Senior Director, Information Technology

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative–to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, policy advocacy, organizing, and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system.

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

As of March 7, 2022, LDF transitioned to a hybrid work environment. Any candidate selected for this position should be prepared to work in the office location assigned at least two days per week.

 The Senior Director, Information Technology (“Director”) serves as the principal technology leader for the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) providing the vision and leadership for developing and implementing information technology strategies and initiatives organization wide. The Director is responsible for anticipating and maintaining a vision for the future technology needs of LDF, and for recommending strategies, priorities, and projects that will best achieve the LDF’s strategic goals and objectives. The Director oversees LDF’s IT department and staff, stays abreast of emerging technologies as well as innovative trends that can improve the IT department’s performance and best protect LDF’s data. The Director ensures that the IT department’s strategies and processes provide appropriate support to LDF-wide goals, while creating and implementing IT policies, protocols, and standards. The Director also develops and maintains the IT department’s budget and oversees contract negotiations with IT vendors, contractors, and service providers.

Responsibilities may include:

1. Strategic Planning and Vision for Information Technology Services

• Lead the development of a strategic direction and vision for information technology services; gauge and anticipate the diverse needs of the LDF’s attorneys and staff; monitor trends and innovations in the industry to meet those needs; develop and implement strategic short and long-term technology plans; and make actionable recommendations to LDF management and stakeholders.
• Serve as an active member of the LDF’s Strategic Planning and Technology & Innovation Committees; implement and coordinate a Strategic Information Technology Plan that complements LDF’s overall strategic goals.
• Work collaboratively with LDF’s chiefs and department leaders to develop and implement appropriate systems and procedures; work effectively with the attorneys, members of the management team, and staff, to keep them appropriately informed.
• Advise, counsel, and educate management on technology’s competitive or financial impact.

2. Planning and Project Management

• Prepare and implement an annual business plan and budget for the IT department.
• Formulate policies and procedures that will assist employees in utilization of new technology and systems and submit for approval.
• Manage projects to meet agreed upon schedules and provide frequent project status reports; create and maintain project budgets.
• Proactively review and update Fund policies that intersect with technology and suggest revisions or additions.
• Implement the Fund’s technology policies in a fair and consistent manner.
• Meet regularly with Fund leadership across all departments for feedback on ongoing information technology initiatives.
• Partner with operations’ leaders in providing ongoing training on IT technology and services; develop communication and roll out plans to staff.

3. Management of IT Staff
   • Develop and organize technology talent and a department organizational structure that is designed to meet LDF’s current and future needs and demands.
   • Establish IT department goals, objectives, and operating procedures.
   • Provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to IT department staff, including Litigation Support, with the goal of providing the highest standards of customer service to LDF.
   • Promote a working environment that fosters excellence, productivity, and high morale.
   • Ensure full-workweek, in-person coverage of IT across all offices
   • Manage IT department annual performance appraisal process including development planning conversations to completion.
   • Conduct regular meetings with direct reports and departmental staff as appropriate.
   • Coordinate personnel issues with the Employee Relations Manager.

4. Information Security

• Ensure IT data security, risk management, disaster recovery and business continuity planning processes are in place and receive regular review for currency and adequacy, including system upgrades, maintenance, and back-ups.
• Develop, update, and implement emergency response and recovery plans.
• Proactively review ongoing network operations and demands to appropriately plan for LDF’s future

5. Data Governance

• Lead data governance initiatives, including: enterprise data mapping; establishment of systems of record; implementation of data classification framework; normalization of complex and disparate pools of data across the enterprise.
• Develop and maintain governance policies and procedures related to LDF’s mission and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a liaison between business and IT functions, fostering the development of a spirit of governance and stewardship.
• Incorporate data governance concepts into trainings; demonstrate the benefits of adopting effective data governance through presentations and similar opportunities.

6. Financial and Asset Management

• Exercise diligent evaluation and careful budgetary management, including budget preparation.
• Assess and identify cost effective investment of financial resources toward IT systems, staffing, daily operations and product purchases.
• Purchase software, hardware, supplies, and services in compliance with LDF’s budget and purchasing process.
• Maintain appropriate physical asset inventories of LDF’s hardware and software.
• Maintain strong vendor relationships and manage contract and service agreements.

7. Telecommunications

• Ensure that LDF’s telecommunications functions operate continuously, including implementation of preventative maintenance, software and hardware updates, and examination of opportunities to increase productivity.
• Work with telecom vendors or contractors to ensure system functionality meets the highest standards for LDF.

8. End-User Support

• Direct the development and delivery of training programs and resources for end users.
• Ensure that the Help Desk is responsive to the needs of end users and provides exceptional customer service.
• Solicit feedback from end users regarding their needs for new programs, training, and enhanced services.
• Conduct regular surveys of LDF personnel to collect feedback on performance of Help Desk, network operations, and future demands of the Fund

Qualifications include:

• 3+ years of experience as Director or similar role, or demonstrated, progressive career path toward director level
• Bachelor’s Degree in a technology-related area, Business Administration, or other field of study with significant relevant IT work experience
• Experience in all aspects of information technology planning, development, and implementation, including but not limited to resource planning, development, systems architecture, telecommunications, database administration, web and social media development and security and compliance issues.
• Skilled at strategic planning, goal setting and analyzing and resolving complex issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all Fund employees.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with an attention to detail.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating with vendors, contractors, and others.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• High energy level, enjoyment of challenges and a fast-paced environment, and a record of self-motivation and personal initiative.

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts or requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

Please note that LDF requires all employees to be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accordingly, successful candidates must be fully vaccinated, including the booster shot against COVID-19, and submit proof of vaccination prior to the commencement of employment unless they qualify for a reasonable accommodation for bona fide medical or religious reasons.

LDF offers a rich platform of benefits including medical (Empire), dental (Cigna), vision (NVA), flexible spending accounts (Flex Facts), transit/commuter plan, life insurance, AD&D, voluntary life & AD&D (UNUM), AFLAC, Employee Assistance Plan, and Health Advocate.  As well as the many healthcare benefits, LDF offers a 403b plan with employer match, and a robust vacation, sick, and personal time program to ensure employees have a health work-life balance.

This position is open until filled.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to:

jobs@naacpldf.org

If submitting via email, please include your name (last name, first name) in the email subject line.

Or

Human Resources Department

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

40 Rector Street, 5th floor

New York, New York 10006

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The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.  is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.