Mission
The Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) is a social enterprise non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that unites executives and inmates through entrepreneurial passion and servant leadership to transform lives, restore families, and rebuild communities.

About PEP
Since 2004, PEP has pioneered an innovative program that connects the nation’s top executives, entrepreneurs, and MBA students with inmates. Our in-prison entrepreneurship boot camp and re-entry programs are proven, metric-driven, holistic solutions for maximizing self-sufficiency, transforming broken lives, and reducing recidivism.

PEP has graduated more than 3,200 inmates (who have started 500+ businesses), maintained a 100% employment rate within 90 days of release, and achieved a 3-year recidivism rate of less than 10%.  An independent study by Harvard’s ICIC showed that PEP makes an annual $122M GDP impact in Texas, resulting in $4.3M total State and Federal tax savings to deliver a 794% return on investment of charitable gifts.

Job Summary
The Manager, Prison Initiatives, will spend the majority of their time in prison overseeing class activities, teaching the business curriculum, working with prison authorities and coordinating events. The position will require regular overtime and some irregular working hours, including occasional weekends. It is imperative that this person models exemplary behavior and values to participants. The position is based out of the Estes Facility in Venus, Texas (about 45 minutes from DFW area). This person will be asked to attend In-prison Team meetings held virtually on MS Teams weekly. This person will report to PEP’s Director of In-prison Initiatives, and their time will be split between the following four responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Business Plan Instructor – PEP graduates three classes per year. Each class participant must write a business plan that could realistically be implemented within five years of release. The class culminates with each participant presenting a section of a team business plan to a panel of executives who provide feedback. The instructor’s responsibilities include:
  • Present general business theories from approved textbook(s) and PEP’s prison-relevant materials to build a general business foundation in each participant.
  • Design and administer tests over the presentation materials.
  • Assist each participant with writing his plan.
  • Provide critique on public speaking abilities (introductions, sales skills and business plan presentation).
  • Manage a group of inmate peer educators who assist in presenting business topics, editing business plans and teaching computer and business skills.
  • Manage business experts to ensure participants receive appropriate business information.

• Liaison with Prison Officials – Work with the warden and other unit staff to obtain approval for special requests, resolve conflicts and show appreciation.

• Class Coordinator
  • Provide day-to-day oversight of prison activities, including, but not limited to, class instruction and computer lab sessions.
  • Ensure curriculum and supplies are ready for each prison visit.
  • Delegate responsibilities to PEP’s free-world staff as necessary.
  • Plan weekly guest attendance, including PEP graduates.

• Event Coordinator – Throughout the four-month class, PEP hosts multiple “core” events for each class, each averaging 30 to 50 executives in attendance. PEP’s goal is to introduce each participant to at least 50 executives while the participant is in prison to provide him with substantial feedback for his business plan and a top-notch extensive support network upon release. The Manager, Prison Initiatives, works closely with PEP’s Donor Relations Manager in the following shared responsibilities:
  • Prepare participants who are released early and graduates who return for prison visits. Submission of approval forms to wardens.
  • Produce agendas and itineraries and prepare event speakers.
  • Oversee production of event materials, including participant business plans, executive biographies, executive folders, and promotional materials.
  • Direct/escort guests and manage staff involved in the event.
  • Manage the food and equipment needs.
  • Manage the follow-up process from events, e.g., thank you cards, pictures, frames, etc.

Measures of Success
This team player will focus on the effectiveness and efficiency of each class:

• 100% curriculum coverage according to schedule and guidelines
• Graduation rate over 75%
• Participant satisfaction rate over 90%
• Post-graduation involvement rate over 90%
• Participant connectivity with PEP upon reentry over 90% 

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred).
• Strong financial understanding, including experience in financial modeling.
• Proven business writer.
• Excellent command of the English language, verbal and written.
• Proficient with computers, Microsoft Office and Salesforce is a plus.
• Ability to work with men who are diverse in age, ethnicity and education.
• Effective leader of classes ranging from 50 to 100 participants.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Be able to qualify as a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Volunteer.
• The ability to stimulate, convey and develop professionalism to participants.
• Great teaching skills. Expertise in various business subjects (finance, marketing, etc.).
• The ability to present material enthusiastically and instill a hunger in participants.
• Servant-leader mentality.

Job Requirements

• Venus-based position with regular local travel and the flexibility to occasionally travel outside Dallas.
• Attendance to in-prison events required.
• Occasional evening and weekend events.
• Obtain TDCJ-approved volunteer status within three months of hire.

To Apply

Please email your resumé and a cover letter providing salary requirements and detailing how your previous job experience meets the requirements for this position to: hiring@pep.org. For more information on PEP, please visit www.pep.org.