Director of Programs at Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

NOTE: WE ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BY June 10th. WHILE THUS IS AN OPEN ROLLING APPLICATION PROCESS, CANDIDATES WHO SUBMIT BEFORE THIS DATE ARE LIKELY TO BE IN THE FIRST ROUND OF REVIEWS BY THE SEARCH COMMITTEE. 

About Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) is a powerful nonpartisan grassroots organization led by Returning Citizens—people who were formerly incarcerated—working alongside committed allies. Our mission is to dismantle the systematic disenfranchisement facing those with past convictions while creating a more effective reentry system that reduces recidivism, enhances successful reintegration, and strengthens public safety.

In 2018, FRRC spearheaded the historic passage of Amendment 4, a landmark victory that restored voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. When subsequent state legislation required payment of all legal financial obligations before voting rights could be restored, FRRC responded decisively. In 2020, we launched our groundbreaking Fines and Fees program, raising an unprecedented $30 million to help returning citizens clear their financial barriers to voting.

This extraordinary effort enabled 190,000 Floridians with past felony convictions to register for the November 2020 election. Our unwavering commitment to democracy and human dignity earned FRRC a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2023 for our work protecting and restoring the fundamental rights of returning citizens. Learn more about our history and impact.

Position Summary

As an essential senior leadership team member, the Director of Programs will develop FRRC’s statewide, nonpartisan programmatic and campaign strategy, setting clear goals, benchmarks, and regional priorities that further FRRC’s programmatic impact. 

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director of Program manages a six-person team of organizers, help desk representatives, and volunteers responsible for implementing FRRC’s strategy and working directly with returning citizens and allies across the state. The Director of Programs will bring strategic direction and cohesion to state and regional efforts, mobilize and rally constituents around key issue areas and campaigns,  advance the civic participation of returning citizens in Florida, and coordinate with a wide range of partnerships and bipartisan allies.

This role offers the opportunity to help set the organization’s strategic direction and impact and to build, coach, and mentor a dedicated team.  

Ideal candidates have deep roots in statewide organizing ecosystems, are passionate about leading and developing teams, and are dedicated to a nonpartisan approach to expanding access to democracy and building power among returning citizens in Florida. They possess a track record of setting program strategy, developing and executing large-scale programs and campaigns that have moved the needle on base-building and policy wins. They are passionate about returning citizens and those directly impacted by the criminal justice system. 

Key Responsibilities:

Program & Campaign Strategy & Implementation

• Develop the organization’s statewide programmatic and campaign strategy, setting clear goals and benchmarks toward outcomes and impact
• Rally FRRC’s team and supporters around the programmatic visions.
• Identify and support grassroots, state-based alliances that advance the inclusion and participation of returning citizens in the electorate to create a breakthrough in civic engagement.
• Ensure the successful and timely implementation of all programs, campaigns, and impact measurement. 
• Set priorities for expanding membership programs and lead the design of a recruitment strategy for cultivating potential members and member leaders.
• Understand and stay current on significant trends, developments, and insights affecting returning citizens and issues related to criminal justice, reentry, and civic engagement. 

Senior Leadership Team Responsibilities

• Serve as a key thought partner to the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams in planning FRRC’s long-term trajectory, growth, and organizational development strategies.
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure that the program department’s activities align with FRRC’s overall strategy and goals, provide support, and execute the organization's shared work.
• Represent FRRC externally alongside or in place of the Executive Director to advance the mission and strategic partnerships.
• Develop strategies to maximize collaboration across teams (e.g., Communications, Development, and Programs) and align campaign initiatives for more significant organizational impact.

Team Management & Development

• Develop materials, training, and other tools integrating cultural competence into FRRC’s work.

• Develop, build, mentor, and coach a high-performing team, defining clear metrics for success and identifying opportunities for professional growth and leadership. 
• Train organizers to implement grassroots advocacy initiatives for returning citizens.
• Design and implement dynamic curricula to provide training and capacity-building activities for FRRC member leaders, and develop strategies to advance the growth of FRRC membership and regional chapters.

Qualifications 

FRRC understands that no single candidate will have every skill and bring all the experiences listed below. FRRC is focused on a holistic view of potential candidates and actively seeks interest from candidates with a wide range of professional and lived experiences, especially returning citizens or those directly impacted by the criminal legal system.

• Experience as a directly impacted person or with a directly impacted family member is preferred, but not required. 
• Five or more years of leadership experience in grassroots organizing, nonpartisan civic engagement, and issue advocacy campaigns, with a preference for candidates with expertise in multi-entity orgs (c3/c4/PAC).
• Strong subject matter expertise in criminal justice reform, voting rights, and/or re-entry services, with demonstrated knowledge of policy frameworks affecting returning citizens in Florida; adjacent experience in civil rights advocacy, public policy, community development, social work, or legal services focused on underserved populations would be valuable and transferable to this role.
• Three or more years of team leadership experience, including a proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading winning advocacy campaigns and coalitions, as well as managing canvassing projects.
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to build relationships, develop high-performing teams, and set and achieve strategic objectives. 
• Persuasive verbal and written communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage various stakeholders.
• An action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, community-centered, innovative approach to organizing and community engagement.
• A track record that demonstrates a commitment to a bipartisan approach in advocacy tactics and strategies. 
• Ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally on occasion. This person will be required to use their automobile for business, carry auto insurance, and have a current driver’s license.

Compensation and Benefits 

This hybrid position is an outstanding opportunity for a motivated senior leader to join a well-respected and rapidly growing organization. FRRC offers an attractive compensation package, including a competitive base salary of $100,000-$120,000.  In addition, FRRC will provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, employer match on 401 (k) contributions, pre-tax transportation benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick time off. 

FRRC Statement

Florida Restoration Rights Coalition is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status. FRRC is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people and creating a work environment that is dynamic and rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. FRRC’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality or state in which you are working. FRRC values diverse experiences, including those related to educational background and involvement in the justice system. People with criminal justice records are encouraged to apply. We depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.