Enterprise Services - Principal Manager I

Overview

The Information Technology office is accepting applications for a Principal Manager I position to join the Enterprise Services unit.

Under the direction of the Information Technology Office, Director/Chief Information Officer (CIO), this Principal Manager I position is a senior leader responsible for defining Judicial Council technology strategies and making enterprise level tactical and strategic enterprise technology decisions aligned with Judicial Branch goals. This role receives broad guidance in setting the strategic direction and is responsible for designing, planning, implementing and managing the programs and projects that support Judicial Branch Technology Strategic and Tactical plan.

This position provides management oversight of the following assigned programs:

•    Information Technology Modernization Program
•    Information Technology Project Management Office
•    Technology Committee and subcommittee services
•    Information Technology Communications
•    Artificial Intelligence and Innovations Program

The Judicial Council
The Judicial Council of California is the policy setting body for the state court system and has constitutionally conferred statewide rule-making authority. This authority includes developing, advocating for, and allocating the judicial branch budget. A majority of Council members are California state justices and judges; however, the Council also includes lawyers, legislators, and court administrators.

By enhancing its role as a leadership, knowledge, and service resource for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council’s staff organization seeks to continue to evolve as one of California’s most dynamic public service entities, focused on improving access to justice for all Californians by innovating and responding to the changing needs of the courts and the public. As a government body charged with improving the statewide administration of justice, the Judicial Council has multiple offices with diverse responsibilities relating to court policy and operations. As employees of the council, every member of staff should view and approach their work as one Judicial Council with a public service mission that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Judicial Council strives for work life balance and includes substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, we offer an excellent benefits package including pension, medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending, up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, student loan forgiveness as part of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and retirement savings plans. In San Francisco, the office is only a 7-minute walk from the downtown Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is located minutes from downtown, just north of Discovery Park.

The Judicial Council offers hybrid work arrangements for many positions. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person at the Judicial Council’s San Francisco or Sacramento office at least two days per week, based on their office leader’s direction, and reside in the areas surrounding these locations. To be eligible for Judicial Council employment and participation in the Judicial Council’s Hybrid Work Program, a prospective or current employee’s primary residence/remote work location must be in the State of California and within a 150-mile driving radius of their assigned reporting location.

Responsibilities

•    Program Management: Lead planning, development, operations and continuous improvement for the programs in the Enterprise Services Unit
•    Team & Talent Leadership: Build and maintain a high-performance team by overseeing all staff and contractor resource development, planning, succession planning, and individual and team performance.
•    Fiscal Leadership: Oversee program budgets, procurement activities, and standardized financial processes across business units.  Ensures fiscal alignment with broader IT organization priorities
•    IT Leadership and Strategic Influence: Shape and contribute to Judicial Council IT’s strategic direction as a core member of the leadership team. Participate in technology oversight, integrated project governance, and cross-unit decision making. 
•    Customer and Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as primary technology partner for internal customers. Surface priorities, build relationships, and drive collaboration across Judicial Branch entities.
•    Program Development: Lead the creation of new IT programs from concept to launch-defining mission, charters, roadmaps, service models, and resource plans.
•    Supervisory Responsibilities
 

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

•    Communicate Judicial Council Information Technology policies, procedures, and leadership direction on a weekly basis.
•    Collaborate with Judicial Branch leadership on strategic direction for technology programs and policies. 
•    Participate in Judicial branch Technology Committees, including Judicial Council Technology Committee (JCTC) and Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC), and related IT workstreams.
•    Attend Judicial Council staff meetings (i.e. JCC All Staff Meetings, JCC Management meetings, JCIT Semi-annual staff meeting, etc.)
 

Pay and Benefits

$10,475 - $15,713 per month

Please note due to statewide fiscal conditions, the posted salary range is subject to a temporary 3% reduction. In exchange for this reduction, judicial branch employees accrue an additional 5 hours of paid personal leave per month through June 30, 2027.

Some highlights of our benefits package include:
•    Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
•    14 paid holidays per calendar year
•    Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
•    1 personal holiday per year
•    Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
•    CalPERS Retirement Plan
•    401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
•    Employee Assistance Program
•    Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
•    FlexElect Program
•    Pretax Parking
•    Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
•    Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)
•    Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and six (6) years of professional analytical or managerial experience in assigned function, including, but not limited to, program analysis, development, implementation, research, and advising, including at least three (3) years of supervisory/management experience. An additional four (4) years of professional experience as noted above may substitute for the bachelor’s degree. Or, additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

OR

Master’s degree in a directly related field for the assigned discipline and three (3) years of professional-level analytical or managerial experience in assigned function, including, but not limited to, program analysis, development, implementation, research, and advising, including at least three (3) years of supervisory/management experience.

Other Information

Please note, if you are selected for hire, verification of employment authorization to work in the United States will be required.

How To Apply

This position requires the submission of our official application, responses to the supplemental questions, and a resume. To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by 5pm on June 21, 2026.

To complete the online application, please click the Apply for Job button.

The Judicial Council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation. Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human Resources at (415) 865-4260. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available by dialing 711. Once connected, provide the relay operator with the number for Human Resources: 415-865-4260.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.