Chief Administrative Officer

About the Job:

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is Indiana’s State Court Administrator and serves as the link between the Supreme Court of Indiana and its Office of Judicial Administration (OJA). The CAO works with the Chief Justice to set the strategic administrative direction for the Court, OJA, and Indiana’s judicial branch and legal profession.  The CAO is responsible for ensuring OJA operations are aligned with and support the Court’s three constitutional duties: to decide cases as Indiana’s court of last resort; to ensure the administration of justice in Indiana’s trial courts; and to regulate the practice and profession of law in Indiana.  

The CAO embodies and promotes an innovative, professional, and respectful culture within OJA.  The CAO works with the OJA management team to ensure the agency maintains consistent policies, communicates effectively, and is fiscally responsible.  The CAO serves as a liaison to various state and national advisory working groups and committees of judges, practitioners, administrators, and stakeholders that recommend or make changes to justice system policies, business practices, and service delivery.

A Day in the Life:

1. Support the Court in discharging its constitutional duties
2. Provide the Chief Justice and the Court with information, analysis, advice, and recommendations on issues impacting the state and national court systems and the legal profession, including the Court’s and OJA’s administrative and business policies
3. Coordinate the Court’s administrative decision-making cycle to ensure effective and timely action in its internal policymaking and business administration roles
4. Serve as a point of contact for Indiana’s bench and Bar on emerging issues and concerns
5. Lead a cohesive and proactive management team that works collaboratively across functions to guide the operations of the Court and OJA
6. Oversee and facilitate the operations of OJA, including its subordinate agencies and more than 200 employees and contractors
7. Serve as a legislative liaison for the Chief Justice and Court, which include working with the Indiana Judges Association, ensuring legislative policymakers have ready access to necessary court data, and providing staff and expert review and feedback on legislative proposals
8. Provide oversight and direction to the Court’s CFO on the Court’s budget, including working with the Chief Justice and CFO on the Court’s biennial budget requests to the General Assembly
9. Represent the Court and OJA on state and national entities, including the Conference of State Court Administrators, Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana, Board of Trustees of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Indiana Interstate Compact State Council, Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council, various committees of the Judicial Conference of Indiana and the Court, and other external groups as directed by the Chief Justice 
10. Directly supervise senior managers and the executive coordinator
11. Perform other duties as assigned or required

What You'll Need for Success:

Minimum job requirements include:

• Extensive experience in organizational leadership, management, administrative policymaking, program oversight, and senior staff supervision
• A Juris Doctorate or a master’s degree in business administration, judicial administration, public administration, or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field coupled with significant experience
• Thorough knowledge of Indiana’s court system, state government, and legal profession

Integrity

• Exercise strict confidentiality in handling sensitive information and materials
• Maintain personal and business affairs in a manner that ensures public confidence in the integrity, competence, impartiality, and independence of the judiciary 
• Avoid situations that could create a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest
• Abide by the Judicial Code of Conduct and the Employee Handbook

Professionalism

• Interact with all people in a respectful manner, maintain a professional appearance, and promote harmony in the workplace
• Interact with executive branch agencies, federal agencies, and judicial officers in a manner that promotes confidence and respect in OJA

Communication

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully as appropriate for the needs of the audience

Organization

• Proven ability to succeed in an environment of rapidly changing priorities
• Effectively manage time and prioritize multiple tasks and initiatives
• Experience overseeing the planning and execution of complex and long-term projects

Leadership

• Excellent interpersonal skills: motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job
• Proven ability to facilitate collaboration and build consensus among professionals from diverse backgrounds

Problem Solving/Critical Thinking

• Advanced problem-solving capabilities, including analyzing complex situations and developing strategic solutions
• Proven ability to remain calm under pressure and manage organizational responses to crisis
• Exemplary judgment 

Technology and Tool Usage

• Learn and adapt to new technologies within the Microsoft Suite and Court systems

Work Relationships:

This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Justice of Indiana and works closely with senior leaders across all three branches of Indiana government, national counterparts, and the professional staff of the Court and OJA. Professional conduct is required at all times.