Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Restorative Justice Project Maine (RJP Maine) is hiring a new Executive Director to provide leadership, oversight, and a critical, measured approach to the organization's administrative, fiscal, and day-to-day operations.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

At RJP Maine, our culture is rooted in relationships, care, and a deep belief in people's capacity for growth and change. We strive to embody restorative values not only in our programs, but also in how we work together as colleagues and move through the world. Our work is grounded in empathy, understanding, respect, and community, and in the belief that dialogue and collective action can repair harm and strengthen communities. Specifically, we are committed to expanding access to restorative solutions to harm and conflict. We are seeking an Executive Director who will nurture this culture with care, helping RJP Maine continue to deepen its statewide impact.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Executive Director is responsible for leadership, management, and supervision of staff. This position oversees programs, operations, and budget preparation/management, and fosters collaborative partnerships that enhance restorative practices. The Executive Director manages human resources, communications, and marketing, collaborating with the Board of Directors to achieve RJP's vision, goals, and strategic direction.  

Our mission is to offer the people of Maine better ways to prevent and respond to crime, wrongdoing, and conflicts - ways that heal, restore relationships, and make communities safer. Through programs, policy, and education, we provide an alternative to punitive justice and societal polarization, guided by our respect for the dignity of every human being and for the individual histories that have shaped who we are. We believe that, as members of our shared humanity, we are accountable for one another’s well-being.

We advance this mission through four core program areas:  

Youth Harm Repair – We facilitate restorative harm repair processes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system across 10 of Maine’s 16 counties, supporting accountability, healing, and growth while reducing further system involvement.  

Training & Capacity Building – We provide training in the foundations of restorative practices and harm repair processes to organizations, community groups, schools, volunteers, and practitioners throughout Maine and New England.  

Restorative Reentry – We support successful community reintegration by providing restorative programming through partnerships with the Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center in Belfast and Prosecutorial District VI’s Treatment Court.  

Advancement & Communications – We advance our mission through strategic fundraising, grant acquisition, and communications efforts that sustain and expand the organization’s impact across Maine.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leadership and Strategy: This organization sits at an exciting stage of growth and maturation, requiring strong nonprofit leadership at all levels and a strategic vision of community partnership. RJP Maine seeks a leader who is a critical thinker and well-versed in nonprofit management practices, and who will:  

● Partner with the Board of Directors to set, advance, plan, and track our strategic direction; and

● Ensure programs reflect best practices and emerging trends in restorative justice.  

2. Financial Oversight: This position is responsible for ensuring:  

● Strong internal operations and fiscal oversight; and  

● Preparation of a yearly budget with input from the Finance Committee and approval from the Board, and provision of monthly updates to the Board’s Finance Committee.  

3. Fundraising: Leading the organization’s fund development efforts in partnership with the Director of Advancement & Communications and the Board’s Development Committee to:

● Cultivate relationships with funders and donors to achieve fundraising targets and ensure sufficient resources to implement the organization’s goals; and  

● Stay abreast of relevant grant opportunities and support; write and report on grant development and filings.  

4. Marketing and Communications: Our vision requires a persuasive, engaging communicator who can inspire the staff, board, and a broad set of stakeholders. Specifically, this position must:

● Champion our organization’s mission through public speaking, special events, and networking; and  

● Ensure that our constituency consistently learns of our organization’s goals, policies, and programs.  

5. Program and Partnership Development: This position fosters collaborative partnerships that enhance restorative practices statewide by:  

● Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, schools, government officials, local and national nonprofit leaders, and other nonprofits; and  

● Expand our organization’s presence in new communities in response to identified needs.  

6. Management and Supervision: This position must oversee the following:  

● Recruit, hire, and supervise the organization’s staff team;  

● Direct day-to-day operations and program implementation;  

● Implement an equitable, care-centered workplace that respects staff's work-life commitments; and  

● Handle oversight of human resources matters.

7. Board Partnership and Governance: The position works with the Board of Directors to support our organization’s corporate responsibilities. Specific responsibilities include:  

● Report to the Board of Directors and execute the Board’s directed governance as requested;  

● Support board development, recruitment, and engagement; and  

● Preparation of board meeting and board committee agendas, presentations, and information packages in coordination with the board chair as needed.  

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Successful candidates will have a combination of education and real-life experience to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to perform job duties, including some combination of the following:  

● At least five years of senior non-profit management, including board development and governance, or comparable leadership experience;  

● Commitment to and/or experience with restorative practices and values, with the ability to integrate them into leadership, organizational culture, and daily operations;  

● Relevant education and/or equivalent lived/professional experience in one or more related fields such as non-profit management, restorative justice, criminal justice, law, youth development, or similar areas;  

● Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and supportively with people from diverse backgrounds and identities;  

● Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and developing sustainable funding streams;

● Experience in public relations, building and maintaining relationships with partners, funders, and community stakeholders;  

● Ability to clearly communicate the organization's mission and values to donors, volunteers, and diverse communities and partners;  

● Proven ability to supervise staff in a collaborative, purpose-driven, team-oriented environment;  

● Familiarity with criminal legal system processes, ACES/trauma-informed care, resilience building strategies, strengths-based approaches, youth development, and culturally responsive practices;  

● Demonstrated experience with strategic, creative, and solutions-oriented thinking; and

● Willingness to travel within our ten-county service area and work occasional evenings and weekends

RJP Maine is committed to providing a workplace of diversity and inclusion. Candidates who can contribute to this goal are encouraged to apply, including:  

● Knowledge and/or experience working with immigrant and rural communities;

● Candidates who are bilingual in English and any of the following languages (Somali, Arabic, French, Spanish, or Portuguese);  

● Experience working with individuals impacted by violence or trauma and a familiarity with trauma-informed practices; and  

● Candidates who are formerly incarcerated or who have otherwise been impacted by the criminal legal system.

Minimum Requirements:

● Reliable transportation;  

● Ability to meet the job’s physical demands, including light office work (lift/carry up to 15 lbs.), and long periods of sitting;

● United States Citizen or US Work Authorization required; and

● A background check will be required. We believe that having a criminal history should not discourage people from seeking and obtaining gainful employment, and those with criminal histories are encouraged to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary Range: $115,000 - $140,000 - depending upon qualifications and experience.

Benefits: A generous benefits package is available.  

HOW TO APPLY

The review of applications will begin on August 1st, 2026. The new Executive Director is expected to start in fall 2026. To apply, please email a resume, a letter of interest, a 1–3-page writing sample reflective of past employment experience, and the contact information of three references to edsearch@rjpmaine.org. Please send the email with the subject line: “Executive Director Application.”

Restorative Justice Project Maine is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, physical characteristics, social origin, disability, religion, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, veteran status, or any unlawful criterion under applicable law. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and without discrimination.