Harm Reduction Lead (Manager or Senior Manager)

New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition is seeking a Harm Reduction Manager/Senior Manager to lead the Middlesex Harm Reduction Center in New Brunswick. You will oversee daily operations, supervise frontline staff, and expand services with trauma‑informed leadership.

You will build partnerships, coordinate data reporting, and participate in policy advocacy to improve access to care for people who use drugs. A strong commitment to harm reduction and community engagement is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience building collaborations with diverse stakeholders.
• Supervising staff in human services settings and coaching growth.
• Knowledge of syringe services and multiple service delivery models.
• Clear written and verbal communication with staff, funders, and partners.
• Ability to work with strong autonomy while seeking input when needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations for the Middlesex Harm Reduction Center (50%).
• Schedule staff to cover drop-in, mobile outreach, and delivery services.
• Train and develop frontline Harm Reduction Specialists with trauma-informed supervision.
• Lead service shifts, conduct counseling, and respond to overdose emergencies.
• Coordinate program calendar and activities; ensure data collection and reporting.
• Build relationships with partners to promote the Middlesex HRC and referrals.
• Identify opportunities to expand services through community networks.
• Represent NJHRC on Middlesex County coalitions and with law enforcement.
• Oversee program quality and growth; drive improvements with Program Director.
• Ensure timely data entry/reporting; collaborate on advocacy opportunities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Supervisory experience

Syringe services knowledge

Written communication

Verbal communication

Autonomy & judgment

Program leadership

Job description

Who We Are

Incorporated in January 2020, NJHRC is a growing and fast‑paced nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a New Jersey that values the safety and dignity of all people who use drugs, and to make evidence‑informed harm reduction public health resources widely available to everyone in our state.

NJHRC accomplishes this through direct harm reduction services, training and technical assistance, and policy advocacy. Our direct services are focused on two Harm Reduction Centers: the Middlesex Harm Reduction Center (which this job will support) and the Statewide Harm Reduction Center (which is mail‑based and uses nontraditional digital outreach and engagement methods).

The Opportunity: Harm Reduction Manager/Senior Manager

We're looking for a harm reduction leader to put the TLC into building out NJHRC's Middlesex Harm Reduction Center (HRC), which is based in New Brunswick and serves Middlesex County. The Middlesex Harm Reduction Center service lines are: drop‑in center, mobile outreach/delivery, and healthcare kiosks.

You'll wear multiple hats as you lead daily program operations, facilitate direct service shifts, and supervise and support a growing frontline team. You'll be working alongside your team practicing and modeling stellar harm reduction counseling skills, while simultaneously developing the systems, schedules, and team culture that make excellent services possible.

The role is best suited for someone who is flexible and adaptable and who thrives in developing an expanding high‑impact, quality program. You will demonstrate a commitment to supporting people who use drugs and are actively targeted by drug war enforcement.

What You'll Do

• Lead day‑to‑day operations (50%)
• Schedule staff to ensure coverage for drop‑in, mobile outreach, delivery, and other service lines as needed.
• Train, support, manage, and develop the frontline Harm Reduction Specialist team, balancing trauma‑informed supervision with leadership coaching and burnout prevention.
• Lead service shifts (both mobile/supply delivery and drop‑in), conduct harm reduction counseling sessions with members, and act as an emergency responder in case of overdose.
• Coordinate drop‑in program calendar and activities.
• Implement programmatic policies and procedures including data collection and reporting.
• Build relationships & expand reach (25%).
• Develop relationships with organization and community partners to promote the Middlesex HRC and develop referrals, linkages to care, collaborative services, and promotional opportunities.
• Identify and act on new opportunities to expand services by connecting with and growing NJHRC's relationships with local networks of people who use drugs, people who trade sex, and people most likely to witness an overdose.
• Represent NJHRC on Middlesex County coalitions of service providers.
• Present information on rights of enrolled members to local law enforcement and other community stakeholders.
• Steward program quality & growth (25%).
• Identify opportunities for programmatic improvements and work with Program Director and Harm Reduction Specialists to make changes.
• Ensure accurate and on‑time data collection, entry, and reporting across service lines.
• Collaborate closely with policy team to lift up advocacy opportunities to improve systems, policies, and access to care for people who use drugs.
• Coordinate weekly Middlesex HRC program meetings in collaboration with Program Director.
• Flex into cross‑program roles and responsibilities as needed.

Who You Are

You are a harm reduction leader with sound judgment, strong people skills, and a commitment to getting sh*t done with care. You get energized by building something meaningful, and you connect authentically with members, colleagues, and partners while rolling up your sleeves to do the work.

"Must‑haves" for the job

• Relationship‑building. You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders, including people seeking Harm Reduction Center services, staff, and organizational partners.
• Supervisory experience. You have experience supervising staff in a human services setting. You approach supervision with care, can give and receive feedback constructively, and support others in their professional growth.
• Working knowledge of syringe services. You have experience with both the history and practices of syringe services and multiple service delivery models (e.g. fixed site, mobile outreach via vehicle or backpack, delivery, secondary exchange) or demonstrate motivation and ability to develop this knowledge.
• Written and verbal communication skills. You communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with staff, participants, funders, and other stakeholders in both written and verbal form.
• Strong judgment and balanced autonomy. You're comfortable taking initiative to solve problems and get sh*t done, know when to pause and get support, and independently identify which situations require input from