Job Overview

The Managing Director (a one-year renewable term position) serves as the senior administrative, operational, and strategic leader of the Prisons and Justice Initiative (PJI), a complex and multi-faceted academic and programmatic unit delivering higher education, workforce training, and reentry support services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. In partnership with the Director, the Managing Director leads the development and execution of organizational strategy and oversees all aspects of internal operations, including finance, human resources, compliance, partnerships, and program implementation.

PJI currently operates multiple programs—including a bachelor’s degree program and credit-bearing courses within two carceral facilities, certificate programs for recently incarcerated individuals, and reentry and alumni support services—across correctional facilities and campus-based environments, with most student services delivered internally. The Managing Director ensures that the infrastructure, systems, and resources are in place to support these programs and plays a central role in the Initiative’s transition to the Center on Prisons and Justice. This role exercises substantial independent judgment and serves as a key decision-maker across operational, financial, and personnel matters.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead organizational strategy implementation and oversee day-to-day operations across all programs and functional areas
• Direct financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, grant administration, and compliance across multiple funding streams
• Oversee human resources functions, including organizational design, hiring, supervision, and performance management
• Establish and maintain systems, policies, and processes to support program delivery, compliance, and growth
• Develop and manage partnerships with university departments, correctional agencies, funders, government agencies, and community organizations
• Ensure compliance with university, legal, and regulatory requirements, including correctional facility protocols
• Lead cross-program coordination and organizational planning
• Support the transition from Initiative to Center

Work Interactions

The Managing Director reports directly to the Director of the Prisons and Justice Initiative and serves as a primary leader responsible for internal management and operational execution. The position supervises multiple professional and administrative staff and provides oversight across all program areas and administrative functions.

This role works closely with senior leadership within PJI, including the leads of various programs and components, to ensure alignment across academic programming, student services, and administrative functions. The Managing Director regularly liaises with Georgetown University offices including Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, General Counsel, Advancement, and Information Technology, as well as with faculty, university leadership, and external stakeholders.

Externally, the Managing Director maintains relationships with correctional partners (including the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and facility leadership at institutions such as Patuxent), government agencies, foundations, and community-based organizations. The position represents PJI in institutional and external settings and advances Georgetown University’s mission through the expansion of educational access and justice-focused programming.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Post-Secondary degree (Masters, PhD, etc.)
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, operations, or program management
• Demonstrated experience managing complex organizations, programs, or departments with multiple stakeholders
• Significant supervisory and personnel management experience, including hiring and performance management
• Experience managing budgets, financial systems, and multiple funding streams (e.g., grants, gifts, institutional funds)
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
• Commitment to or experience working in criminal justice, higher education, or related fields

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education administration, nonprofit leadership, or multi-site program management
• Familiarity with correctional systems, policies, and institutional operations
• Experience with grant prospecting, writing, administration, and reporting
• Experience managing contracts, MOUs, and institutional partnerships
• Strong knowledge of compliance frameworks, including financial and regulatory requirements
• Experience leading organizational growth, transition, or restructuring
• Proficiency with financial and project management tools (e.g., Excel, Google Suite, Airtable, Workday)

Work Mode Designation

This position has been designated as On-Campus. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University.  Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.

Cover letter and resume required for consideration.

Pay Range:

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is:

$80,429.00 - $157,238.93

Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.