Careers
Our growing team is composed of professionals passionate about making government work for all of us, regardless of zip code. We’re dedicated to supporting current and future leaders with research, technical assistance, education, and training in order to reach their good-governance goals.
We strive to foster an office environment and an approach to work that welcomes and respects different perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We are actively working toward our goal of recruiting and retaining staff and board members who are diverse in terms of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic status, disability, and justice system involvement.
The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance and the Research Foundation of the City University of New York are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act/Protected Veterans Status/E-Verify Employer.
For more information about our open positions, email info@islg.cuny.edu.
Current Job Openings:
Program Director
Who we are Looking for
ISLG is seeking a Program Director to provide senior-level program design and implementation leadership, project management, and strategic support across multiple high-priority initiatives aligned with the new NYC Mayoral administration. This role requires a seasoned policy and implementation professional who can cultivate strong relationships with government and community partners; design and implement strategies aligned with NYC government priorities; and manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
The Program Director will play a key role in advancing ISLG’s work on community-centered precision violence reduction strategies that are co-produced with local residents, and comprehensive jail reentry efforts that seek to advance safety through decreased recidivism and, simultaneously, reduce jail population. This includes serving as a strategic partner on program design and continuous refinement; leading project management and implementation planning, including timelines, milestones, and phased rollout across early adopter and expansion sites; developing and revising core program materials, protocols, and implementation tools to ensure consistency and fidelity; and coordinating closely with internal and external partners and experts to advance a unified, aligned approach across all stakeholders.
The Program Director may contribute across multiple portfolios; however, their primary responsibility is to lead implementation on these two high-priority initiatives, and other strategic initiatives and special projects that may arise. These initiatives collectively focus on advancing community-centered safety through a combination of place-based and person-based approaches that incorporate coordinated, data-informed, and trauma-informed strategies.
The Program Director will report to a Senior Fellow on a range of tasks, which may include but are not limited to:
Leading the strategic development, refinement, and execution of multi-site program models, ensuring alignment across program design, implementation, and stakeholder priorities; identifying key risks and opportunities and driving solutions in partnership with senior leadership.
Directing all aspects of project management and implementation, including establishing and overseeing workplans, timelines, and deliverables; ensuring accountability across partners; and proactively addressing barriers to successful execution.
Designing and overseeing a phased implementation strategy, including pilot launches, early adopter sites, and large-scale expansion; setting standards for implementation fidelity while guiding appropriate adaptation across diverse contexts.
Overseeing the development and continuous improvement of core program materials, including program model documentation, implementation protocols, and stakeholder communications; ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment across all partners and workstreams.
Serving as a primary point of leadership and coordination with key external stakeholders; representing the project in high-level meetings and supporting strategic decision-making processes.
Leading cross-agency and cross-partner alignment efforts to ensure a cohesive and unified approach to implementation, including facilitating collaboration among government, nonprofit, and research stakeholders.
Partnering closely with ISLG research staff to align implementation and evaluation strategies, including overseeing integration of data collection into program operations and ensuring that findings are translated into actionable program improvements.
Contributing to broader ISLG strategic priorities related to community violence intervention, public safety, and comprehensive reentry and jail population reduction including supporting thought leadership, field engagement, and the advancement of best practices.
Other duties as assigned.
Our office is located in New York City and ISLG offers a hybrid work structure
We would love to hear from you if you have:
Advanced degree in public administration, public policy, criminology, health policy, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience in community or peer leadership.
Ten or more years of experience in government, nonprofit, academic, foundation, or policy environments leading and managing complex initiatives, including program design and implementation.
At least five years of experience working within or in close partnership with government systems strongly preferred.
Demonstrated expertise and leadership in advancing community-led strategies to reduce violence, including experience supporting approaches that position communities as co-producers of safety and justice and that operate at scale across multiple jurisdictions or sites.
Demonstrated expertise and leadership in advancing comprehensive strategies to reduce unnecessary incarceration and support successful reentry, including experience designing or implementing cross-system approaches that improve life stability, behavioral health outcomes, and education and employment opportunities for people returning home from incarceration.
Experience leading or advising large-scale, multi-jurisdictional, or national initiatives, and/or advising senior government officials on policy, strategy, and implementation.
Deep understanding of the community violence intervention (CVI) ecosystem, justice system operations, and the intersection of public safety, public health, and community-based approaches.
Strong project leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, manage competing priorities, and drive progress in dynamic and evolving environments.
Experience working across multiple sectors and stakeholders, including government agencies, community-based organizations, and research partners; demonstrated ability to build trust and facilitate alignment across diverse groups.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing high-quality reports, strategic documents, and briefing materials for senior audiences.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate policy and research into actionable program design and implementation strategies.
How to Apply
To apply please visit https://rfcuny.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/RFCUNY/details/Program-Director_JR2356. For this role, please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and interests and attach your resume or curriculum vitae. Questions about the position can be addressed to info@islg.cuny.edu. Applications received prior to June 1, 2026 will be considered for an interview.
Pay Range:
This is a full-time position in New York City with a salary range of $120,000-$150,000 and excellent benefits, including:
Comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance
Paid vacation and personal days
Paid sick leave
CUNY tuition reimbursement program
Pre-tax benefits for transit and healthcare costs
Family/parental leave
Life insurance
A retirement plan with employer contribution
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals
About CUNY ISLG
The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance has a mission to improve the financing, delivery, and measurement of critical public services through research, technical assistance, and education. We lead projects aimed at reforming the criminal justice system, measuring urban inequality, expanding the reach of social service providers, and more. Our staff have the opportunity to work with colleagues and supervisors across projects and with different types of expertise. We are seeking new team members with enthusiasm to shape the future of state and local policy.
Our Goals for Diversity and Inclusion
We strive to foster an office environment and an approach to work that welcomes and respects different perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We are working towards our goal of continuing to recruit and retain staff and board members who are diverse in terms of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic status, disability, and justice system involvement.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Program Director, Training and Technical Assistance
Who We Are looking for
ISLG is seeking a Program Director of Training and Technical Assistance to provide senior-level program design and implementation leadership, project management, and strategic support across multiple high-priority initiatives aligned with the new NYC Mayoral administration. This role requires a seasoned policy and implementation professional who can cultivate strong relationships with government and community partners; design and implement strategies aligned with NYC government priorities; and manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
The Program Director will play a key role in advancing ISLG’s training and technical assistance (TTA) vision and strategy across portfolios, particularly with respect to TTA focused on clinical care, peer support, and social services. This includes contributing to the design and refinement of ISLG’s TTA approach, developing curricula and tools, leading interactive trainings, facilitating convenings and cross-sector dialogues, and supporting partners in strengthening program implementation, data use, and continuous improvement.
The Program Director may contribute across multiple portfolios; however, their primary responsibility is to lead the development of a cross-portfolio training and technical assistance (TTA) strategy and strengthen ISLG’s position as a leader in the capacity-building field. Accordingly, their work will span a range of projects and initiatives.
These portfolios collectively focus on advancing community-centered public safety by targeting high-need areas and populations through coordinated, data-informed, and trauma-informed strategies. This work includes designing and delivering training and technical assistance to strengthen program quality, implementation fidelity, and cross-sector coordination, while also supporting stakeholder engagement, system alignment, and community-led approaches that expand alternatives to traditional justice responses and improve service delivery.
The Program Director will report to an Associate Policy Director on a range of tasks, which may include but are not limited to:
Lead the development and implementation of a department-wide vision and strategy for Training and Technical Assistance (TTA), including frameworks, tools, and approaches that can be applied across ISLG portfolios.
Design and deliver high-quality TTA, including curriculum development, interactive trainings, coaching, and capacity-building supports for government and community partners.
Facilitate meetings, convenings, and cross-sector working sessions, including advisory groups, task forces, and learning communities, ensuring inclusive participation and actionable outcomes.
Develop strategies in partnership with City agencies to respond to NYC policy priorities and support effective program implementation.
Manage project work plans, timelines, and processes to ensure timely completion and high-quality deliverables.
Build and maintain strong relationships across diverse stakeholders, including city agencies and community partners, and coordinate ongoing communication, meetings, and site visits.
Lead or support the development of program materials, including briefing memos, reports, presentations, and other written deliverables for government partners, funders, and external stakeholders.
Represent ISLG in working groups, advisory bodies, task forces, and public- or community-facing engagements.
Supervise and mentor junior staff, contributing to staff development and a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
Conduct policy research and analysis; synthesize complex information for diverse audiences; and develop actionable recommendations.
Identify and conceptualize new opportunities, including developing proposals and supporting fundraising efforts in partnership with ISLG leadership.
Participate in cross-organizational collaboration to generate new ideas, strengthen ISLG’s body of work, and contribute to proposal development and other strategic initiatives.
Our office is located in New York City and ISLG offers a hybrid work structure.
We would love to hear from you if you have:
Advanced degree in public administration, public policy, social work (LCSW preferred), education, criminology, health policy, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience in community or peer leadership.
Ten or more years of experience in government, nonprofit, academic, foundation, or policy environments leading and managing complex initiatives, including program design and implementation.
At least five years of experience working within or in close partnership with government systems strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering training and technical assistance (TTA), including curriculum development, facilitation of trainings or convenings, and capacity-building support for diverse stakeholders.
Proven ability to contribute to or lead the development of strategic frameworks or approaches, ideally including department or organization-wide TTA vision and implementation.
Strong facilitation skills, with experience leading meetings, cross-sector working groups, advisory bodies, or learning communities and driving toward clear outcomes.
Demonstrated excellence in project management, including managing multiple complex projects simultaneously and using tools to track progress, timelines, and accountability.
Proven ability to synthesize complex information from diverse sources into clear, actionable strategies, recommendations, and implementation plans.
Exceptional written communication skills, including experience producing reports, briefing memos, training materials, manuals, or implementation guides grounded in field-based work.
Strong verbal communication skills and ability to engage effectively with government agencies, nonprofit leaders, and community members.
Experience collaborating with research, evaluation, and communications teams to strengthen program learning, impact, and storytelling.
Strong judgment, emotional intelligence, and ability to build and sustain effective, trust-based relationships across diverse stakeholders.
Commitment to equity-centered, community-informed, and participatory approaches to public policy, training, and program implementation.
Experience in restorative justice, participatory approaches, violence prevention, gender-based violence, or community safety and criminal justice initiatives are strongly preferred.
Fluency in a language other than English is a plus.
Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends for project-specific meetings and convenings.
How to Apply
To apply please visit https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings. For this role, please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and interests and attach your resume or curriculum vitae. Questions about the position can be addressed to info@islg.cuny.edu. Applications received prior to May 22, 2026 will be considered for an interview.
Pay Range
This is a full-time position in New York City with a salary of $120,000 - $150,000 and excellent benefits, including:
Comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance
Paid vacation and personal days
Paid sick leave
CUNY tuition reimbursement program
Pre-tax benefits for transit and healthcare costs
Family/parental leave
Life insurance
A retirement plan with employer contribution.
Our staff also benefit from:
A positive work/life balance.
Opportunities for advancement within the organization.
Engagement with the broader CUNY network.
Working with organizational leadership who have years of significant public sector and policymaking expertise.
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals
About CUNY ISLG
The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance has a mission to improve the financing, delivery, and measurement of critical public services through research, technical assistance, and education. We lead projects aimed at reforming the criminal justice system, measuring urban inequality, expanding the reach of social service providers, and more. Our staff have the opportunity to work with colleagues and supervisors across projects and with different types of expertise. We are seeking new team members with enthusiasm to shape the future of state and local policy.
Our Goals for Diversity and Inclusion
We strive to foster an office environment and an approach to work that welcomes and respects different perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We are working towards our goal of continuing to recruit and retain staff and board members who are diverse in terms of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic status, disability, and justice system involvement.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.