Application Guide
How to Apply for WEST REGION PROGRAM MANAGER / SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER
at Partners for Justice
🏢 About Partners for Justice
Partners for Justice (PFJ) is a national nonprofit founded in 2018 to transform public defense by embedding trained Client Advocates in public defender offices, addressing the underlying drivers of legal system involvement and reducing the impact of race and wealth on legal outcomes. Working at PFJ means joining a rapidly growing, mission-driven team that directly supports public defenders and their clients, creating systemic change in the criminal legal system.
About This Role
As the West Region Program Manager/Senior Program Manager, you will manage a portfolio of public defender partnerships, starting with Los Angeles County, and play a key role in recruiting, training, and supporting Client Advocates and their on-site supervisors. You will build local partner networks and provide coaching to Advocates, ensuring they can effectively help clients navigate enmeshed civil penalties and secure better legal outcomes. This role is impactful because you will directly enable public defender offices to adopt holistic, collaborative defense practices that protect clients' rights and futures.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve checking in with Client Advocates and supervisors at partner offices in Los Angeles County, troubleshooting challenges they face, and coordinating with local organizations to build referral networks. You might also spend time preparing training materials for new Advocates, meeting with public defender leadership to strengthen partnerships, and analyzing program data to identify areas for improvement. The role is remote, so much of your day will be spent on video calls and email, but occasional travel to partner sites may be required.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Partners for Justice Is Looking For
- Experience in program management, preferably in legal, criminal justice, or social services settings, with a track record of managing multiple stakeholders and sites.
- Deep understanding of public defense, holistic defense, or criminal legal reform, including familiarity with the enmeshed civil penalties of arrest.
- Strong coaching and training skills, with the ability to support and develop Client Advocates and their supervisors.
- Excellent relationship-building abilities, capable of cultivating partnerships with public defender offices, local organizations, and community groups.
- Commitment to racial and economic justice, and experience working with diverse, underserved populations.
📝 Tips for Applying to Partners for Justice
Highlight any direct experience with public defense, holistic defense, or criminal legal reform—PFJ values candidates who understand the unique challenges of public defender offices.
Emphasize your ability to manage partnerships and build networks; PFJ is expanding rapidly, so show how you've successfully cultivated relationships across multiple sites or organizations.
Demonstrate coaching or training experience, as you'll be supporting Client Advocates and supervisors; provide concrete examples of how you've developed others.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to show familiarity with Los Angeles County's legal landscape or similar urban jurisdictions, as this is the initial focus.
Show your commitment to PFJ's mission by connecting your personal or professional experiences to their goal of diminishing the effect of race and wealth on legal outcomes.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience with public defense or holistic defense models, and why you're passionate about transforming public defense.", 'Proven ability to manage multiple partnerships and stakeholders, ideally in a remote or regional capacity.', "Concrete examples of how you've recruited, trained, or coached advocates or similar staff, and the impact of your efforts.", "Your understanding of the enmeshed civil penalties of arrest and how you've helped clients or teams address them."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Learn about PFJ's flagship program and how embedded Client Advocates work within public defender offices; review their website, annual reports, and any published materials.
- → Research the public defender landscape in Los Angeles County, including key offices, challenges, and existing holistic defense initiatives.
- → Understand the concept of enmeshed civil penalties and how they affect clients; look for PFJ publications or webinars on this topic.
- → Explore PFJ's growth since 2018 and their expansion plans, to understand the context of this role and how you can contribute.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic language about 'helping people' without tying it to PFJ's specific mission of transforming public defense and addressing racial and economic disparities.
- Don't overlook the remote nature of the role—failing to demonstrate ability to manage relationships and teams remotely could be a red flag.
- Avoid focusing solely on legal experience without showing program management, coaching, or partnership-building skills, as these are core to the role.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Partners for Justice!