Principal Manager I

Overview

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of ­­­­Principal Manager I for the Leadership Support Services office.     

The Principal Manager I provides strategic leadership and high-level management oversight for multiple specialized and politically sensitive functional areas within Judicial Council and Trial Court Leadership. The position oversees operations and staff through three supervisors: the Trial Court Leadership Supervising Analyst, the Judicial Council Support Supervising Analyst, and the Editing and Graphics Support Supervisor II. The role requires exceptional political acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate sensitive issues while aligning work products and operations with the Judicial Council’s mission and statewide goals. The Principal Manager I works with broad direction from the Director of Leadership Support Services and exercises substantial discretion and judgment in managing complex programs and staff.

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, including 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 Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is 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

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for assigned functional areas.
• Develop and implement strategies, goals, and priorities that align unit operations with Judicial Council objectives.
• Represent the Judicial Council to internal and external stakeholders including Judicial Council members, Presiding Judges, Court Executive Officers, Advisory Body chairs, and Curriculum Committee chairs.
• Attend meetings and present updates, recommendations, or proposals on behalf of the office.
• Manage and support supervisors overseeing three functional units.
• Oversee development and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures.
• Provide organization wide subject matter expertise.
• Administer budgets and oversee procurement activities.

Supervisory Duties:

• Recommends selection of staff; 
• Plans, organizes, assigns, and evaluates the work of managers, supervisors, and staff across multiple units, and provides strategic direction;
• Ensures compliance with Judicial Council policies and procedures;
• Trains staff and proposes internal and external training courses and workshops; 
• Provides for career development and planning for staff; 
• Approves time off requests;
• Reviews and approves time sheets; 
• Evaluates employee performance and conducts performance reviews; and 
• Administers discipline as required.

How To Apply

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.

Desirable Qualifications 

• Experience working with governance bodies or high-level stakeholders 

• Strong political acumen and strategic planning skills 

• Ability to navigate sensitive issues with diplomacy 

• Experience overseeing multiple supervisors in a complex environment

Other Information

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

How To Apply

This position is Open Until Filled and requires the submission of our official application, a resume and a response to the supplemental questions. To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by April 3, 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

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Questions

Supplemental Questions
To better assess each applicant’s qualifications, we will review your responses to the question below. (You may choose to submit a separate document if you encounter character limitations.)

1. The Judicial Council emphasizes public service. Describe how you have ensured your team’s work aligns with broader organizational goals or statewide priorities. What steps do you take to connect daily operations to high‑level strategic objectives?

2. Describe a time when you led a complex or politically sensitive initiative involving multiple stakeholders with differing priorities. What was the challenge, what strategies did you use to navigate sensitive dynamics, and what was the outcome?

3. This position ensures quality supervisory practices across units. What principles or tools do you use to help supervisors improve performance management, staff development, and operational consistency?