Criminal Justice Innovation Fellow

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change and bipartisan policy reforms, AV works to improve the lives of American families, strengthen communities, and promote economic opportunity. 

Position Overview 

Arnold Ventures’ Criminal Justice (CJ) team aims to make communities safer and make the criminal justice system fairer and more effective, based on high-quality research and evidence. The team works with experts from inside and outside government and across disciplines to reform the U.S. criminal justice system through research, evidence, testing innovative pilot programs, and policy change. 

The Innovation Fellow will lead work to support the development and execution of market‑based innovation projects that advance the team’s policy priorities to improve public safety outcomes. Working closely with the CJ team, as well as cross‑functionally, the Innovation Fellow will help source, shape, and manage pilots and planning grants, coordinate internal and external partners, and build the infrastructure needed to make innovation disciplined, repeatable, and scalable. 

This role offers opportunities for hands‑on project development, close collaboration with senior leadership, and developing an expanded professional network, among other things. It is an ideal role for an individual interested in learning more about public policy and the role philanthropy and technology can play in catalyzing and scaling evidence‑based change. The role is based in AV’s Houston office and reports to the Director of Innovation and Chief of Staff for the CJ team (the ​“Director”). 

Core Responsibilities 

• In collaboration with the Director, assess and develop high-impact opportunities from potential grantees, including but not limited to entrepreneurs, venture funds, technologists, and criminal justice system partners 

• Manage grants and investments; monitor progress, impact, and risks; and draw lessons to inform strategic priorities and the development of future opportunities 

• Coordinate across the CJ and Mission-Aligned Investing teams to ensure innovation projects are aligned with broader team goals and integrated into organizational strategies 

• Maintain a pipeline of projects, systematically documenting opportunities, partner engagement, decision points, and clear next steps for moving projects forward 

• Contribute to the development of tools, frameworks, and processes that strengthen the CJ team’s innovation practice, enabling more disciplined, repeatable, and scalable initiatives 

• Manage relationships with new and existing grantees, key stakeholders, consultants, and experts; deepen the grantee pipeline; and cultivate networks that support emerging innovation areas and strategic learning 

• Travel to conferences to represent AV’s work, meet with partners, learn from experts, and stay informed about developments in the field 

• Provide additional support to the Director with broader CJ team efforts, including but not limited to preparing briefs, coordinating across teams, and supporting priority initiatives as needed 

Term  

The Innovation fellow will be in a regular, full-time position and eligible to participate in AV’s benefits plan. We anticipate that the Innovation Fellow will be appointed for a two-year fixed term. 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, public policy, political science, or another relevant field 

• 4 years of work experience related to evidence-based policy, social impact, technology, consulting, philanthropy, venture capital, or a similar role 

• Interest in and curiosity about technology-enabled and market-based approaches to social and public sector challenges 

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, drive progress, and deliver outcomes through creative, solution-driven problem solving 

• Thrives in uncertain environments, quickly adapts, and confidently handles ambiguity 

• Clear alignment to the mission and goals of AV with a relentless drive to contribute toward their success and make a meaningful impact through this body of work 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to craft concrete solutions and communicate those solutions both to content experts and to diverse, nontechnical audiences 

The salary range for this position will be $105,000-$140,000. 

Benefits Overview 

AV is committed to providing a robust and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our current benefits package includes 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance; 20 days of paid time off, 16 paid holidays (including a winter break from December 24 to January 1), a hybrid policy that includes four days in office and one flexible day for remote work, and a summer schedule with alternating Fridays off beginning on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day; paid parental leave; a 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting; pre-tax transit benefits; a professional development stipend; a charitable giving stipend; and an employee assistance program. 

Our Culture and Core Values 

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help AV achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of AV’s work culture. 

• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity 

• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback 

• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects 

• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals 

AV’s values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the AV team to make a difference. 

• Respect for Ourselves & Others 

• Audacious Action 

• Collaborative Engagement 

• Depth of Thought 

• Clear Communication 

AV is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive workplace. We are seeking applicants from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences and perspectives. Candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/​veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.