About For The People

For The People (FTP) works with prosecutors, system leaders, community members, and incarcerated people to reduce the number of people serving excessive sentences. We are activating the incredible power of prosecutors to join the fight to end mass incarceration. Through direct partnerships, we work with prosecutors to reduce and redress the harms caused by our criminal justice system.

We secured the passage, and are leading the implementation of Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing, the California law that allows prosecutors to reevaluate past sentences and facilitate prison release for those serving excessive sentences. We work with elected Prosecutors to reevaluate past sentences and, where it can be shown that a current sentence is no longer in the interest of justice, we support the prosecuting agencies through the resentencing and prison release process. We support prosecution offices in: launching Resentencing Units; providing training and technical assistance during onboarding and implementation; and forging partnerships with community leaders and reentry providers. We also support incarcerated people, their loved ones, and community-based organizations in preparing requests for resentencing and guidance on best practices on how to humanize stories for law enforcement audiences. We are now expanding our California model by training and supporting prosecuting agencies in other jurisdictions to implement resentencing policies and forging community partnerships to strengthen community trust. For more information, please visit www.fortheppl.org.

About the Position - Located in Oakland, CA

For The People is looking for a Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) to assist with developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining strategic initiatives. They will focus on accelerating organization performance through cohesive strategy planning and execution, knowledge management and the implementation of an organizational dashboard for impact and programmatic effectiveness.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the CSO is responsible for formalizing FTP’s strategic-planning processes and leading the development of the strategy, translating it for staff across functions. They will drive organizational change, forge new working relationships across the organization, and establish greater transparency and accountability for those staff carrying out FTP’s strategy. In addition, the CSO is responsible for assessing whether strategic initiatives, at all levels of the organization, align with FTP’s standards and objectives.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Survey the field to identify both opportunities for new initiatives and partnership as well as risks and where changes may be needed. Identify, and help reduce, strategic risks.
• With input from the Executive Director and Board, lead the development of FTP’s strategic and detailed operating plans. This includes formalizing and leading the strategic planning process, focusing on long-term trends. Synchronize strategies and break-down long-term objectives into short-term projects.
• Evaluate market forecast and long-term policy trends, drive cross-functional organizational processes, and develop business model innovation.
• Collaborate with board, leadership, special committees, and consultants to execute strategies.
• Facilitate the execution of the strategy by working collaboratively with the other members of leadership and ensure that the strategy is communicated and easily understood by all staff. Work with programs and leadership to cultivate and sustain strategic and operational alignment that help ensure we achieve our organizational priorities.
• Coordinate FTP programs and leadership to create and monitor portfolio and program budgets.
• Provide management, coaching, and strategic support to programs, leadership on new initiatives activities that cross various program areas.
• Help resolve organizational roadblocks to ensure the organization achieves its strategic goals.
• Serve as an advisor to ED on the strategy for board meetings and engagement as well as contribute to Board memos, reports, and presentations.
• Oversee the development and implementation of organizational knowledge to further FTP’s goals.
• Develop, implement and oversee metrics and performance objectives to ensure measurable progress throughout the year. Establish an organizational dashboard for impact and organizational effectiveness.

About You

• Executive-level program leader with the ability to work collaboratively across an organization in an innovative environment.
• Strategic and persuasive leader with experience building and managing impactful programs. You can set a vision, develop strategic frameworks and plans for FTP’s leaders and teams to achieve impact.
• Analytical thinker who is able to prioritize direction in an ever-changing landscape, evaluate execution, and make strategic adjustments to goals and objectives, as needed,.
• Relationship builder who can build trust, influence groups of people, make decisions, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Has deep knowledge of, and passion for, social and criminal justice.
• Has experience carrying out systems change work (both locally and nationally) that improves the way that government operates for marginalized communities.
• Superb written and oral communication skills, including solid presentation and facilitation abilities.
• Natural collaborator who values honesty and openness, seeks input, does not shy away from productive conflict, and facilitates effective decision-making.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment in a rapidly-growing organization with ambitious goals.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit strategic planning, strategy execution, leadership/supervision, managing people on across-functional team. Strongly prefer experience in organizations focused on criminal justice and/or legislative reform. Experience working with justice-impacted communities strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• Work experience should include success in a period of growth and/or transition. Experience in the nonprofit sector is required.
• Ability to apply strategic frameworks to analyze problems and lead the entire range of problem-solving work from problem definition to analysis, recommendation, and the development of implementation plans.
• Ability to translate and communicate complex topics to varied audiences. Strong executive presence, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence on a local, state, national and virtual stages, demonstrating an approachable style and inspiring confidence.
• Ability to bridge cultural and political ideologies to overcome barriers and improve outcomes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected. Use of automobile and possession of a valid California Driver’s license with adequate automobile insurance coverage is required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience; salary range $145K - $155K.
• 100%-paid employee-only benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance.
• Observance of federal, state and additional holidays, including institutional rest in December; paid time off.
• Retirement 403(b) plan.

How To Apply

The Chief Strategy Officer position will be open until filled. Interested applicants should submit the information below to our portal at: https://fortheppl.bamboohr.com/jobs/

Please note that applicants must be fully COVID vaccinated to be eligible for consideration.

Hybrid Work Schedule: FTP is currently working under a hybrid work plan.

Employees are expected to work from our Oakland, CA office a minimum of three days/week.

For the People is an equal opportunity employer and wants our staff to reflect the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including formerly incarcerated and/or system-involved individuals. We look at each applicant’s full experience and consider each applicant. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system and its impacts are strongly encouraged to apply.