Director, ACES

About the Role

CASES is seeking a Director committed to advancing the Assertive Community Engagement & Success (ACES) mission across Brooklyn and Queens. The Education, Career and Enrichment (ECE) department specializes in serving youth and young adults impacted by the criminal legal system and those affected by violence. The ACES program serves young men ages 16-24, initially focusing on youth in East Harlem or the South Bronx who face challenging environments and system involvement. The program is expanding to Brownsville and requires skilled team members who believe young people—regardless of roadblocks such as violence, trauma, racism, gangs, incarceration, truancy, and unemployment—can engage in positive relationships to change behaviors and acquire life, education, and employment skills.

The ECE department seeks a Director to support the expansion of the ACES program into Brooklyn and Queens. This role ensures the program model is implemented with fidelity, supervisors receive adequate support, and participants receive the care they deserve. The position requires a hands-on approach and frequent community visits to support staff and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the leading champion and ambassador for advancing the program’s mission and values with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop ACES supervisors to successfully manage teams and reach full management and leadership capacity.
• Lead staff using a performance management and professional development process that encourages employee contributions, including goal setting, feedback, and professional development.
• Ensure the program aligns with youth development practices, trauma-informed care, and the ReWire CBT model.
• Support teams in problem-solving for complex cases.
• Identify, build, and maintain strong collaborative relationships with program partners, including leadership within local communities, clergy, NYPD, probation, and court stakeholders.
• Plan and implement continuous quality improvement processes using effective performance management, metrics, and program data to inform planning.
• Prepare reports and work closely with the Data Analyst to assess program impact and support evaluation of performance quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Ensure contractual obligations and intentions are met.
• Manage the program budget to ensure resources are used effectively.

Qualifications

• 7 years of experience working with youth and/or young adults impacted by the criminal legal system.
• 3+ years of experience in supervisory and program/contract management.
• Understanding of the community, its needs, and cultural dynamics.
• Deep passion for working with youth and families impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Experience implementing programs/services.
• Ability to create tools and systems that support team and program success.
• Demonstrated knowledge of youth development, trauma-informed practices, and behavioral interventions.
• Willingness to reimagine the work differently.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to discuss outcomes with a variety of stakeholders and deliver strong presentations.
• A commitment to supporting the team through difficult moments and celebrating successes.