empathy and compassion, person‑centeredness, quality focus, self‑awareness.

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• A management style that is open and consultative with a focus on team building and creating a culture of belonging and inclusion
• Capacity to deeply engage in equity work internally with staff throughout the Innocence Project and externally, in the spaces in which the Innocence Project operates
• Ability to listen, communicate effectively, coach, shepherd, and support people to achieve shared goals
• Ability to manage multiple competing demands and resources and make decisions in a fast‑paced environment
• Effective internal and external communications skills and the ability to engage and appropriately mobilize and utilize the skills and experiences across departments
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Superior attention to detail
• Outstanding judgment and problem‑solving abilities
• Flexibility, grace and a sense of humor
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shared commitment to the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person‑centeredness, quality focus, and self‑awareness

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS

The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package, including fully‑paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with 6% company‑match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company‑paid transportation benefits.

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio‑economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

Upon submission of your application you will be requested to complete an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) survey. This survey is part of our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The information you provide is voluntary and confidential. Completing the survey helps us track our progress in creating a fair and equitable environment. This data is used for reporting purposes only. Please note, the identities presented in the survey reflect federal language required by law. The Innocence Project acknowledges that not all identities are included and any reference to gender explicitly refers to biological sex. We recognize these terms are limited and we strive to humanize our internal practices. Your completion of the survey is greatly appreciated.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please click ‘Apply for this Job’ below. Upload a resume titled with your name in this format (last name_first name_resume). In the space provided, add a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work. Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential.

*At the Innocence Project, we believe in recognizing talent and passion beyond formal educational qualifications. We are committed to considering a broad array of candidates with a range of professional and lived experiences and backgrounds. We know that transferable skills can be gained through a variety of ways that could enable a candidate to be successful in a role, not just formal education. For this position, if you have at least 22 years of experience in this or a related field, we encourage you to apply regardless of your educational background. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition to a new career path, or taking the next step in your professional life, we encourage you to apply if you have additional experience in lieu of the posted educational requirements.

SALARY RANGE

$229,500 - $298,000. Salary commensurate with experience.