Position SummaryThe UCLA Prison Education Program (PEP) and Center for Justice (CFJ) is a national leader in higher education in prisons driven by community-based leadership and research. The CFJ is committed to dismantling the conditions that sustain mass incarceration and creating new structures rooted in care, education, and justice. We seek an Executive Director (ED) who brings institutional expertise, lived experience, and a deep understanding of carcerality and transformation. The ideal ED brings more than credentials—they bring lived insight, political clarity, and a global-local outlook and reach that connects the carceral classroom to freedom movements worldwide. Whether cultivating educational pathways in California prisons, or speaking on global panels and developing methods for dismantling punishment systems, the ED must navigate between hyperlocal realities and transnational solidarities. The Executive Director will join committed faculty, staff, students and community partner organizations working together to imagine and build a different world—one where all people, regardless of their criminal legal system history, have the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive. The Executive Director (ED) will lead the Center for Justice (CFJ), which houses the UCLA Prison Education Program, an interdepartmental UCLA center based in Los Angeles serving incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and justice system-impacted students and community partners. This position will report to the CFJ Faculty Director and Advisory Board. The ED will fulfill and oversee management and operational duties of affiliated initiatives, such as the Bachelor’s Degree in Prison (BDP), Returning Scholars Program (RSP), Digital Literacy Program (DLP), and Community Engagement & Development (CE&D) project.
Salary & Compensation*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit
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Qualifications 5 years 5 years Minimum of five years of work experience in program management (Required)
Experience in working with Incarcerated youth and/or women (Preferred)
Extensive professional experience with the criminal legal system, particularly its impact on women, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and trans communities. (Required)
Problem-solving skills including the ability to analyze information, situations, policies, and procedures to evaluate and address challenging issues, and proactively research appropriate channels for solutions. (Required)
Advanced skills to conduct needs assessment and development of new presentations to meet organizational needs. (Required)
Experience in Finance and Fundraising, Policy Development and Advocacy Support, Community Organizing and Coalition Building, leadership in prison education/advocacy.
(Required)
Advanced knowledge of organizational and governmental policies, procedures and regulations; demonstrated effectiveness with county, state and/or federal facilities.
(Required)
Excellent analytical and critical thinking, project management, and problem recognition, and resolution skills; and a track record of these skills with students, staff and faculty.
(Required)
Highly skilled communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with and influence others, both verbally and in writing, and trauma and healing-informed expertise.
(Required)
Spoken communication skills required to interact clearly, distinctly and with appropriate cultural sensitivity with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds, and to provide program information to individuals, the press and facilities. (Required)
Advanced organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously to meet objectives with both prescribed and ever shifting timelines, budgets and other resources. (Required)
Willingness to work outside of normal business hours including some evenings, weekends and travel long distances to facilitate and advocate courses and programs in prisons. (Required)
Skill in interpreting and comprehending new regulations enacted by the University System-wide Administration. Knowledge of financial management principles. Knowledge of financial management principles and community-based approaches to problem solving. (Preferred)
Working knowledge of University policies and procedures that affect the Center and departmental administration. Knowledge of financial management principles and culturally responsive pedagogy. (Preferred)
Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal AffiliationsBachelor's Degree In related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Required)
Master's Degree M.A. degree in social sciences or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (Preferred) And
PhD PhD. in social sciences or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (Preferred)
Special Conditions for EmploymentBackground Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.10% Work outside of normal business hours including evenings, weekends and some travel
40% UCLA Trust Building and Carceral Facilities few days a week.
ScheduleVariable
Union/Policy Covered99-Policy Covered
Complete Position Descriptionhttps://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&jobcode=TBD_4291
