Executive Director

Reporting to:
Youth Justice Network Board of Trustees

Deadline for Submitting Applications:
April 10, 2026

About Youth Justice Network

Youth Justice Network (YJN) was founded in 1990 on the school floors of Rikers Island to offer pathways for young people – mostly 16 to 19 and almost entirely youth of color – to build positive futures. YJN programs target a range of outcomes, from educational and career advancement to parenting skills, mental health and wellness. YJN thus empowers justice‑impacted young people to achieve personal growth and economic independence, thereby changing their lives and the lives of their families and communities.

The organization emerged out of the raw, stark reality of thousands of teenagers – 16 to 19 and almost entirely youth of color – languishing in custody for months on end. With no post‑release supports and in the absence of “aftercare” in an adult criminal legal system, young people experienced a revolving door of incarceration, without healthy pathways out.

YJN is anchored by community hubs in Harlem, downtown Brooklyn, and the South Bronx. In 2021, we created Shifting Gears™, a mobile version of our advocacy work which travels deep in neighborhoods. YJN’s advocates work weekly on Rikers Island and in juvenile detention, building trusting relationships and providing services which continue post‑release.

Youth Justice Network is entering a new chapter. Our current Executive Director will be stepping down in 2026 after 18 years of visionary leadership during which the organization grew from a budget of 500,000 and 10 staff and volunteers, to its current levels. She shepherded a turn‑around in impact, reputation, and shaped the organization to offer leadership in the youth justice field.

The next Executive Director will lead the organization through a period of significant programmatic expansion, public investment, and staff growth, while stewarding YJN’s culture, credibility, and mission. This role requires a strong, experienced leader who can balance the organization’s vision with operational discipline, deepen impact while scaling infrastructure, and represent YJN with authority across government, philanthropy, advocacy coalitions, and community while maintaining one of the organization’s primary strengths: the sense of ownership, commitment and long‑standing tenure of its staff.

Youth Justice Network is at a tipping point—poised to deepen its impact at scale while building on the individualized advocacy and relationships that have defined its work for 35 years. The next Executive Director will inherit a strong foundation and be entrusted with shaping the organization’s future during a moment of urgency and opportunity.

• Articulate and advance YJN’s mission, vision, and values, benefit ting from the organization’s 35 years of practice and innovation while positioning the organization for its next phase of growth, influence, and impact across New York City and beyond.
• Serve as YJN’s chief external ambassador and thought leader, strengthening the organization’s partnerships with public agencies, elected officials, philanthropic partners, individual donors, and field‑building networks to advance systems change and secure sustainable investment.
• Ensure mission integrity across all programs and partnerships, using data, experience, and continuous learning to assess impact, adapt strategy, and deepen outcomes for young people and families.
• Champion equity, dignity, and youth‑centered practice, embedding trauma‑informed, and community‑rooted approaches into organizational strategy, policy positions, and public engagement.
• Build alignment and shared purpose across Board, staff, and stakeholders, fostering clarity, trust, and collective ownership of YJN’s strategic direction.

• Provide fiduciary leadership for a growing $8–9M+ budget, ensuring strong financial controls, clean audits, accurate forecasting, scenario planning, and transparent reporting in partnership with the Board and Director of Finance & Administration.
• Lead financial strategy in alignment…