The State Bar of California
is pleased to announce a search for its first
Chief
Information
Ocer
A Transformational Opportunity For A Proven Leader
The State Bar of California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, astute leader and change
agent t
o become the State Bar’s first Chief Information Officer. The CIO will oversee all
Information Technology (IT) functions and will be responsible for implementing the State
Bar’s strategic vision as part of the Leadership Team. The CIO will report directly to the
Executive Director. This new, elevated role within the State Bar underscores the organization’s
recognition of the IT function as crucial to fulfilling its mission.
ensures proper technology standards and processes are established
and followed, establishes and maintains superior data security and
privacy standards, establishes and monitors service level measures
and targets for all technology related support activities, provides
leadership oversight for critical projects, and maintains relationships
with the State Bar community and other agencies as appropriate.
Finally, the State Bar’s first CIO will be a change agent who can
quickly and effectively reshape the vision for and delivery of the
State Bar’s IT function.
Responsibilities include:
Responsibilities include providing visionary leadership in the
delivery of IT services in an efficient and cost-effective manner, to
support the State Bar’s strategic goals and objectives; building and
sustaining a talented IT team comprised of both staff and contract
personnel; safeguarding information systems and network against
emerging threats, thereby maintaining the highest standards of data
security and privacy; spearheading innovation by identifying and
integrating new technologies; budget and vendor management;
and active participation on the State Bar’s Leadership Team. The
full job description, including all duties and responsibilities can be
found here.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with extensive experience
in transformational change, particularly in revamping IT functions
within public sector or unionized environments. The CIO will not
only be technically proficient, inspiring confidence in staff and
clients, but will also be adept at managing hybrid staffing with
both outsourced and in-house functions. Far from maintaining
the status quo, this dynamic leader will be a creative and effective
change agent, approaching challenges with curiosity and innovative
solutions. As a member of the Leadership Team, the CIO will think
beyond just the IT Division, making calibrated decisions for the
organization’s overall benefit. The CIO will be an inspiring leader
who listens attentively, avoids territoriality, and builds an effective,
dynamic team with fairness and courage, fostering an open,
collaborative culture.
THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
The Information Technology (IT) Division serves as the organization’s
digital backbone, responsible for designing, implementing, and
maintaining all technology-related operations. In addition to
managing the applications, infrastructure, data security, and
desktop support functions common to many IT offices, the
Stat
e Bar’s IT Division is expected to play a key role in digital
transformation initiatives and integrating emerging technologies
to drive innovation. By aligning technology with the State Bar’s
strategic goals, the IT Division enables operational efficiency, fosters
collaboration, and supports data-driven decision-making across the
organization.
THE POSITION
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides leadership and
direction in the development, implementation, operation, and
maintenance of State Bar information systems, computer services,
network communications, and management information services
to accomplish strategic goals. The CIO is a member of the State Bar
Leadership Team and as such is responsible for shared decision-
making on key issues impacting the organization overall. The
CIO establishes and drives the State Bar IT planning, policies, and
programs; recommends and oversees technology initiatives aligned
with advancement of organizational priorities and objectives;
and provides oversight for the operation and maintenance of the
technology infrastructure and applications. Additionally, the CIO
THE STATE BAR’S MISSION
The State Bar’s mission is to protect the public and includes
the primary functions of licensing, regulation, and
discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical
and competent practice of law; and support of eorts for
greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system. To
learn more about how the State Bar executes its mission,
click here to review the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.
Minimum Qualifications:
➤ Possession of a bachelor’s degree in information technology,
computer science, or a related field, and 10 years of information
technology experience including senior-level management
responsibilities, strategic planning, and execution.
➤ A master’s degree in information technology, computer science,
or a related field may substitute for one year of the required
experience.
➤ A PhD in information technology, computer science, or a related
field may substitute for two years of the required experience.
➤ Proven experience as CIO or similar executive leadership role for
IT.
➤ Experience developing and leading an IT Strategy and
Transformation roadmap.
➤ Demonstrated evidence of aligning IT in a collaborative model to
support business outcomes.
➤ Excellent knowledge of IT systems, applications, capabilities, and
infrastructure and how they support business capabilities and
outcomes.
➤ Background in designing/developing IT systems and planning IT
development and implementations.
➤ Solid understanding of data analysis, budgeting, and IT business
operations.
➤ Superior analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
➤ A strong strategic and business outcome focused mindset.
➤ Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to make
informed decisions and optimize systems performance.
➤ Exceptional leadership and communication skills with the ability
to collaborate effectively across teams.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The annual salary range for the CIO role is $235,526 - $353,014;
placement within this range is dependent upon qualifications.
The State Bar also oers an attractive benets package
including:
➤ General Hybrid Work Schedule: For this and most State Bar
roles, we are only in the office one day per week!
➤ Medical: The California Public Employees’ Retirement System
(CalPERS) administers health insurance coverage for employees
and dependents. Employees can choose from a broad range of
health insurance plans. The State Bar pays 80 percent of the plan
premium.
➤ Dental: Two dental plans are offered through Delta Dental
for employees and dependents, one prepaid plan and one
indemnity plan. The State Bar pays 80 percent of the plan
premium.
➤ Vision: Offered through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees
and dependents at a nominal cost.
➤ Paid Child Bonding Leave: Eligible employees may receive up
to 160 hours of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care
placement of a child, including being unable to work due to
pregnancy or childbirth.
➤ Flexible Spending Account: Flexible Spending Accounts may
be used to pay for certain qualifying health care and dependent
care expenses with pretax dollars and can reduce your out-of-
pocket expenses.
➤ Life insurance: All employees receive fully paid life insurance at
two times their annual salary at no extra cost.
➤ Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance: All
employees receive fully paid AD&D insurance at two times their
annual salary at no cost.”
➤ Long-term disability benets: One of two long-term disability
plans are offered to employees depending on their assignment.
These plans offer a monthly benefit for nonwork-related
accidents or illnesses.
➤ Voluntary accident insurance: Employees can enroll in accident
insurance which pays benefits for specific (nonwork-related)
injuries and events resulting from a covered accident.
➤ Voluntary critical illness insurance: Employees can enroll
in critical illness insurance which pays a lump-sum benefit if
diagnosed with a covered illness or disease.
➤ Hospital indemnity insurance: Employees can enroll in hospital
indemnity insurance which pays a daily benefit for a covered stay
in a hospital, critical care unit, or rehabilitation facility.
➤ Prepaid legal plan: Employees can enroll in one of two prepaid
legal plans which cover a variety of legal matters.
➤ Pension plan: Employees become members of the California
Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and can retire
as early as age 52 with five years of service credit in most cases.
Existing CalPERS members or members of a reciprocal California
public retirement system, who meet certain criteria, may be
eligible to retain their classic membership and can retire as early
as age 50 with five years of service credit.
➤ 457 Deferred Compensation Plan: Employees may enroll in
a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. The Fidelity 457 plan offers
a range of investment options that best suit your goals, time
horizon, and risk tolerance.
➤ Retirement benets: Employees who retire from the State Bar
and meet specific criteria, are eligible to participate in retiree
medical and vision benefits.
Preferred Qualifications:
For paid leave, expect to:
➤ Celebrate 15 paid holidays per year
➤ Begin with 15 vacation days; 20 vacation days after 10 years of
service; and 25 vacation days after 15 years of service
➤ Begin with two personal days; four personal days after five years
of service; and six personal days after 10 years of service
➤ Accrue sick leave at the rate of 10 days per year
➤ Receive paid leave for child bonding if eligible
More Benets:
➤ Monthly internet/telephone subsidy
➤ Annual home oce subsidy
➤ Transportation subsidies
➤ Pretax commuter expense
➤ College Cost Reduction Access Act of 2007 (Loan Forgiveness)
➤ Leave Bank Program
➤ Voluntary Leave Transfer Program
➤ Flexible work schedule/location
➤ Employee Assistance Program
➤ Pet insurance
➤ Employee discount program
BUDGET & STAFF
The State Bar’s 2024 budget projects total estimated revenue of
$429 million and total expenses of $401 million. The State Bar
receives most of its revenue from mandatory fees, which include
attorney licensing fees. Additional revenue comes from various
service fees. The State Bar is not part of the traditional State budget
process, but the majority of its funding is dependent on annual
licensing fee legislation. The 2024 budget funds nearly 672 full-time
equivalent positions. The majority of employees are represented by
Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 1000. Staff is
divided between the State Bar’s offices in downtown San Francisco
and downtown Los Angeles. For further information about the State
Bar of California, see its website at: www.calbar.org. The 2024 IT
Division budget is $17.8 million with a full-time staff of 38 in addition
to numerous contractors. You can review the State Bar’s budget
here.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The final filing date is July 19, 2024. To be considered, please
submit a resume, cover letter and five work-related references (who
will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to:
https://koffassociates.com/state-bar-cio/. Resumes should
reflect years and months of positions held as well as size of past
organization(s).
For additional information please contact:
Pete Smith, Senior Recruiter
510.342.3233
Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this
brochure. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be
given preliminary interviews by the consultant. Koff & Associates will
report the results to the State Bar. The Bar will then select candidates
to participate in panel interviews. Extensive reference and
background checks will be completed on the selected candidate.
Click here for a link to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page!
