Program Director, Training and Technical Assistance

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

Primary Location:

CUNY INSTITUTE FOR STATE & LOCAL GOVERNANCE

Bargaining Unit:

No

CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG): About Us

The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance has a mission to improve the financing, delivery, and measurement of critical public services through research, technical assistance, and education. We lead projects aimed at reforming the criminal justice system, measuring urban inequality, expanding the reach of social service providers, and more. Our staff have the opportunity to work with colleagues and supervisors across projects and with different types of expertise. We are seeking new team members with enthusiasm to shape the future of state and local policy. 

Our Goals for Diversity and Inclusion

We strive to foster an office environment and an approach to work that welcomes and respects different perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We are working towards our goal of continuing to recruit and retain staff and board members who are diverse in terms of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic status, disability, and justice system involvement.

Who we are Looking for

ISLG is seeking a Program Director of Training and Technical Assistance to provide senior-level program design and implementation leadership, project management, and strategic support across multiple high-priority initiatives aligned with the new NYC Mayoral administration. This role requires a seasoned policy and implementation professional who can cultivate strong relationships with government and community partners; design and implement strategies aligned with NYC government priorities; and manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

The Program Director will play a key role in advancing ISLG’s training and technical assistance (TTA) vision and strategy across portfolios, particularly with respect to TTA focused on clinical care, peer support, and social services. This includes contributing to the design and refinement of ISLG’s TTA approach, developing curricula and tools, leading interactive trainings, facilitating convenings and cross-sector dialogues, and supporting partners in strengthening program implementation, data use, and continuous improvement.

The Program Director may contribute across multiple portfolios; however, their primary responsibility is to lead the development of a cross-portfolio training and technical assistance (TTA) strategy and strengthen ISLG’s position as a leader in the capacity-building field. Accordingly, their work will span a range of projects and initiatives.

These portfolios collectively focus on advancing community-centered public safety by targeting high-need areas and populations through coordinated, data-informed, and trauma-informed strategies. This work includes designing and delivering training and technical assistance to strengthen program quality, implementation fidelity, and cross-sector coordination, while also supporting stakeholder engagement, system alignment, and community-led approaches that expand alternatives to traditional justice responses and improve service delivery.

For more information about ISLG’s work and initiatives, please visit our website at https://islg.cuny.edu/.

The Program Director will report to an Associate Policy Director on a range of tasks, which may include but are not limited to:

• Lead the development and implementation of a department-wide vision and strategy for Training and Technical Assistance (TTA), including frameworks, tools, and approaches that can be applied across ISLG portfolios.
• Design and deliver high-quality TTA, including curriculum development, interactive trainings, coaching, and capacity-building supports for government and community partners.
• Facilitate meetings, convenings, and cross-sector working sessions, including advisory groups, task forces, and learning communities, ensuring inclusive participation and actionable outcomes.
• Develop strategies in partnership with City agencies to respond to NYC policy priorities and support effective program implementation.
• Manage project work plans, timelines, and processes to ensure timely completion and high-quality deliverables.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across diverse stakeholders, including city agencies and community partners, and coordinate ongoing communication, meetings, and site visits.
• Lead or support the development of program materials, including briefing memos, reports, presentations, and other written deliverables for government partners, funders, and external stakeholders.
• Represent ISLG in working groups, advisory bodies, task forces, and public- or community-facing engagements.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff, contributing to staff development and a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
• Conduct policy research and analysis; synthesize complex information for diverse audiences; and develop actionable recommendations.
• Identify and conceptualize new opportunities, including developing proposals and supporting fundraising efforts in partnership with ISLG leadership.
• Participate in cross-organizational collaboration to generate new ideas, strengthen ISLG’s body of work, and contribute to proposal development and other strategic initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Our office is located in New York City and ISLG offers a hybrid work structure.

 

Qualifications

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Advanced degree in public administration, public policy, social work (LCSW preferred), education, criminology, health policy, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience in community or peer leadership.
• Ten or more years of experience in government, nonprofit, academic, foundation, or policy environments leading and managing complex initiatives, including program design and implementation.
• At least five years of experience working within or in close partnership with government systems strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering training and technical assistance (TTA), including curriculum development, facilitation of trainings or convenings, and capacity-building support for diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to contribute to or lead the development of strategic frameworks or approaches, ideally including department or organization-wide TTA vision and implementation.
• Strong facilitation skills, with experience leading meetings, cross-sector working groups, advisory bodies, or learning communities and driving toward clear outcomes.
• Demonstrated excellence in project management, including managing multiple complex projects simultaneously and using tools to track progress, timelines, and accountability.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex information from diverse sources into clear, actionable strategies, recommendations, and implementation plans.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including experience producing reports, briefing memos, training materials, manuals, or implementation guides grounded in field-based work.
• Strong verbal communication skills and ability to engage effectively with government agencies, nonprofit leaders, and community members.
• Experience collaborating with research, evaluation, and communications teams to strengthen program learning, impact, and storytelling.
• Strong judgment, emotional intelligence, and ability to build and sustain effective, trust-based relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity-centered, community-informed, and participatory approaches to public policy, training, and program implementation.
• Experience in restorative justice, participatory approaches, violence prevention, gender-based violence, or community safety and criminal justice initiatives are strongly preferred.
• Fluency in a language other than English is a plus.
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends for project-specific meetings and convenings.

This is a full-time position in New York City with excellent benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance
• Paid vacation and personal days
• Paid sick leave
• CUNY tuition reimbursement program
• Pre-tax benefits for transit and healthcare costs
• Family/parental leave
• Life insurance
• A retirement plan with employer contribution.

Our staff also benefit from:

• A positive work/life balance.
• Opportunities for advancement within the organization.
• Engagement with the broader CUNY network.
• Working with organizational leadership who have years of significant public sector and policymaking expertise.

How to Apply

To apply please visit https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings. For this role, please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and interests and attach your resume or curriculum vitae. Questions about the position can be addressed to info@islg.cuny.edu.  Applications received prior to May 22, 2026 will be considered for an interview.

Pay Range:

$120,000 - $150,000

RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.