Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

Arnold Ventures’ Criminal Justice (CJ) team aims to make communities safer and make the criminal justice system fairer and more effective, based on high-quality research evidence. The CJ team works with experts from inside and outside government and across disciplines to reform the U.S. criminal justice system through research, evidence, testing innovative pilot programs, and policy change. We are seeking a Manager of CJ Research to manage rigorous research investments that advance CJ reform. This position will be based in any of Arnold Ventures’ three offices: Houston, New York City, or Washington D.C., and will report to a Director of CJ Research.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage a pipeline of incoming research proposals considered for funding.
• Work with academic consultants and external reviewers to evaluate research proposals.
• Lead the organization and hosting of convenings of researchers, policymakers, and/​or practitioners with the goal of building networks and creating new opportunities for research
• Travel to conferences to represent Arnold Ventures, network with academic and research experts, create and maintain partnerships, and learn about new research related to crime and criminal justice policy
• Manage approved research investments, track progress and impact, and draw lessons from these investments to inform strategic priorities and the development of future investments.
• Strategic operational support to maximize team efficiency
• Prepare presentations on the Criminal Justice Research team’s work, as needed
• Collaborate with other teams, such as Criminal Justice Policy, Advocacy and Communications, as needed to meet Research team objectives; travel to other Arnold Ventures offices as needed.
• Other duties to support the team’s work, as needed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 3 years of relevant work experience, preferably experience conducting and/​or managing rigorous policy-relevant criminal justice research and evaluation projects
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to summarize research designs and research findings and communicate key takeaways to diverse, nontechnical audiences
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in methods, statistics, and research designs and the use of rigorous research to support criminal justice reform
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills

The salary range for this position will be $95,000-$130,000.

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of Arnold Ventures’ work culture.

• We have a proven commitment to and passion for racial and social justice.
• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity.
• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback.
• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects.
• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals

Arnold Ventures’ values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Arnold Ventures team to make a difference.

• Respect for Ourselves & Others
• Audacious Action
• Collaborative Engagement
• Depth of Thought
• Clear Communication

Arnold Ventures is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/​veteran status, or any basis prohibited by applicable law.

Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, Arnold Ventures is committed to employing individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences. Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply.