Project Director, Eviction Diversion Initiative; Upstate NY

Overview

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide. Learn more about our work ovatingjustice.org.

The Center for Justice Innovation seeks a Project Director to launch and lead the Eviction Diversion Initiative ("EDI") in Syracuse City Court and Rochester City Court. Launched in 2022, EDI is a partnership between the Center for Justice Innovation and the New York State Unified Court System. EDI’s mission is to ensure people facing eviction can access the holistic resources needed to maintain safe and stable housing.

Reporting to the Director of Housing Justice Initiatives, the Project Director will lead strategic planning, implementation and day-to-day operations of EDI, supervising staff, and ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery. The Project Director will serve as a key bridge between tenants, court partners, community organizations, and service providers, ensuring landlord-tenant court is a place where people facing eviction can find support with immediate and interconnected needs and remain stably housed.

The Project Director will play a critical role in strengthening and expanding EDI’s presence in Upstate New York, deepening relationships with courts and local partners, and advancing innovations to promote housing stability and access to justice.

• Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of all EDI programming and service delivery in Syracuse and Rochester;
• Oversee daily operations, including supervising staff and interns, training, administrative systems, participant data tracking, facility and technology issues, as needed;
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with judicial and non-judicial court personnel, legal service providers, government agencies, and community-based advocacy and service organizations;
• Develop and manage partnerships that connect participants to legal assistance, health, code enforcement, rental assistance, public benefits, mental health services, employment, affordable housing, domestic violence, and economic stability resources;
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to troubleshoot operational challenges and develop or refine systems;
• Champion co-design principles by involving individuals with lived experience and expertise in policy and program design;
• Ensure staff provide high-quality, trauma-informed, and rights-based education and services to participants;
• Facilitate regular staff meetings, case conferences, trainings, and team-building activities that promote collaboration, innovation, and an inclusive workplace culture;
• Manage program budget, spending, and fiscal reporting;
• Oversee data collection to ensure compliance with funder requirements and achievement of performance goals;
• Lead fundraising and grant management efforts, including proposals and progress reports;
• Collaborate closely with Center-wide departments (fiscal, development, data analytics/research, HR, legal, technology, communications, government partnerships and administration) to support EDI operations;
• Represent the Center at meetings, panels, trainings, and public forums;
• Oversee development of outreach, communications, and marketing content and materials; and
• Additional tasks as necessary.

• Master's degree and 3-5 years of relevant professional or a Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of relevant experience, as well as at…