The Opportunity 

Legal Aid of North Carolina is in search of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) with a desire to support its mission through innovative solutions. 

Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Legal Aid of North Carolina is an innovative, creative, progressive, and efficient civil legal service provider to the poor, working towards an inclusive justice system of equal access. All voices are valued, heard, and respected. 

This is a remarkable opportunity for a creative leader to join an outstanding organization that is leading the country in innovative ways to improve the delivery of legal services. Under the leadership of new CEO Ashley Campbell and partnering with the Chief Innovation Officer, the CTO position is a new role that will leverage technology to further Legal Aid of NC’s ability to serve the 1.7 million North Carolinians who are eligible for Legal Aid’s services. 

The CTO reports to the CEO, serves on the executive team and is responsible for leading the IT strategy and direction for the organization, providing overall technology guidance and governance. The CTO manages a team that consists of 10 information technology and data focused staff members who provide support to Legal Aid of NC’s staff of 450 who work in its 23 offices and remotely. The CTO will lead the strategy, design, development, and implementation of Legal Aid of NC’s information systems, software applications, and IT support and infrastructure systems, with an eye toward using technology and data to improve and enhance overall organizational capabilities. 

The CTO will be expected to: 

• Create an organizational information technology strategy that supports the achievement of Legal Aid of NC’s goals 
• Develop and implement an IT operational plan to ensure all systems necessary to support Legal Aid of NC’s operations and objectives are in place and continuously reviewed for potential updates and improvement; drive the execution of infrastructure and technology operations initiatives and projects to achieve the desired functionality, data access, scalability, performance, and availability goals 
• Monitor changes and advancements in technology to discover ways the organization can stay proactive in the use of technology; demonstrate technology thought leadership, introducing new concepts, products, and/or procedures as relevant 
• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify needs, evaluate alternative business solutions and strategies, and select and customize technology that improves the employee, volunteer, and client experience; optimize or replace existing technologies to address organizational and departmental challenges 
• Select and implement suitable technology platforms to streamline internal operations that improves Legal Aid of NC’s ability to communicate effectively and collect and use data efficiently; integrate multiple data sources and present data in a way that enables informed, actionable business decisions 
• Build and manage a service-oriented team, using internal and external resources as appropriate, to implement, maintain, and support Legal Aid of NC’s information technology infrastructure; quantify and manage workloads for members of the IT team 
• Establish and maintain partnerships with IT providers 
• Develop, manage, and effectively communicate the information technology plan and budget; develop business case justifications and provide the ROI for the costs, value, and risks for information technology capital investments 
• Provide leadership and oversight of IT governance including security, business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response planning 

The Ideal Candidate Profile 

Legal Aid of NC’s CTO believes that equal justice under the law is a right, not a privilege, and wants to be part of making a difference. The ideal candidate will possess myriad experience, skills, and attributes from the following: 

Experience and Training 

• Leadership experience in a technology role; executive level experience preferred 
• Track record of success leading the development and implementation of an overall technology strategy in a multi-departmental, multi-location environment 
• Proven track record of successfully developing and executing large complex projects 
• Law firm and/or nonprofit experience is a bonus 

Technology and Business Acumen 

• Comprehensive understanding of technology infrastructure components and IT policies and procedures 
• Proven ability to collaborate with others to understand and define end users’ needs and help identify solutions for those needs 
• Experience developing and monitoring key performance indicators and budgets

Strategic Leadership 

• Proven ability to anticipate opportunities, challenge the status quo, interpret data, efficiently make decisions, align others around a stated direction, and promote a culture of inquiry and learning 
• Ability to think strategically and a desire to engage in transformative innovation in delivering services 

Team Development 

• Experience developing and directing an IT team that embodies a service-oriented mindset while also promoting staff development and a healthy work environment 
• Experience representing, advocating for, and sharing the successes of a team 

General Attributes 

• A commitment to, appreciation for, understanding of, and strong belief in actualizing organizational values around diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Deep sense of ownership of individual, departmental, and organizational initiatives and success 
• High level of emotional and professional intelligence and ability to quickly build trust and develop relationships
• Flexibility and proven ability to innovate 
• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Active listening skills with the ability to discern key points 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability and willingness to travel to Legal Aid of NC’s offices throughout the state 

This position is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Only candidates who live in or are willing to move to the Triangle or an adjacent city will be considered for this position. 

About Legal Aid of NC 

In the United States equal justice under law is a right not a privilege. However, obtaining legal representation to access justice is not equal for all. If you cannot afford legal representation, you are much less likely to secure justice. 

Legal Aid of NC’s strategic vision states: Legal Aid of North Carolina is an innovative, creative, progressive, and efficient civil legal service provider to the poor, working toward an inclusive justice system of equal access. All voices are valued, heard, and respected.

With this vision Legal Aid of NC represents clients seeking protective orders, safe and affordable housing, economic stability, health care, education, and other essential services. Limited resources demand that we help those with the direst of civil legal needs—survivors of domestic violence, families facing homelessness, children, and people with income at 125% of the poverty level or below. Legal Aid of NC works strategically to educate people about their rights, offer legal advice, and represent clients in legal disputes, serving approximately 25,000 people each year.

For 20 years, Legal Aid of NC has worked tirelessly to further its mission of providing high-quality legal representation to low-income North Carolinians, facing critical legal needs. providing legal services to low-income individuals and families. It ensures that individuals in our state are treated fairly under the law. Legal Aid of NC receives over 250,000 calls annually and opens over 25,000 cases that are distributed to its 250 advocates.

Legal Aid of NC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, or any basis prohibited by law. 

(Read more about Legal Aid of NC’s Innovation lab at https://iaals.du.edu/blog/innovation-labs-provide-space-access-justice-solutions) 

Want to know more? Visit Legal Aid of NC’s website at www.legalaidnc.org.

Do you have what it takes to be Legal Aid of NC’s Chief Technology Officer? 

To apply, click on the link to the Chief Technology Officer – Legal Aid of NC position profile at ArmstrongMcGuire.com/jobs. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact [email protected]. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites. 

Compensation is based on regional nonprofit, public interest salaries. Legal Aid of NC provides excellent health, retirement, disability, and leave benefits. Employee medical, vision, dental, and life insurance premiums are covered at 100% by the employer. Discretionary 401(k) contributions with no match required after meeting the eligibility criteria. Paid leave includes 1.75 days per month (21 leave days in the first two years; 30 days in subsequent years), 12 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and other paid leave. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and mandatory bar dues provided for NC licensed attorneys. 

Legal Aid of North Carolina is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All are welcome to apply. Selection will be based on relevant qualifications and will be made without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, genetic information, disability, marital status, familial status, service in the military or any other legally protected category. We thrive when we are diverse and inclusive therefore, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organizational culture and hiring. We highly encourage candidates with lived experience, in the communities that we serve, to apply.