Program Systems Director, Civil - New York, NY

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The Program Systems Director, Civil is a strategic leadership role responsible for strengthening, integrating and advancing the technology systems, data infrastructure and reporting capabilities of the Civil Practice. This position serves as the primary bridge between the Civil Practice and the IT and Operations teams to ensure that systems, databases, and digital tools effectively support our operational efficiency, compliance and data informed projects. The Program Systems Director will lead system implementation efforts, including but not limited to the transition to a new case management system for the Civil Practice. Working collaboratively across departments, this person will align tech solutions with practice needs, staff workflows, and organizational priorities. Using complex technical concepts, it will be essential to create user-centered solutions, support the ethical and responsible use of technology such as AI, and develop dashboards and reports that serve the Civil Practice and its constituents. By strengthening systems, improving reporting and fostering cross-departmental collaboration, the Program Systems Director plays a critical role in ensuring that the Civil Practice operates efficiently, transparently, and in alignment with the organization's mission and long-term strategy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting IT Systems and Reporting Across the Civil Practice

• Evaluate technology needs across the Civil Practice and work closely with IT and Operations to identify and implement solutions that address the needs and objectives of the Civil Practice and its departments, in alignment with LAS' overall IT strategy
• Lead the Civil Operations and Administration team's work to implement, adapt, and strengthen internal workstreams related to existing and new systems, databases, and various reporting requirements

related to the Civil Practice's systems, databases, and reporting requirements

• Serve as the primary point within the Civil Practice on the transition to a new case management system, working directly with IT on development and implementation as it relates to the Civil Practice
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between the Civil Practice and IT, bridging technical conversations with the needs or questions of end users
• Work closely with IT and the General Counsel's office on a comprehensive AI usage policy and best practices that address the Civil Practice's use of AI
• Support technology development and implementation associated with Civil's intake systems, including the use of AI to support the Helplines and associated projects
• Co-supervise with IT the AI architect and AI engineers working on AI Helpline project
• Responsible for updating and maintaining online resources related to the Civil Practice's systems, including Sharepoint and other internal resources
• Create dashboards, charts, and reports using tools like Powerbi and Excel to report on or summarize data, including translating complex datasets or information into clear, actionable recommendations or takeaways
• Work with Civil Grants & Contracts team to ensure that all contractual IT related needs are met and costs are allocated correctly

Leading Cross Functional Work Across Civil

• Lead cross-functional initiatives across Civil teams, aligning engineering, technology, and operational objectives
• Partner with Attorney-in-Chief, Civil and Civil AICs to assess, prioritize, and modernize the practice's technology ecosystem
• Collaborate with IT and technology engineers to design, enhance, and scale digital systems and platforms
• Support with building out a small team to support this growing work across the Civil Practice over the coming years

Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned

• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and at least six years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education and relevant work experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including using basic formulas, functions, pivot tables, and data analysis
• Ability to lean, organize, and interpret data for reporting purposes
• Experience working with various systems and implementing IT-related projects
• Experience managing complex cross-functional projects and balancing a diverse group of stakeholders

Preferred qualifications:

• D. is strongly preferred
• Proficiency with data visualization tools (e.g., Microsoft Power BI, Tableau)
• Experience and knowledge in one or more substantive areas of law including but not limited to housing, immigration, employment, foreclosure, and community development is strongly preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to efficiently and effectively use excel or other data analysis platforms
• Flexibility, patience, and the ability to work productively in a team environment and independently, and the willingness to meet unexpected demands with a positive attitude
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment and prioritize a multi-faceted workload under strict deadlines
• Excellent judgment and project-oriented skills
• Ability to meet and manage multiple deadlines, and multi-task

Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to The Legal Aid Society's mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Commitment to The Legal Aid Society's mission and values

Physical, environment, travel, and other duties required:

• Mostly sedentary, significant time using a computer and monitor; communicating and meeting using video
• Requires occasional physical movement to perform essential job functions which may include, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, standing or walking for long periods of time, accessing small spaces
• May require travel within NYC, across the five-borough region

* For positions noted as essential, this will require either remote or in-person work during times of closure or otherwise non-typical business hours which may include evenings and weekends and during unforeseen events such as inclement weather or poor air quality conditions.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $161,000 - $171,000

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.

Manhattan - Civil Practice Lower Manhattan Neighborhood Office