Mock Trial/Mock Appeal Program Manager

For over two decades, Discovering Justice has been bringing students and communities together to examine the workings of the justice system, explore the ideals of justice, and prepare them to engage as active citizens. We believe in the power of the next generation to sustain our democracy. We value the belief that the justice system can and should work for everyone.

Discovering Justice’s Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Programs pair middle school students with legal professionals to explore the workings of the judicial system, analyze a legal case, and practice the civic skills needed to argue cases persuasively. Through these engaging, supportive weekly sessions, student attorneys develop the confidence and vital civic skills like perspective-taking, critical thinking, writing, public speaking, and civil discourse necessary to become community leaders.

As the Program Manager, you'll be the driving force behind these two flagship programs, steering their direction and enhancement. You'll not just be managing; you'll direct these programs in alignment with our core values, ensuring every step we take resonates with our mission and unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Program Manager will coordinate the effective implementation of the growing Fall Mock Trial and Spring Mock Appeal Programs for 25-35 teams of middle school students and legal mentors.

• Strengthening and Managing a Network of Partners: Recruit, train, and manage our partnerships with school administrators and teachers, legal partners, and courthouse staff to provide the capacity to drive the programs.
• Event and Project Operations: Each semester, orchestrate logistics for 12 events ranging from 50-500 attendees to ensure an optimal experience for students, partners, families, and volunteers.
• Align Programs to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Cultural Diversity Standards: Ensure the programs adhere to and promote DEI principles, reflecting a commitment to cultural diversity in all operations.
• Continuous Improvement: Collect data and strategic feedback to assess, report, and enhance areas directly informed by staff observations, participant insights, and student development.
• Curriculum Development / Instructional Design: To optimize student comprehension and engagement, update and enhance existing program learning materials and activities.
• Program Fundraising: Actively cultivate relationships with the program's network, raising money from partners and enhancing the program's potential.
• Fellow Management: Oversee a fellow each semester, emphasizing mentorship and professional development. This fellow supports the operations of the programs.
• Data Mining and Management: Use technical skills to compile and present program operations, logistics, and results.

Don’t quite meet the above qualifications but feel like you could be a strong fit for the role? We would love to still hear from you and encourage you to apply!

• We strongly encourage applications from members of marginalized communities who have been disproportionately affected by the justice system, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, and the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities.
• Discovering Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We value a diverse workforce.

Each day as a Program Manager is dynamic and fulfilling. Imagine orchestrating an 11-week program that benefits over 500 middle school students. Your morning might start with training an attorney from the District Attorney’s office on the intricacies of the Mock Trial curriculum. By afternoon, you could be observing eager 7th-graders as they hone their skills, presenting cases before a judge. Your work day might wrap up coordinating the grand Mock Trial Final Event at the Framingham District Court, liaising with the Court Clerk, and inviting city VIPs to witness the young minds in action. All the while, your efforts will be directly channeled toward ensuring the program’s impact.

• Your Manager: You report to the Education Program Director, Laura Brenner.
• Your Team: You will have two peers as a Program Manager in a lean nine-person organization. You will work closely with the Community Partnerships Manager, Malia Brooks, to recruit program participants and a Fellow each semester.
• Your Reports: Each year, the Mock Trial and Mock Appeal includes 30-35 middle school teams and their legal mentors. Fellows will report directly to you.

Our office is situated within the iconic John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston. The location allows us to work closely with federal judges and other members of the Courthouse community to make the Courthouse a vibrant civic space. We embrace a hybrid work approach, combining the advantages of face-to-face interactions with the flexibility of remote work.

For this role, in-state travel to event locations is required. While having a vehicle is preferable, it’s worth noting that most events are reachable via public transit.

• 4+ years of relevant experience, ideally in program management
• Experience working with youth is ideal, but not a requirement
• Demonstrated knowledge of the US Justice system. Direct experience leading mock trials and appeals is a plus, but not a requirement
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice and a belief that the justice system can and should work for everyone