Chief Information Officer

New York, New York, United States

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Chief Information Officer in the Information Technology Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

The Information Technology (IT) department provides physical and digital technology-based services and support for more than 1,000 hybrid and remote National and affiliate staff in locations across the country ensuring the ACLU has the right technology tools and network services to meet the productivity and accessibility needs of a dynamic and diverse workforce.

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Chief Information Officer is responsible for developing and executing the organizational vision for using technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ACLU staff and programs. The CIO oversees the day-to-day operations of the Network Systems and IT Service Desk teams within the Information Technology Department and develops departmental policies, strategic plans and programs to support the ACLU’s operational and programmatic goals. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned people manager with deep networking, cloud infrastructure, and service desk experience, and have a passion for the mission of the ACLU.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

Leadership & Strategy

  • Develop and execute a forward-looking technology vision and strategy that aligns with the ACLU's mission and goals, supports digital transformation, incorporates digital accessibility as a key element, and positions the organization to be agile, secure, and resilient across national and affiliate offices
  • Lead by example in managing a team of networking and service desk staff, driving results through the use of data, direct feedback and strong accountability in a supportive and learning environment that fosters high staff engagement and professional growth
  • Lead the development of IT policies and procedures and provide guidance to National and affiliate leadership to support related strategic and operational decision making
  • Represent the IT team on cross-departmental projects, providing functional expertise and coordinating communications and work production within the IT team
  • Collaborate with organizational leaders, such as the Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Privacy Officer to evaluate organization risk related to data, information and technology, problem-solve emerging issues, and create innovative solutions that strengthen the ACLU’s practices in these areas
  • Set the bar for customer service excellence, establishing proactive engagement with stakeholders and a feedback-driven approach to continuously improve IT services and enhance user experience
  • Complete ad hoc projects as directed by the COO and/or other Senior Leaders

Information Technology Operations

  • Oversee the daily operations of IT department, ensuring the IT infrastructure, network, hardware, software, and administration of IT business tools and network solutions to meet the ACLU’s evolving and complex needs. Responsibilities occasionally include handling equipment weighing up to 30lbs
  • Lead efforts to centralize information technology services between ACLU National and its affiliates
  • Manage IT’s annual and multi-year strategic plans and operational and capital budgets for ACLU’s National office and centrally managed affiliate IT programs
  • Partner closely with the Chief Information Security Officer to develop and implement security initiatives, ensuring that IT operations and infrastructure align with security best practices, policies, and contribute to risk reduction
  • Evaluate the ACLU’s information technology portfolio; implement strategic changes to optimize performance and efficiency, increase utility and accessibility for staff, and plan for future growth and innovation
  • Develop and maintain up-to-date documentation of network and systems architecture, internal controls, and operating procedures that guide the IT department’s operations
  • Manage contracting for IT tools and services, including reviewing contracts, negotiating terms, overseeing procurement cycles, and serving as primary relationship manager; Ensure technology procured meets ACLU accessibility standards
  • Utilize data-driven metrics and analytics to assess IT service performance, inform decision-making, and continuously improve service delivery in alignment with ACLU’s policies and objectives
  • Ensure IT tools, services, resources, and training are digitally accessible and compliant with ADA and WCAG standards; develop metrics to evaluate and improve the accessibility of IT tools and services; ensure all staff have access to training and resources needed to successfully and optimally utilize technology to perform their individual and collaborative work
  • Stay current with industry best practices, technological advances, new and improved accessibility features and programs, and news related to network systems architecture and IT operation

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL 

  • Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
  • Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
  • Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

  • Proven track record of success in building and managing diverse teams, engaging in strategic decision making, developing and managing complex, cross-functional technology projects, managing vendor relationships, and managing complex budgets
  • Significant experience owning IT strategy and operations for large (500+ employees), complex, multi-site organizations
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to articulate complex issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Expertise overseeing administration of services and products, such as AWS, Azure, Microsoft Office 365, Google Cloud, Active Directory, Windows, Mac OS, Proofpoint, etc.
  • Strong Service Desk ticketing system experience (Zendesk)
  • Must be based in New York City area with availability to travel to regional locations as needed
  • Must be able to work on an on-call basis as needed to ensure availability of technology and appropriate staffing and/or vendor support at all times

COMPENSATION

The ACLU is committed to equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, there is a set salary for each role based on geographic work location. The annual salary for this position is $255,403 (Level B2), reflecting the salary of a position based in New York, NY.  Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.  
 
For details on our pay structure, please visit: https://www.aclu.org/careers/ACLU_Geographic_Pay_Structure-July_2024.pdf

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

  • Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid-time off policy
  • Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
  • Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
  • We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

 

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