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Executive Director

Feb 25, 2025 | Job Opening

Justice Information Resource Network
Washington, DC

JIRN, the Justice Information Resource Network, is conducting a national search for their new Executive Director. The current Executive Director, Dr. Jeffrey Sedgwick, will retire in late 2025 and the Executive Committee has initiated recruitment activities to select JIRN’s next Executive Director.

About JIRN:

The Justice Information Resource Network (JIRN) is a national nonprofit organization of state Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) directors and other members serving as a resource center for researchers, analysts, journalists, and practitioners of justice research. Formerly the Justice Research and Statistics Association or JRSA, JIRN promotes the exchange of information among SACs and its members, conducts research on emerging national and state justice issues, provides training and technical assistance to researchers and professionals in the field, and acts as a liaison between state agencies and the Justice Department. It seeks to identify best practices at the state level, evaluate promising practices and programs, and share the information with the states. JIRN empowers SACs and its members throughout government, academia, and criminal justice organizations to achieve more by providing resources tailored to their needs including access to research, learning programs, and networking opportunities.

JIRN conducts justice policy-relevant research of importance to the states and the nation by providing analyses of crucial issues and their effects across the justice system. It produces nonpartisan, reputable, and actionable research exploring today’s crucial issues across the justice spectrum. JIRN’s work encompasses national, state, and local levels, focusing on areas such as crime trends, victimization, law enforcement practices, court processes, corrections, and policy evaluations (https://jirn.org/our-work). JIRN has received grants for its research from the National Institute of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office for Victims of Crime, Office on Violence Against Women and routinely partners with a diverse group of state level government organizations, including SACs, and national for-profit and non-profit research and justice organizations.

JIRN gathers and disseminates information to the justice community through its website and newsletters and convenes conferences and webinars to share information about new research, programs and technologies. JIRN currently maintains the Center for Victim Research (CVR) and the Incident-Based Research Resource Center websites. JIRN also manages the Justice Information Center (JIC) — a searchable database of the research and evaluation work conducted by its staff, members, and partners. The JIC compiles open-access and public-domain research-based materials and other research products from national, state, and local sources. Through its online community forums, JIRN offers a centralized place to exchange ideas and information with SACs and other members as well as the broader criminal justice community.

Through the Justice Research Academy (JRA), JIRN also provides training and technical assistance to the states on a wide range of topics including data reporting, crime analysis, automated systems planning and management, evaluation and research methodologies, performance measurement, evidence-based practices, data and information sharing, translating research into practice, and strategies for disseminating research to policymakers. Through its peer assistance program for members, JIRN offers a variety of peer assistance services including objective reviews of publications and grant applications, peer-to-peer support sessions, and SAC-specific training and technical assistance via the Mutual Assistance Program (MAP) funded by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

For more information about JIRN, its history, leadership, and vision, mission, and values, please visit the association website at https://jirn.org.

The Position

The position oversees more than 15 professional staff and an annual budget of $5 million. The position reports to JIRN’s seven-member Executive Committee.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional looking to make a difference. As a highly regarded organization in the criminal justice community, JIRN offers an excellent platform for professional fulfillment and growth. Moving the organization to the next level of effectiveness and impact, the successful candidate will work with a variety of agencies on a broad range of issues using effective communication skills, substantive knowledge, and research expertise. As the Executive Director, the successful candidate will be in a position to affect how data-driven research influences criminal justice policies and programs in all states and territories, as well as serve as an important liaison for state SAC directors to the Department of Justice, promoting the free flow of information between state and federal levels.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Advances the role of JIRN as a critical resource to the field of criminal justice in the use of research and statistics for the development and promotion of evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice policy and practice.
  • Maintains, establishes, and advances inter-organizational relationships with SAC directors, Department of Justice officials and other governmental agencies, as well as criminal justice community and nonprofit organizations.
  • Reviews the JIRN funding model, proposing to the Executive Committee actions to strengthen it and expand revenue streams, taking all necessary measures to ensure JIRN’s fiscal solvency.
  • Oversees and approves all budget expenditures and ensures that all grant and contract requirements are met, developing an annual budget and monitoring key budget metrics.
  • Identifies and secures new sources of revenue consistent with the mission of the organization, including pursuit of project funding from governmental and nongovernmental sources.
  • Takes all practical steps to expand JIRN’s membership base, making certain that the criminal justice community is aware of the benefits of JIRN membership as well as the advantages to participation in its activities and programs.
  • Manages JIRN staff and the day-to-day operations of the organization and fosters collaboration across the network of SACs and other members.
  • Promotes a positive work environment for JIRN employees, both in-person or virtually, seeing to their continuing professional development, engagement, and commitment in an open and encouraging manner, ensuring staff are aware of the views and interests of the Executive Committee and others in JIRN’s membership and the research-driven nature of the organization.
  • Promotes the active participation by the membership in the development, execution, and availability of JIRN programs and services to ensure there is a common and shared vision for the organization.
  • Keeps the Executive Committee fully informed on the conditions and operations of JIRN and issues that may affect its well-being and that of its membership.
  • Leads JIRN through organizational changes and adaptations, aligning with national and state funding priorities and emerging trends.
  • Evaluates and optimizes JIRN’s organizational design and workflows, ensuring efficiency, clarity, and staff alignment with organizational goals.

Required Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in social or behavioral sciences (a terminal degree is preferred).
  • Significant executive-level management experience, with a preference for leadership of nonprofit organizations.
  • In-depth knowledge of Federal and state appropriation and procurement processes, including grant acquisition and management.
  • Experience in managing nonprofit finances, including budget development, balance sheets, financial stewardship, and federal financial guidance.
  • Solid understanding of national and state justice policy issues and the use of research in policy development.
  • Proven ability to secure and maintain funding sources, develop and implement effective marketing strategies to promote the association, and attract new members.
  • Strong experience in team leadership, mentoring, and fostering professional growth and development of staff.
  • Evidence of an extensive network within the research, policy, and criminal justice communities and a proven track record in building effective strategic relationships and leveraging partnerships for organizational growth.
  • Innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, including a strong record of success in obtaining and maintaining new sources of funding.
  • A record of scholarly achievement including a social science research orientation and demonstrated experience in research and project management.
  • Expertise in project and timeline management, ensuring initiatives are completed on schedule and within budget.
  • Strong ability to interpret, present, and translate complex research findings into accessible information for diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and community members.
  • Extensive experience collaborating with stakeholders such as state courts, legislatures, law enforcement and corrections agencies, professional associations, victim advocates, and service providers.
  • Comprehensive understanding of nonprofit governance and the role of boards in organizational oversight.
  • Demonstrated experience in member-focused leadership, with a track record of addressing and responding to the evolving and diverse needs of association members.
  • Demonstrated experience in strategic plan development and the ability to articulate and execute a clear vision that aligns with JIRN’s mission and goals.
  • Exceptional skills in oral and written communication and representation, with the ability to represent JIRN effectively and inspire confidence among stakeholders.
  • Energetic and enthusiastic networker with the ability to engage and build partnerships with Federal, state, and local entities and engaging others in common causes.
  • Commitment to the highest ethical standards in research and statistics and a dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational practices.
  • Demonstrated experience managing human resource issues in both traditional and remote/hybrid work environments.
  • Familiarity with social media platforms.

Salary

$160,000-$185,000 annually, plus a strong benefits package.

Location

JIRN’s office is located in Washington, DC. This position offers flexibility in the work environment, allowing for a hybrid work schedule, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. Regular travel to project sites, meetings, conferences, and other events is required.

Hiring Process

The Search Committee will conduct an initial review of applications. The strongest candidates, as determined by review and consensus of the Search Committee, will be invited to one or more virtual interviews, with dates and times to be determined. Final candidates may be invited to attend in-person interviews at the JIRN office in Washington, DC. The Search Committee may ask candidates to provide additional details regarding their qualifications and vision for JIRN prior to and/or after the interviews.

The Executive Committee will make the final selection based on the recommendation of the Search Committee. The Executive Director will serve at the will of the Executive Committee.

The anticipated start date is between August 15, 2025, and October 1, 2025.

To Apply

JIRN will begin accepting applications immediately and will continue through April 16, 2025. Please email a cover letter and resume to Michelle Beck, Search Committee Member and Executive Committee Secretary/Treasurer, at execsearch@jirn.org. Only electronic applications will be considered.  Questions should be submitted via email to George Shaler, JIRN Executive Committee President at gshaler@maine.edu. No phone calls, please.

JIRN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.