Month: August 2024

Research and Data Manager: Pennsylvania Prison Society

THE OPPORTUNITY 

We are hiring a Research and Data Manager to build-out, manage and organize the Prison Society’s work producing and disseminating timely, reliable, accurate information on conditions in Pennsylvania’s prisons and jails. The Manager will also lead efforts to measure and evaluate Prison Society programs and impact.

On any given day, 61,000 Pennsylvanians are incarcerated in state and county prisons. Incarceration in Pennsylvania increased 300 percent since 1980. Lack of access to health care, degradation, and isolation are some of the issues people in prison face. For 236 years, the Pennsylvania Prison Society has led the nation in calling for a more just and humane criminal justice system.

Every month, more than 500 incarcerated people and their families ask the Prison Society for help with issues they face inside prison. Written into Pennsylvania law, Prison Society staff and volunteers respond to these complaints by going into correctional facilities, meeting with incarcerated people, assisting with the issues they are facing, and providing real-time information on prison conditions.

‍‍This is where you come in!

Manage and improve the collection, collation, analysis, and presentation of novel data and information about prisons, prison conditions, life in prisons, and Prison Society operations.  In collaboration with programmatic staff, develop new  and improve upon existing data & information collection tools and processes, including surveys, focus groups, and prison walkthrough protocols. Oversee staff training and guidance for using new data collection tools and protocols (including data security protocols). In year one this will involve onboarding new data collection systems and technologies. In year one you will have assistance from two Associates who will not report to you but will assist you in data collection and collation. In year two there is the potential to hire a dedicated research & data analyst to support this work.

Manage and enhance the Prison Society’s performance measurement, evaluation and learning process by working closely with programmatic staff to determine metrics and evaluation strategies, and then to oversee the design and implementation of those strategies.

‍Tell the important story of what is happening in prison, by synthesizing findings and producing regularly updated dashboards, fact-sheets, issues briefs, and graphics that use Prison Society and external data to convey key information about Pennsylvania prisons, in coordination with communications staff. Audiences include: state and county officials, journalists, the public at large, Prison Society volunteers, people in prison, families of people in prison.

‍Help vision and implement the build-out of data and research at the Prison Society in collaboration with the Executive Director, senior staff, and board.

Develop, manage, and contribute to the creation of 1-3 issue specific reports a year. In collaboration with program staff, you will help determine what issues we should be delving into. You will find  and manage relationships with external research consultants brought on as needed for specific reports, and you contribute to their creation by weaving in existing prison society data & information, collecting data & information, and conducting literature reviews. You will also be called upon to contribute to grant proposals.

Keep the Prison Society up-to-date on new publications and projects on prisons, public safety, and the criminal legal field. By keeping yourself updated on scholarship, participating in criminology and related research circles, and sharing relevant new research and developments with programmatic staff.
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Managing Director: People’s Light

About the Opportunity

People’s Light (PL) in Malvern, Pennsylvania seeks its next Managing Director (MD) to partner with Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman (Producing Artistic Director) in leading an exciting regional treasure with a unique campus, year-round productions, a long-standing Company of artists, and a meaningful role in both its community and the national theatre field. People’s Light serves as one of Pennsylvania’s largest professional non-profit theatres, known for its eclectic mix of productions and innovative work with young people. The next MD will be a key partner to Berkman, with both leaders reporting to the Board of Trustees, to guide the organization during a dynamic model shift from acclaimed regional theatre to prominent cultural and civic center. At the dawn of its 50th Anniversary Season (24/25), People’s Light is excited to better leverage its distinctive seven-acre campus at the crossroads of growing suburban, rural, and exurban communities to become a more visible destination for live arts and a gravitational hub of activity that serves both longstanding stakeholders as well as attracts a generation of new patrons.

The ideal candidate for Managing Director will bring expertise in the non-profit theatre field, from revenue generating and financial acumen to creative strategic thinking to a human centric leadership ethos and a commitment to civic connection. As a collaborative but decisive leader, the Managing Director will be open to listening to diverse and new perspectives, opportunities, and innovation while effectively leveraging organizational, human, financial, and technological resources. This individual will have the capacity to discern competing priorities, provide clarity in support of the company’s mission, and be a pro-active and inclusive communicator.

About People’s Light

People’s Light currently resides on Lenapehoking, land of Lenape. The Lenape are among the Indigenous Nations of First Contact with Europeans, and one of the oldest continuous democracies on Earth.

According to Lenape, this land belongs to the Creator, yet it was given to Lenape to inhabit and steward. It was and continues to be their homeland to look after, as many nations of Lenapehoking are still here. And while Lenape have welcomed people from all over the world to their shores, that invitation comes with the responsibility to treat everyone and everything on this land with respect.

Founded in 1974, People’s Light is a cultural and civic center with theatre at its core. People’s Light produces a season of productions with stories drawn from ancient times through tomorrow that have direct relevance to its communities and concerns. In support of this range, they produce classics, contemporary plays and musicals, and commission and produce new work: of our 452 productions, over a third (171) have been world or regional premieres. Our Company of Artists includes directors, designers, dramaturgs, teaching artists, stage managers, and actors.

People’s Light also offers a robust array of education and other programming to steward relationships with community partners and audiences. Among these are the New Voices Ensemble, a multi-decade program serving young people from the City of Chester; and New Play Frontiers, a long-term initiative to develop and produce new plays that explore American identity through stories of deep meaning to a diversity of populations in the distinctive region that PL calls home. (Learn more about education (https://tinyurl.com/2s5reye3) and new play programs (https://tinyurl.com/bdedurrz)  at PL)

People’s Light has always called Chester County home. In 1979 the theatre moved to its current location in Malvern, which includes two black box theatres with 330 and 140 seats respectively; offices; scenic and costume shops; rehearsal halls; classrooms; a restored 18th-century farmhouse that includes housing for guest artists; the Fern & Fable restaurant; and The Farmhouse banquet and catering facility that can be rented for special events. Many patrons of People’s Light credit their first experience with the company to attending various events on the parklike seven-acre campus, at the Farmhouse or in the gardens, deepening the appreciation of PL as a civic asset and gathering place for Chester County. The Theatre annually employs 40 full time staff, with up to an additional 60 part time artists and staff members, many of whom live within 15 miles of the campus, and almost 200 guest artists each season from Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., and beyond. People’s Light operates with an annual budget of $6.8 million which includes net income from the for-profit subsidiary, which when grossed up increases the budget to $8.2 million. People’s Light serves 60,000 patrons, guests, students, and community members each year.Job Description

The Managing Director is responsible for the overall business, administrative, and operational management of the organization. This includes leadership and oversight in the areas of fundraising, marketing, budgeting, financial management, operations/facilities, HR, board relations, and civic connection. The Managing Director is the driver of long-range planning and strategic goals for the organization, in collaboration with the Producing Artistic Director, General Manager and the Board.

People’s Light Managing Director will be an inspirational and experienced theatre leader, who has demonstrable achievements connected to their arts nonprofit leadership. The MD will be a strong collaborative partner of Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman, who has served People’s Light since 2011 in artistic leadership, first as Associate AD, then becoming Producing Director in 2013 and Producing Artistic Director in 2022. He is ready to welcome a partner in leadership to continue to build on the strong foundation of the history of People’s Light. The person in this role has a sense of adventure and curiosity, excels at working through challenges, and thrives in building both collegial and collaborative internal relationships while also serving as one of PL’s primary external ambassadors. An innovative and collaborative leader with a passion for theatre in all its forms, the Managing Director understands the importance of financial stability and transparency while ensuring that the artistic product and the People’s Light team are supported and nurtured. The Managing Director must be a values-driven human being whose experience is grounded in equity, access, and inclusion and who embodies the values of the company.

The person stepping into the Managing Director’s role will have had demonstrable successes in fundraising and financial management, as well as in long term strategic planning, hands on experience in guiding marketing and fundraising teams, and possess a significant working knowledge of facilities management.
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Legal Compliance Specialist: Philadelphia Legal Assistance

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA), a non-profit that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families to ensure equal access to justice and strengthen Philadelphia’s communities, is seeking a detail-oriented and self-directed Legal Compliance Specialist to join our organization. The Legal Compliance Specialist is responsible for ensuring PLA’s client services fully comply with the requirements of our flagship funder, the Legal Services Corporation, by conducting a thorough manual review of case notes and documentation for each client served by our legal teams. This is an ideal position for someone who enjoys working independently, can maintain exceptional attention to detail while working quickly, and would like to learn more about the legal world, particularly legal services designed to ensure equal access to justice for all.

The Legal Compliance Specialist reports to PLA’s Contract Performance Officer and is a key member of the organization’s Administrative team.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct a manual review of all cases handled by PLA attorneys and paralegals to ensure the provision of high-quality legal services and adequate documentation, including but not limited to verification of financial eligibility and timeliness of legal services
  • Follow up with staff when errors are identified and confirm they are successfully resolved
  • Assist with providing training to PLA attorneys and paralegals to improve organization-wide compliance
  • Share process improvement recommendations with PLA leadership

The responsibilities outlined above will occupy most of the Legal Compliance Specialist’s time. With their remaining time, they will provide robust back-office support across the organization. Examples include helping prepare reports to funders, preparing vendor invoices, assuring compliance with requirements of non-LSC funders, ensuring timely payment for litigation expenses, maintaining up-to-date administrative files, and distributing quarterly case reports to attorneys and paralegals.

Preferred Experience and Skills

 High school degree or equivalent and at least two years of work experience, preferably in an administrative role managing a high volume of data and/or documentation

  • Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail
  • Excellent organization, prioritization, and time management skills
  • An aptitude and enjoyment of independent work, with a self-directed work ethic
  • Capacity to read and understand complex government contract and reporting requirements
  • Ability and desire to handle high volumes of data and documentation
  • A commitment to ensuring our clients’ information is protected and remains confidential
  • Prior use of a data management system and comfort with Microsoft Excel
  • Values alignment with PLA, including a commitment to justice, equity, and opportunity

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Senior Accountant: Philadelphia Legal Assistance

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA), a non-profit that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families to ensure equal access to justice and strengthen Philadelphia’s communities, is seeking a highly organized and collaborative Senior Accountant to join our organization. The Senior Accountant is responsible for conducting monthly closings, preparing financial statements for our annual audit, and ensuring our processes and procedures maximize clarity and adherence to requirements while minimizing inefficiencies. The Senior Accountant reports to PLA’s Finance Director and is a key member of the organization’s Finance team.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct regular month-end and year-end closing for all of PLA’s programs and projects
  • Analyze and reconcile balance sheets and general ledger accounts, ensuring accuracy in allocation of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and resolving discrepancies
  • Prepare schedules and financial statements in support of annual audits
  • Ensure financial grant compliance and fiscal responsibility
  • Utilize and recommend improvements to policies, procedures, and manuals designed to enable clarity in financial processes and ensure adequate financial controls
  • Assist the Director of Finance in creating cash flow projections, budget variance analyses, and revenue forecasts

Preferred Experience and Skills

 Four-year degree and at least three years of accounting experience, including a demonstrated understanding of month-end/year-end close processes, GAAP, and grant accounting processes

  • An aptitude for understanding, adhering to, and applying grant reporting requirements and restrictions within a dynamic environment
  • Excellent organization, prioritization, and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects at once
  • Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail with solid writing skills
  • An orientation toward collaboration and teamwork, along with a self-directed work ethic and the ability to work independently
  • Comfort with ambiguity and adapting to changing circumstances
  • Values alignment with PLA, including a commitment to justice, equity, and opportunity

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Executive Director: Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation

The Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the arts and creative small business as a catalyst to generate economic activity and encourage investment in the Lansdowne area. We do this through a variety of events and services for current and prospective businesses, as well as residents and visitors.
The Executive Director is the chief administrative officer responsible for leading the LEDC in achieving its mission and implementing the LEDC’s policies as defined by the Board of Directors.
The selected Executive Director candidate will be joining the LEDC at an exciting time as we prepare to embark on strategic planning in 2025. The desired candidate will have a deep understanding of non-profit strategy and small business needs, along with a proven ability to think strategically and lead effectively.
Major functions of the Executive Director include staff management and recruitment, managing fundraising and finances, and community building and coordination.

Background

Lansdowne PA, is a diverse and vibrant creative community 6 miles from Philadelphia City Hall. Lansdowne is a classic historic town, with a walkable downtown center, and excellent public transportation including bus, trolley, and regional rail connecting to Philadelphia, Media, and the Main Line, a short 13-minute ride to University City by train. Lansdowne has a large concentration of Victorian-era homes, with two National Historic Districts. Housing is affordable and there is a strong sense of community and volunteerism. Lansdowne has traditionally been home to artists, small creative businesses, and residents involved in higher education.
Lansdowne is on the verge of greater artistic development and economic growth. The Historic Lansdowne Theater shuttered for thirty-five years is undergoing a restoration and will re-open as a twelve hundred-seat concert venue in the fall of 2024 and a new state-of-the-art modern apartment building, close to public transportation, with views of the Philadelphia skyline is slated for development. The LEDC played a key role in advancing these projects and seeks to leverage these assets offering business support to create opportunities and foster a human-based economy.
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