CFO/Controller
Organization: GRIP Training Institute: https://grip-traininginstitute.org
Location, Hybrid: Berkeley, CA Headquarters and remote
Type: Full time, exempt
Position Overview:
As the GRIP Training Institute sets out to scale its program and impact, the CFO/Controller will lead the design and implementation of organization-wide systems capable of supporting GRIP’s scaling efforts, in line with GRIP’s culture/values. The organization is at a key inflection point, having grown from 3 full time staff in 2019 to 14 FT and 15 PT, currently. We anticipate continued growth as we refine and implement a 10-year scaling strategy.
GRIP is committed to building an organizational culture rooted in principles of restorative justice and the foundational GRIP value of “power with.” The CFO/Controller role is an exciting opportunity for an innovative, operations and people person who thrives at leading through times of growth and change, and who is open to experimenting and learning alongside others.
This person, working hand-in-hand with the Executive Director, will be charged with leading the financial management and overseeing key internal functions (e.g., Operations, Technology, Data). Reporting directly to the ED, the CFO/Controller will translate GRIP’s strategic vision for scaling and sustainability into annual operating goals, budgets, and work plans, and then guide a leadership team to achieve these goals successfully. A core part of the mission of the GRIP Training Institute is the leadership development of formerly incarcerated graduates of the GRIP program. The CFO/Controller will have a key role in guiding the development of systems, practices and an organizational culture that helps the organization succeed in this mission. They will manage 2-5 direct reports and will coach and develop talent across the organization towards outcomes while building and maintaining a positive, productive and inclusive organizational culture grounded in restorative justice and love.
The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership expertise in non-profit finance and operational systems for successful growth, and will also “be the glue” connecting these support functions to the broader organizational mission and program strategy. They will identify and address pain points, find or create tools to solve problems, and create efficiencies across the organization. The ideal person is a gifted manager who enjoys developing others and sees their own success through the accomplishments of their team.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT
- Oversee all aspects of financial management in the organization, ensuring effective procedures, accounting, reporting, budgeting, and audits.
- Manage the organization’s strategic finance processes in support of programs and operations, including organizational-wide budgeting, project budgeting for specific grants, and financial modeling to ensure sustainable growth.
- Establish and manage inclusive, effective systems for budgeting and tracking financial objectives and key results; regularly evaluating and tracking progress to goal.
- Prepare, analyze and present regular financial reports and progress metrics for the Executive Director and Board.
- Streamline the financial processes to effectively track, manage and report out on all government and foundation grants.
- Ensure the organization follows fiscal policies, and all funds are managed in compliance with GAAP.
- Oversee 990 and audit processes, ensuring effective internal controls and preparation, as well as managing the relationships with external auditors.
- Provide leadership, in collaboration with board treasurer, to manage cash reserves and investments in line with board policies.
- In collaboration with the ED, lead long-range financial planning, risk management, and plan for long-term sustainability of the GRIP Training Institute.
OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT
Leadership on capacity building & change management
- Plan and execute regular leadership team meetings and all-staff retreats ensuring timely project planning, organizational progress to goals and alignment with the overall strategic plan.
- Ensure teams have the resources and talent they need and are well positioned to deliver on their respective outcomes.
- In consultation with the ED and Operations Director, evaluate and refine the organizational structure to meet short- and long-term goals and priorities as GRIP scales its impact; this includes overseeing analysis on, and revisions to compensation and benefits for recruitment and retention of high performing talent.
- Guide processes to assess and refine current practices to reflect our transformative values of equity, transparency, and wellness. This includes employment policies, compensation and benefits, management practices, and organizational structure.
- Establish practices and systems that promote opportunity and professional growth at every level of the organization. This includes researching and experimenting with transformational structures and practices that promote equity and inclusion as we scale (eg., sociocracy; “reinventing organizations” practices).
- With a cross functional perspective, and an eye toward scaling and equity, seek ways to integrate and improve the organizational systems and processes to promote alignment with organizational values, culture and impact.
- Support effective implementation of a comprehensive data system integration initiative for purposes of program tracking and evaluation, public communications and fundraising.
- Support effective execution of a learning management system to improve current program implementation and the development of an e-learning delivery model acceptable within the state prison system.
Model transformative management and learning culture
- Support the leadership development of current and future members of the staff to achieve their vocational goals, both at GRIP and beyond.
- Provide strong day-to-day management while cultivating shared purpose, building distributed leadership teams, and fostering interconnectedness throughout the organization’s culture and practices.
- Promote and serve as a culture carrier for GRIP’s values with a deep commitment to practicing the teachings and tools of GRIP curriculum, and supporting others to do the same.
Who Should Apply:
The ideal candidate has exceptional financial management experience,, who loves to develop people and systems and has intricate knowledge of all that is integral to successful scaling of programs. They have deep knowledge of and compassion for the real experiences of incarceration and the impact of trauma/violence in people’s lives. They have an unwavering belief that people are the core to any mission-driven organization and that strong operations foster the ability to manage through complex, challenging issues. They have a passion for building organizations with equity and wellness in mind, and are lifelong learners themselves.
The strongest candidates will have the following experience and qualities:
- 10+ years of work experience in leadership role in financial management and operations management, connecting these aspects with strategic considerations across the organization;
- A proven track record of leading an organization through growth periods;
- Non-profit financial management expertise, with experience providing oversight of complex financial processes, as well as understanding of non-profit accounting principles, practices, and reporting.
- Exceptional people management skills; ability to establish credibility and trust among staff and a wide array of stakeholders; has managed and developed teams to have shared ownership and deliver high-quality results;
- High degree of emotional intelligence, including self-awareness to skillfully handle one’s own emotions and respond skillfully to others’.
- Understanding of HR processes and systems, including compensation and benefits.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to organize and interpret data, generate insights, and anticipate challenges and opportunities
- Experience operationalizing strategic growth plans into tactical implementation
- Deep commitment to the transformative and healing mission of GRIP
- Desired attributes: lived experience connected to incarceration and violence, and experience with restorative justice practices.
ABOUT THE GRIP TRAINING INSTITUTE
The mission of GRIP is to create the personal and systemic change to turn violence and suffering into opportunities for learning and healing. The focus of our work is the prison system.
The Guiding Rage Into Power (GRIP) program is an evidence-based methodology developed over 24 years of work with thousands of incarcerated people and many victims/survivors. The program is a trauma-informed model that integrates neuroscientific research with therapeutic methodologies, and is rooted in principles of Restorative Justice. It offers students an in-depth journey that transforms violent behavior into an attitude of emotional intelligence that prevents re-victimization. The year-long program helps participants to comprehend the origins of their violence and develop the skills to track and manage strong impulses before they are acted out in destructive ways.
GRIP’s perspective and the title of our 200-page coursebook is “Leaving Prison Before You Get Out.” ™ Together we learn that being free is not just about finding oneself on the other side of the prison gate; it’s not just a geographic fact. At the heart of being free is not where you are, but who you are. We believe that nobody was born armed and dangerous, that violence is learned and that it is a tragic expression of an unmet need. Therefore, it can also be unlearned. GRIP’s methodology facilitates unlearning violent behavior to replace it with an attitude of insight, compassion and service.
Between 2012 and 2022, 1,283 people graduated from the GRIP program. Of these graduates, 674 have been released from prison, with a recidivism rate of 0.92%. GRIP functions as a peer education model where selected and trained graduates of the program co-facilitate the classes while mentoring new students. Since 2012, over 75 GRIP graduates have served as inside facilitators. GRIP’s impact continues beyond prison walls through our initiatives to support graduates of the GRIP program after their release. GRIP’s commitment to supporting graduates beyond prison walls is a testament to our belief in the power of restorative justice and the ability of individuals to transform their lives.
The GRIP Training Institute is committed to building and nurturing an inclusive, equitable, respectful and accountable work environment. We welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life. What we ask of our students inside prison, we also ask of ourselves outside the walls — to practice the GRIP tools of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, do-no-harm, and understanding the impact of our actions on others.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The GRIP Training Institute offers its staff competitive benefits, including 100% paid health and dental/vision insurance, 401k plan, 15 days PTO, generous paid holidays and office closures during winter breaks, as well as professional development, self-care funds, and staff retreat days.
Salary is competitive with other Bay Area nonprofits, and commensurate with experience: $120K-160K
To apply, please send a resume and tailored cover letter describing your interest and experience that is relevant to this role to: hiring manager Veronica Balseiro at veronica@insight-out.org.
GRIP is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. We strongly encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented communities and people impacted by the criminal justice system.
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
Organization: GRIP Training Institute
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid: Berkeley, CA / Remote)
Type: Full time, Non-Exempt (40 hours a week)
About: https://grip-traininginstitute.org
DO YOU?
Do you want to be on a team who works toward the dismantling of the mass incarceration system, and strives to turn violence and suffering into opportunities for healing? Do you want to work with proven leaders in the growing global movement toward Restorative Justice? Do you want to make an impact on the lives of justice impacted people? GRIP Training Institute is seeking a Communications Associate to join our growing team.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The GRIP Program works to rehabilitate incarcerated people with violent crimes who are serving life sentences and will be paroled into our communities someday. Reporting directly to the Communications and Marketing Director, the Communications Associate will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission by managing day-to-day communications efforts, primarily focusing on social media and email marketing, with additional responsibilities including updating our WordPress website with new page content. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful social impact and amplify the voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people who have direct experience with in-prison rehabilitative programs.
KEY PARTNERSHIPS
This role partners with the Director, development, program, and finance teams to implement a coordinated marketing and communications strategy. The Communications Associate will also work with our leaders, staff, formerly incarcerated program alumni, victims/survivors of violent crime, and their families.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator with a passion for social justice and criminal justice reform. They have at least three years of in-depth experience in social media coordination, email marketing, and/or WordPress website content management. Creative, detail-oriented, and self-motivated, they excel in crafting engaging content to amplify marginalized voices. They possess strong writing, editing, and design skills, along with a keen understanding of the nonprofit sector. And they are dedicated to advancing GRIP’s mission of fostering healing and accountability within the incarcerated community.
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATION (30%)
- Develop and implement social media strategies to increase engagement, followership, and brand visibility across platforms with special focus on Instagram.
- Create compelling and timely content for social media channels, including graphics, videos, and written posts, that align with GRIP’s mission and values.
- Monitor social media platforms for relevant conversations, trends, and opportunities to engage with our audiences effectively.
- Monitor and analyze the performance of social media content and provide insights to inform strategy adjustments.
- Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in social media, email marketing, and web development, making recommendations for continuous improvement.
EMAIL MARKETING (30%)
- Design and execute email marketing campaigns, including drafting content, segmenting audiences, and analyzing campaign performance metrics.
- Maintain the organization’s email list and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CAN-SPAM).
DIGITAL CONTENT (30%)
- Collaborate with staff to gather stories, testimonials, updates, photos, and videos from participants and alumni for use in communications materials.
- Maintain the content calendar, scheduling posts, and ensuring consistency in messaging and branding.
- Update the WordPress website with new page content, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with brand guidelines.
OTHER (10%)
- Serve as a point person for general communication inquiries.
- Other tasks as assigned.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
The strongest candidates will have the following experience and qualities:
- 3+ years of experience in social media coordination, email marketing, and website content development, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
- Proficiency in social media platforms with particular emphasis on Instagram
- Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and calls-to-action.
- Creative mindset with a keen eye for design aesthetics and visual storytelling.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- A genuine passion for social justice, criminal justice reform, and serving marginalized communities.
- Experience working with diverse populations and sensitivity to issues related to incarceration, trauma, and mental health.
- Self-motivated and adaptable, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in an impactful way.
- Working understanding of Canva and/or WordPress (Elementor editor preferred) platforms a plus.
BONUS POINTS: Lived experience of incarceration, surviving violence, and/or being personally impacted by the criminal justice system.
ABOUT THE GRIP TRAINING INSTITUTE
GRIP’s perspective and the title of our 200-page coursebook is “Leaving Prison Before You Get Out.” ™ Together we learn that being free it’s not just about finding oneself on the other side of the prison gate; it’s not just a geographic fact. At the heart of being free is not where you are, but who you are. We believe that nobody was born armed and dangerous, that violence is learned and that it is a tragic expression of an unmet need. Therefore, it can also be unlearned; GRIP’s methodology facilitates unlearning violent behavior to replace it with an attitude of insight, compassion and service.
Our flagship program, GRIP (Guiding Rage Into Power), is a one-year, intensive program that guides incarcerated people through a journey of deep transformation and accountability. GRIP is a proven model for incarcerated people’s rehabilitation and healing, developed over 24 years in the California State prisons by founder Jacques Verduin, in collaboration with thousands of life-sentenced (with parole) incarcerated people.
The GRIP Training Institute is committed to building and nurturing an inclusive, equitable, respectful and accountable work environment. We welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life. What we ask of our students inside, we ask of ourselves — to practice the GRIP tools of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, do-no-harm, and understanding the impact of our actions on others.
ANTI-BIAS
We are committed to breaking down systemic structures which contribute to deep inequities in our system. We continuously question our culture, climate and curriculum to ensure all members of our community are committed to being racially, culturally literate and ultimately anti-bias change makers.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The GRIP Training Institute offers competitive benefits, including health and dental insurance, paid holidays, paid time off, and staff retreats. Salary competitive and commensurate with experience with a range between $61,900 to $72,800, annualized from hourly rate.
To apply, please send an updated resume and tailored cover letter to: brian@insight-out.org
GRIP Training Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace regardless of race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. People of Color are encouraged to apply.
INTRODUCTION
GRIP (Guiding Rage into Power) is a proven model for incarcerated people rehabilitation and healing, developed over 25 years in the California State prisons by Jacques Verduin, in collaboration with thousands of life-sentenced prisoners. We offer a training program for people interested in becoming Facilitators. They are called GRIP Trainee Facilitators (GTFs).
Below is an outline of our expectations for facilitators, and the training and support we offer.
EXPECTATIONS OF GRIP FACILITATORS
Training Model
The primary way that GRIP Facilitators learn the content and process of facilitating GRIP is by “apprenticing” alongside more experienced facilitators. This process includes joining a GRIP Tribe in order to learn the curriculum & facilitation skills needed to become a certified GRIP facilitator and eventually run a GRIP Tribe of your own. GTF’s will be provided with tasks and goals to be completed on the path towards their certification, including coaching and supervision from both the staff of the tribe they are training in, as well as our GRIP staff.
Personal dedication to the work of inner freedom
There are particular skills, experience and qualities that we look for in selecting GRIP facilitators. Perhaps most important, we look for your personal dedication to the work required to become free — not only for the incarcerated people in our groups to walk out of the doors of prison, but for them and us to be free from the patterns of thinking and acting that have caused suffering and harm in all of our lives, whether we are incarcerated people, formerly incarcerated or outside facilitators.
Personal Practice
Hand in hand with dedication is the commitment to personal practice. We are looking for people who have a proven record of looking inside themselves, are aware of their triggers and issues, and are dedicated to being authentic, transparent, and willing to be vulnerable. Perhaps you have a personal mindfulness practice; perhaps you regularly do something else to help you to ground your being, look inside, reflect on your habits of thought and action, and heal old wounds. The best way we can teach is to embody and model the healing journey that the curriculum represents.
Resources and Training
In addition to the hands-on, in-depth training time inside prison, the GRIP Training Institute also invests in the development of its facilitators in multiple ways:
- Semi-annual Facilitator retreat/trainings (usually March/Oct)
- Monthly conference call trainings with senior trainers
- Articles and readings
Preparation and Team Expectations
The quality of what we deliver to our students is dependent on us as facilitators being at our best when we walk through the doors of the prison. We want to do everything we can to ensure you are extremely well prepared, no matter whether you are an outside GTF, an inside GTF or a Certified Facilitator:
- Participate in monthly planning calls with your GRIP facilitator team
- Study the monthly lesson plans, the curriculum and facilitator guidelines for each session
- Prepare the sections you will lead
- Do your part to review homework and quizzes, and respond to the students
- Take turns written reports on your group after each class
- Give and receive feedback from your colleagues
- Communicate with your prison’s GRIP coordinator any issues or needs that come up with your group, and respond to requests from them promptly.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
In the course of the training program, you will learn and be expected to demonstrate the following, in order to become a certified GRIP facilitator:
- A GRIP content expert — You understand and can teach the GRIP materials. You have internalized the GRIP curriculum: are able to give personal examples to demonstrate tools and concepts.
- Facilitation skills — You are able to engage others; process with students; read the room and engage the students and your colleagues; recognize group dynamics and skillfully interact with them; you know the difference between instructing, facilitating and processing. Feeling comfortable presenting in public, in front of the class.
- Commitment and accountability to the program — You have excellent attendance at classes, debrief or planning meetings/calls; trainings; you respond to quizzes/homework assignments on-time; and are reliable with follow-through.
- Openness to learning — You are honest about areas of personal growth; participate in trainings, do assignments/readings. You know your strengths and weaknesses. Openness to work with all human beings regardless of gender, sexual identity, gang affiliation, yard designation, crimes committed, race, ethnicity, spirituality, country of origin, etc.
- Teamwork — You understand team dynamics, share the class workload, give and receive feedback, handle conflict as soon as it emerges and in a transparent manner, collaborate. Ability to lead and to follow others’ leads. Step back, step up.
- Commitment to your own healing journey and self-care — You have a support community and practices; use colleagues and supervisors to debrief, do your own inner work using GRIP tools; are willing to be vulnerable about the journey.
- Healthy understanding and use of power — You understand your own privilege and power in your role as facilitator; demonstrates commitment and capacity to act from a power-with stance, not power-over.
Compensation & Benefits
- An hourly wage of $20
- Ability to earn overtime when requested
- Reimburse GRIP Trainee Facilitators for mileage and food/lodging expenses
- Potential to become a Certified GRIP Facilitator with opportunities for advancement