​ESSEX COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER

Executive Director Opening
APPLY BY: February 16, 2026
Job Type: Part-Time/Exempt
Reports to: Board of Directors
Location: Newark, New Jersey and Hybrid
Compensation: $60,000 for 3 days per week

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Essex County Family Justice Center (“the Center”) is seeking a passionate, committed, and experienced leader.

 

The Center is well-positioned to usher in an exciting new chapter after 15-years in which it established New Jersey’s first family justice center, built a powerful network of over 40 partner organizations, succeeded in retaining a long-tenured staff of 9, and secured in-kind program and administrative office space from Essex County. Led by a united and mission-driven Board of Directors, the Center is now transitioning from the tenure of an interim Executive Director who implemented strong organizational infrastructure, including new computer and information technology software hardware and software, updated Human Resource policies and program manuals, renewed written commitments with all program partners, established new and renewed contacts with elected officials and private foundations and led a highly successful 15th Anniversary event. This is a wonderful platform for an exceptional team leader, relationship-builder and community advocate with a commitment to survivor-center innovation to broaden the Center’s visibility and continue to diversify funding to help end the cycle of violence.

THE ESSEX COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
The Center enhances the safety and autonomy of domestic violence victims by providing trauma-informed, coordinated, comprehensive services from one location. The Center was established in direct response to the high rates of domestic violence homicides consistently being documented in the New Jersey State Police Crime Report for Essex County and Newark from 2004 to present. Domestic violence assault causes complex trauma leaving untreated survivors with dissociation, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, reduced self-esteem and independence. Research confirms marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted by violent trauma and Newark domestic violence survivors face almost insurmountable barriers to accessing trauma-specific services. The Center reduces these barriers by co-locating multidisciplinary professionals at its facility, providing a one-stop intake function, and offering current, but limited provision of therapeutic-services.
The Center serves as a backbone organization, created to lead, coordinate, and support the collective efforts of our direct-service partner agencies, including law enforcement, city and county agencies and 25+ community-based organizations. All our programs and services are survivor-driven, prevention-oriented and culturally competent. The Center is currently operating on an $800,000 budget.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION
The Center seeks a mission-driven Executive Director with exceptional leadership, commitment
to social justice and a passion for supporting survivors. The ideal candidate must be comfortable building and maintaining meaningful relationships and partnerships; be a skilled communicator and a strong advocate for the values driving the Center which include compassion and relationship-based care; victim-centered safety and support; and diversity equity and cultural competence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Vision
● Lead the long-term vision and strategic direction of the Center, in partnership with the Board of
Directors.
● Work with the Program Director to build and maintain strong partnerships with law enforcement, legal systems, community-based organizations, and healthcare providers.
● Lead and inspire staff to identify unmet needs, emerging trends, and opportunities for programmatic growth and systems change.
● Serve as the primary contact person and spokesperson for media and the community.

Organizational Management
● Build the Board of Directors to execute organizational goals and support recruitment of new members.
● Oversee all aspects of operations, programs, and fiscal stewardship, ensuring strong infrastructure to meet goals.
● Ensure organizational sustainability and excellence in service delivery.

Fund Development & Financial Strategy
● Build strong relationships with funders and donors and lead the development of grant proposals, government grant submissions and individual donor solicitations.
● Work closely with the Board and staff to meet revenue goals and diversify funding sources.
● Ensure the Center’s fiscal soundness; develop, implement and monitor the annual budget and manage internal finance staff and relationships with external accounting and administrative partners.

Strategic Communication & Advocacy
● Develop and implement a strategic communications plan that strengthens the visibility, voice, and reputation of the Center.
● Promote public awareness and education on interpersonal violence and the Family Justice Center model.
● Serve as the liaison with state elected officials to secure the continuation of an existing budget line item allocation for the Center.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
● Proven leadership experience, preferably as an Executive Director
● Experience in individual and foundation donor cultivation and corporate sponsorships required
● Ability to develop strong relationships with all levels of elected government officials
● Familiarity with collaborative program models and experience leading collaborative teams
● Strong program and operational oversight skills
● Knowledge of Newark and Essex County preferred
● Experience applying for and managing state and federal contracts preferred

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The annual compensation for the Executive Director is $60,000 for 3 days per week or 60% of full time.

Benefits package offered.
The Executive Director will predominately work out of the Newark, NJ office and also work remotely.

APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, email a cover letter and resume that detail your experience, leadership philosophy, and what draws you to this role along with a list of three professional references (references will not be contacted without your advance notice) to Louisa Hackett by emailing jobs@essexcountyfjc.org .

Use the subject line: ED Application. Please submit PDF or Microsoft
Word files only in one combined file. Resume review begins immediately with a close date of February 15, 2026.
https://www.essexcountyfjc.org/careers