Project Director, Eviction Diversion Initiative (New York City)

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:

1. Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
2. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
3. Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

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 at www.innovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Center for Justice Innovation seeks a Project Director to oversee operations of the Eviction Diversion Initiative (“EDI”) in New York City which operates in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan housing courts. Launched in 2022 in Brooklyn Housing Court, EDI is a partnership between the Center for Justice Innovation and the New York State Unified Court System. EDI’s mission is to ensure tenants and their families can access the holistic resources needed to maintain safe, stable, and affordable housing, while advancing data-driven, harm-reduction approaches to housing court practice through close collaboration with courts, government agencies, and community stakeholders. 

Reporting to the Director of Housing Justice Initiatives, the Project Director will lead all aspects of EDI's expansion in New York City, including day-to-day operations, strategy, and growth. This role includes overseeing daily program operations in housing court; supervising, training, and supporting diverse teams; managing partnerships, contracts, and budgets; and representing the Center in citywide and regional forums. The Project Director will also advance long-term strategic planning, fundraising, and influence policy.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of all EDI programming and services across New York City;
• Oversee daily operations, including staffing, supervision, training, administrative systems, and service delivery;
• Manage budgets, contracts, fiscal reporting, and program data to ensure compliance with funder requirements and achievement of performance deliverables;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with courts, judges, clerks, court administrators, tenant and landlord attorneys, city and county agencies, public officials, and community-based organizations;
• Develop and manage partnerships that connect participants to legal services, rental arrears support, public benefits, mental health services, employment resources, and financial empowerment services;
• Work with stakeholders to troubleshoot operational challenges and develop new systems in response to evolving laws, policies, or court initiatives; 
• Champion co-design principles by meaningfully involving individuals with lived experience in program design, operations, and policy influence;
• Ensure staff provide high-quality, rights-based education, clinical support, and services to participants;
• Lead fundraising and grant management efforts, including identifying funding opportunities and preparing proposals, progress reports, and related materials;
• Collaborate closely with Center-wide departments (Fiscal, Development, People Department, Legal, IT, Communications, and Administration) to support EDI and broader organizational goals;
• Facilitate regular staff meetings, case conferences, trainings, and team-building activities that promote collaboration, innovation, and an inclusive workplace culture;
• Represent the Center at meetings, panels, trainings, and public forums; oversee development of outreach, marketing, and social media materials; and 
• Additional tasks as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (JD strongly preferred) with 4-5 years of relevant experience, ideally practicing landlord/tenant law in New York City, or a Bachelor’s degree with 6-7 years of progressively responsible relevant experience;