Assistant Executive Officer

Superior-Court-of-California,-County-of-Santa-Clar; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision plans

CalPERS retirement system

Paid holidays and personal leave

Job summary

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara is seeking an Assistant Executive Officer to lead and coordinate courtwide operations and strategic initiatives. You will interpret data to drive long-range plans, mentor management staff, and foster collaboration among judicial officers, court employees, and external partners to ensure high-quality public service.

The role requires strong oversight of calendar and jury management, budgetary stewardship, and compliance with applicable laws.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a court or justice-system environment, including executive-level roles.
• 2–3 years of experience within organizations with staff represented by bargaining units.
• Extensive knowledge of Superior Court functions, California judicial branch governance, and court-county relationships.

Responsibilities

• Oversees non-judicial operations, develops and administers courtwide policies and services.
• Directs, oversees, and evaluates major non-judicial court operations, programs, and administrative functions.
• Leads multidisciplinary teams delivering services across courthouse locations.
• Interprets data to implement courtwide strategies and ensures high-quality services.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Change management

Team development

Relationship management

Project management

Fiscal strategy

Compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in court administration/public or business administration/criminal justice

Master’s degree preferred

Certified Court Manager

Certified Court Executive preferred

Job description

Working in partnership with and reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) oversees, directs, and participates in non-judicial operations, including short- and long-term planning as well as developing and administering Courtwide policies, procedures, and services. The AEO interprets data to implement Courtwide strategies, provides leadership to management staff, fosters cooperative working relationships among judicial officers, court employees, outside agencies, and the public, and ensures the delivery of high-quality services that support the Court’s mission and the administration of justice.

Key Leadership Responsibilities

Courtwide Operations & Administrative Leadership

• Applies principles and practices of administration and operations in support of all case types, personnel recruitment, retention and management, labor relations, technology systems, trial court financial practices, facilities management, court security, and court-community relations.
• Administers principles and practices of calendar management, jury management and other court management practices.
• Directs, oversees, and evaluates major non-judicial court operations, programs, and administrative functions, including developing, reviewing, and processing information for a variety of operational and federal/state mandated reports and records.
• Leads multi-disciplinary teams and managers responsible for delivering reliable, efficient services across all courthouse locations and case types.

• Ensures operational excellence through continuous improvement, metrics, and performance accountability.

Strategic Planning & Organizational Development

• Partners with the CEO to interpret data to develop and execute long-range strategies aligned with judicial priorities, statewide initiatives, and emerging operational needs.
• Drives organizational change, modernization, and process innovation across the Court while developing and motivating court operations personnel.

Judicial & Cross-Agency Collaboration

• Serves as a senior liaison with judicial officers, justice-system partners, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Supports judges and commissioners by coordinating committees and working groups.
• Builds strong, collaborative relationships that strengthen Court operations and trust with employee representatives and the community.

Fiscal & Resource Stewardship

• Assists the CEO with budget development, resource allocation, and fiscal practices that ensure responsible and transparent management of public funds.
• Assists the CEO with implementation of budget strategies that support operational sustainability and long-term facility planning.

Risk, Policy, & Compliance Leadership

• Evaluates legislative, regulatory, and judicial branch changes; assists General Counsel in implementation of policy responses.
• Ensures non-judicial operations comply with all applicable laws, rules of court, and statewide administrative requirements.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in court administration, public or business administration, criminal justice, or a related field. (Master’s degree preferred.)

Certified Court Manager and/or Certified Court Executive highly preferred.

Experience

• 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a court or justice-system environment, including executive-level roles.
• 2-3 years of experience within organizations with staff represented by bargaining units.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations, manage senior managers, and execute strategic initiatives.
• Extensive knowledge of Superior Court functions, California judicial branch governance, and court-county relationships.

Executive Competencies

• Strategic and systems-level thinking
• Executive communication and collaboration
• Change management and innovation leadership
• Workforce culture and team development
• High-level judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making
• Relationship management and stakeholder diplomacy
• Program and project management
• Fiscal strategy, planning, and compliance

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a professional office and courthouse environment, requiring frequent engagement with judicial officers, staff, justice-system partners, and the public. The role requires managing competing priorities, handling sensitive issues, and operating within fast-paced, high-pressure settings typical of a large urban court system.

Physical Demands

Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis;

Ability to listen to verbal requests from the public and court staff, then respond appropriately;

Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper, occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 10 lbs, such as files, stacks of paper, reference books, and other materials;

Frequent need to reach for items above and below desk level, sometimes with the assistance of a ladder or step-stool;

Standing and sitting for long periods of time is periodically required.

Application Requirements

This recruitment requires the submission of an on-line application. No paper applications will be accepted. An electronic copy of your resume and responses to the supplemental questions must completed.

The Court is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

The Court provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you are disabled as defined by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act or the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and will be requesting an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or call [phone], to discuss your request. TDD communication is available by calling [phone].

The Court must verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees to comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform & Control Act. This verification is required only after an offer of employment has been made. For further information regarding the required verification, please contact Human Resources at [phone].

Benefits

• The Court offered benefits package includes a choice of health, dental and vision plan, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) as permitted by law, life insurance, paid holidays, and personal leave.