Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

Arnold Ventures' Criminal Justice (CJ) team aims to make communities safer and make the criminal justice system fairer and more effective, based on high-quality research evidence. The CJ team works with experts from inside and outside government and across disciplines to reform the U.S. criminal justice system through research, evidence, testing innovative pilot programs, and policy change.

We are seeking a Director of CJ Research to develop and manage rigorous research investments that advance CJ reform, and to provide thought leadership across the CJ team. This position can be based in any of Arnold Ventures' three offices: Houston, New York City, or Washington D.C., and will report to the Vice President of Criminal Justice Research.

Core Responsibilities

• Work closely with the CJ Policy team and academic consultants to pilot and replicate promising policies or programs, using strong causal research designs
• In partnership with academic consultants, support the work of the CJ Policy and Advocacy teams
• Work with Arnold Ventures' Board of Directors and CJ Research team to develop and refine Arnold Ventures' strategies and priorities; identify, develop and present charitable investment/grant recommendations to Arnold Ventures' Board of Directors; develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders, experts, and new and existing grantees
• Provide leadership to the Research team/direct reports as they work toward the team's strategic goals
• Provide thought partnership on CJ Policy projects as they are being developed and executed by the Policy team to ensure they are consistent with research
• Oversee research investments and partnerships and draw lessons from them to inform strategic priorities and the development of future investments
• Lead organization and hosting of convenings of researchers, policymakers, and/or practitioners with the goal of building networks and creating new opportunities for research
• Travel to conferences to represent Arnold Ventures, network with academic and research experts, create and maintain partnerships, and learn about new research related to crime and criminal justice policy
• Collaborate with other team members to explore and develop cross-initiative investment opportunities, and build the research capacity of the CJ team

The salary range for this position will be $145,000-$200,000.

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team's ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you'll find examples of Arnold Ventures' work culture.

• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback
• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals

Arnold Ventures' values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Arnold Ventures team to make a difference.

• Respect for Ourselves & Others
• Audacious Action
• Collaborative Engagement
• Depth of Thought
• Clear Communication

Arnold Ventures is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, or any basis prohibited by applicable law.

Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, Arnold Ventures is committed to employing individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences. Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Master's degree or higher, in public policy, business, economics, or a related field
• 7 years of relevant work experience, including some experience conducting and/or overseeing significant policy-relevant criminal justice research projects
• Deep understanding of the criminal justice system and criminal justice policy
• Knowledge of causal research designs, and experience interfacing with senior-level criminal justice stakeholders about research findings related to justice programs and policies
• Ability to translate complex research findings into key takeaways for diverse audiences
• Successful track record of using research to drive change