Director of Statewide IT

Director of Statewide IT

Position Overview: The Director of Statewide IT (DSIT) reports directly to the ACLU of Southern California’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), is a member of the ACLU of Southern California (SoCal) IT team, and is responsible for the design, management, administration, and implementation of information and telecommunications systems at SoCal, ACLU California Action (Cal Action), and ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties (SDIC) (the CA ACLUs).

Under the guidance and direction of the CIO, with dotted line to the SoCal, Cal Action and SDIC Executive Directors, and in collaboration with CA ACLU teams, the DSIT provides professional, technical, and administrative leadership in establishing the direction and effectiveness of information technologies, meeting the short‑term and long‑term demands of all affiliate departments and locations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, vision, and management for affiliates in all matters related to information systems and telecommunications.
• Analyze information and technology needs from a strategic and operational perspective.
• Partner with SoCal’s IT Team and CA ACLU stakeholders to analyze business requirements, leverage existing and necessary software and services, and develop forms, processes, workflows, and automations to meet staff needs across the CA ACLUs.
• Determine priorities of information systems projects and tasks, and track their progress.
• Develop and manage annual technology‑related operational and capital budgets in collaboration with the CIO, SoCal’s Director of IT, and CA ACLU stakeholders.
• Coordinate the evaluation of specialized software applications and services—arrange demos, facilitate evaluations, and negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts, including security review and requirements.
• Engage with outside vendors/consultants in generating RFPs, bids, contracts, agreements, and other major vendor interactions related to information systems and services not provided by the MSP; work with internal and pro bono counsel to review contracts to ensure they meet ACLU standards.
• Create, manage, and maintain affiliate and statewide SharePoint-based intranets using Powell Software’s Intranet CMS software.
• Work with SoCal IT Team to plan, develop, deploy, and manage Microsoft Teams for the CA ACLUs, including private and shared collaborative spaces; assist in migrating file‑server‑based data into the Teams infrastructure.
• Develop and administer statewide and affiliate‑specific software and security training opportunities, intranet‑based reference articles, and video instruction to maximize investment in software, services, and cybersecurity.
• MSP Oversight/Management: In collaboration with the CIO and SoCal’s Director of IT, ensure the integrity, security, continual operation, and optimisation of IT services, including proper configuration and management of servers, switches, routers, firewalls, VPNs, UPSs, telecommunications hardware and software, security systems, anti‑virus/malware, internet connectivity, cloud‑based services, and network storage devices through direct engagement with MSP.
• Ensure proper software licensing, registrations, and renewals.
• Ensure development (when required), review, certification, and maintenance of backup and business continuity/disaster recovery procedures.
• Monitor help‑desk tickets to ensure timely responses and adequate solutions.
• Work with MSP, Human Resources, and Operations to ensure timely on‑boarding and off‑boarding of staff and interns.
• Manage domain name registrations and renewals, and DNS management as required.
• Maintain electronic inventory system.
• Participate in all‑staff, departmental, and IT committee meetings as requested to review strategic goals and initiatives.
• Develop technology‑related policies and procedures, including data security policies, standards, and procedures, and ensure the policies are in place and adhered to.
• Manage all online services and subscriptions not managed by the MSP.
• Manage IT‑related matters involving the CA ACLU’s public websites (accounts, DNS, hosting, etc.).
• Answer staff IT support questions via email, phone, and/or videoconference, using remote access when requested for supported software applications and services.
• Keep staff informed about important technology issues and developments, including security, malware, and potentially harmful services.
• Engage with the National ACLU organization on behalf of the CA ACLUs, participating in IT, InfoSec, and Operations group meetings, and respond to IT and InfoSec inquiries from the National ACLU.
• General system administration tasks.

Additional Responsibilities

• Keep current with the latest technologies and determine what new technology solutions and implementations will meet business and system requirements.
• Manage internal systems, including coordinated systems with individual departments; employee hire/exit processes with HR; case management systems with Legal, etc.
• Document and update installation, configuration, deployment, and maintenance procedures.
• Document common hardware and software tasks to build a knowledge base for staff and interns on the intranet.
• Provide IT training and orientations for new staff members and interns.
• Arrange for proper, environmentally sound, and secure disposal of all retired hardware and equipment in coordination with MSP and Operations.
• Process and approve invoices, check requests, etc. for IT products and services based on each CA ACLU’s protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Information

The position requires a willingness to work beyond a standard 7.5‑hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events. Work weeks exceeding 40 hours may occur.

Qualifications / Skills

• Sound understanding of computer systems, networking, security, telecommunications, databases, and storage systems.
• Solid working knowledge of all relevant technologies and security protocols.
• Expertise in Microsoft 365 technologies.
• Expertise in SharePoint design (preferred).
• Expertise in Microsoft Teams, including deployment and management.
• Expertise with content management systems, preferably with intranets, including configuration and maintenance.
• Expertise with project/task management systems, preferably Asana, including design, implementation, and maintenance.
• Expertise in SQL Server (preferred but not required).
• Experience with business analysis or programming design (preferred but not required).
• Excellent written and verbal communications, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Ability to think strategically, operationalise vision, exercise good judgment, and manage and prioritise tasks and projects. Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Team oriented.

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, information systems, computer science or related field (graduate degree a plus), or demonstrated comparable experience.
• Minimum four years’ leadership experience in technology systems, IT infrastructure, or cybersecurity.
• Minimum two years’ experience overseeing IT teams and projects.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, particularly those working in social justice (preferred).
• Certifications and continuing education (preferred but not required).

Racial Equity Competencies

• Demonstrate commitment to building or deepening understanding of racial equity, including core terms and concepts such as structural racism, white privilege, and anti‑Blackness.
• Understand how race impacts supervisory relationships, team dynamics, and organisational culture.
• Recognise personal, implicit, and unconscious bias.
• Consistently assess structural implications and racially disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions within the context of job responsibilities.
• Adhere to the organisation’s racial equity policies and procedures, including those related to hiring, retention, and promotion.
• Identify and disrupt ways in which bias plays out in work and/or team settings.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $150,000 – $180,000 based on experience and qualifications. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members and their eligible dependents; life and long‑term, short‑term disability insurance; a 401(k) plan with employer match; ample vacation and sick leave; and 22 paid holidays.