Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Strategic Growth

at Partners for Justice

🏢 About Partners for Justice

Partners for Justice (PFJ) is a mission-driven nonprofit transforming public defense by addressing root causes of legal system involvement, not just case outcomes. Since 2018, PFJ has grown rapidly, offering a unique opportunity to scale a proven model that connects clients with restorative services and secures better outcomes.

About This Role

As Director of Strategic Growth, you will lead PFJ's expansion by identifying and securing government and philanthropic funding, building relationships with chief public defenders and funders, and overseeing contract negotiations. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of public defense and ensuring sustainable program delivery across the country.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve a morning call with a chief public defender to discuss a new grant opportunity, followed by drafting a federal proposal. Afternoon meetings could include negotiating a contract with a county agency and reviewing a philanthropic funder's request for proposals, ending with a team check-in on pipeline progress.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Partners for Justice Is Looking For

  • 7-10 years of experience in development, business development, or grants management, with a proven track record securing government funding (federal, state, or county).
  • Exceptional written communicator who can craft persuasive proposals and build trust with senior stakeholders like chief public defenders and government program officers.
  • Strategic thinker who can monitor the funding landscape for new opportunities and policy shifts, and translate them into actionable proposals.
  • Experience managing full-cycle contract negotiation and compliance with public agencies, ensuring sustainable program delivery.

📝 Tips for Applying to Partners for Justice

1

Highlight specific examples of securing government grants or contracts, including the dollar amounts and outcomes achieved.

2

Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with public defense, criminal justice reform, or related social impact sectors.

3

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your past success with PFJ's mission of transforming public defense through root cause solutions.

4

Demonstrate your ability to build relationships with government officials by naming any relevant networks or past partnerships.

5

Research PFJ's current funders and mention how you could expand or strengthen those relationships in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for criminal justice reform and specifically PFJ's model of investing in public defenders.", 'Concrete examples of securing government funding and managing contracts from start to finish.', 'Your strategic thinking in identifying funding opportunities and aligning them with organizational goals.', 'Your ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government and philanthropic partners.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review PFJ's website and annual reports to understand their current programs, funding sources, and impact metrics.
  • → Read about the public defense landscape in the U.S., including recent policy trends and funding challenges at state and county levels.
  • → Look into PFJ's key partners and funders (e.g., government agencies, foundations) to understand existing relationships and gaps.
  • → Explore news articles or legal publications about innovations in public defense to contextualize PFJ's work.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a time you secured a major government grant: what was your approach, and what was the outcome?
2 How do you stay informed about policy shifts in public defense funding, and how would you apply that knowledge at PFJ?
3 Describe a challenging contract negotiation with a public agency. How did you ensure a sustainable agreement?
4 How would you build trust with a chief public defender who is skeptical of outside partnerships?
5 What metrics would you use to measure the success of PFJ's growth strategy, and how would you report them to stakeholders?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on philanthropic fundraising without demonstrating government funding expertise; this role requires both.
  • Being too generic about criminal justice reform; show specific knowledge of public defense challenges.
  • Neglecting to mention contract management experience; PFJ needs someone who can handle the full lifecycle from proposal to compliance.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Partners for Justice!

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