Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (L.E.A.D.) Project Manager

New Orleans Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion/ Let Everyone Advance with Dignity (LEAD) Project Manager - Job Description

Project Description

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion is a pre-arrest, pre-booking diversion initiative for individuals otherwise subject to arrest or citation for low-level, nonviolent offenses related to unmet behavioral health needs, substance use, or homelessness. LEAD brings together law enforcement, health and social service providers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and civil rights advocates to offer long-term, harm-reduction-centered case management as an alternative to traditional criminal justice responses.

The New Orleans LEAD program launched in 2017, relaunched in 2021, and currently operates in the 6th, 7th, and 8th NOPD districts. In 2024, the program expanded referral pathways to include community-based referrals.

LEAD exists to drive systemic transformation—reducing reliance on arrest and incarceration, promoting racial equity, and improving public health and safety outcomes. The LEAD Project Manager leads this work by coordinating partners, stewarding fidelity to the model, and shaping policy and operational strategy.

Position Overview

The LEAD Project Manager is responsible for implementing, expanding, coordinating, and sustaining the LEAD program in New Orleans. This role balances strategic leadership with daily operational oversight and requires strong relationship-building and cross-sector collaboration skills.

The Project Manager acts as a neutral convener, representing the shared vision and commitments of all LEAD partners. Responsibilities include contract reporting, program coordination, policy development, community engagement, data oversight, communication management, and sustainability planning.

Project Governance:

• LEAD Policy Coordinating Group (PCG) — provides programmatic direction and oversight comprised of LEAD’s primary stakeholders including but not limited to: the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Orleans Parish Public Defender’s Office, the New Orleans City Attorney’s Office, the New Orleans Health Department, and Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans.

Contractual Reporting:

• New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) — receives required monthly reporting, data updates, operational summaries, and other deliverables outlined in the City contract.

Employer Supervision/Organizational Home:

• Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans — the organizational and administrative home of the position. The LEAD Project Manager will report to Chief Executive Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Governance & Coordination

• Provide all required monthly reports to NOHD, including meeting summaries, program updates, data outputs and outcomes, funding opportunities, operational changes, and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate closely with the LEAD direct services supervisor.
• Lead or support policy creation, policy design, and policy revision efforts that strengthen alignment with harm reduction and public health frameworks.
• Advocate for system-level policy change within criminal justice, behavioral health, housing, and public safety systems.
• Convene and facilitate PCG meetings at least quarterly.
• Translate PCG decisions into operational action plans aligned with the LEAD Implementation Plan.
• Convene and manage Operational Workgroup (OWG) meetings.
• Maintain adherence to LEAD’s National Fidelity Framework, including participant-led goals, non-coercive engagement, and discharge as a last resort.

Program Operations & Data Management

• Manage system-level operations to ensure PD and CM are coordinating succinctly and ensuring fidelity to LEAD standards from all partners.
• Maintain all documentation, data, and records required under the City contract, including compliance with NOHD review, monitoring, and auditing processes.
• Manage and analyze data related to referrals, engagement, services, outcomes, and system impact.
• Collaborate with evaluators or analysts to support continuous quality improvement.
• Review case management reports, including diversions, intakes, discharges, and participant progress.
• Develop and disseminate an annual report.
• Coordinate with prosecutorial partners and courts to resolve participants’ outstanding legal matters.
• Identify and address systemic barriers affecting participant outcomes.

Law Enforcement Collaboration

• Work closely with NOPD leadership to strengthen diversion culture and support LEAD implementation.
• Maintain open communication with officers and command staff.
• Troubleshoot missed referral opportunities and identify training or procedural needs.
• Develop and deliver law-enforcement trainings grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.

Community Engagement & Education

• Build relationships with community leaders, residents, businesses, nonprofits, and neighborhood associations.
• Engage individuals with lived experience to inform program design, implementation, and outreach.
• Develop community education strategies highlighting LEAD’s purpose and impact.
• Support development of the community referral pathway and supervise the Community Engagement Specialist.

Communications

• Maintain effective internal communication among LEAD partners.
• Oversee website content, public information materials, and social media presence.
• Prepare press releases, presentations, talking points, and program updates.

Budget, Funding & Sustainability

• Identify and secure grant funding from local, state, federal, and private sources.
• Manage program budgets and track expenditures in accordance with contract requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders and stakeholders.
• Advocate for sustained institutionalized government funding for the LEAD program.
• Develop multi-year sustainability and growth plans.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to harm reduction, racial equity, and participant-centered care.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-sector initiatives involving law enforcement, behavioral health, social services, or public safety.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong data analysis and project management abilities.
• Skilled in meeting facilitation and consensus building.
• Knowledge of local behavioral health, housing, and homelessness systems preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, and social media tools.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in public administration, criminal justice, social work, public health, or related field preferred.

Core Competencies

• Neutral Leadership – Able to remain impartial while coordinating multi-agency collaboration.
• Strategic Vision – Understands long-term system transformation and balances it with operational demands.
• Fidelity Stewardship – Ensures program operations reflect harm-reduction principles.
• Data-Driven Management – Uses data for evaluation, decision-making, and improvement.
• Community Collaboration – Integrates lived experience and community input.
• Sustainability Planning – Develops long-term funding and operational strategies.

Location: New Orleans, LA

Job Type: Full-time (35 hours per week), Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 3:45pm. Flexibility in schedule to meet program needs, including occasional evening or weekend hours.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter detailing their experience and interest in the position to jobs@travelersaidneworleans.org.

Travelers Aid Society of New Orleans is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person