Court Administrator - General Sessions Court

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County seeks a Court Administrator to lead the General Sessions Court's administrative functions, planning and supervising the court business office, and coordinating with judges and external partners.

The role requires advanced education and substantial management experience in a complex government environment, with a focus on budgeting, operations, and policy implementation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field with six years of progressive leadership experience.
• Experience in personnel, programs, operations, or organizational functions at a management level.
• Foreign accreditations encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Oversee budget, personnel, payroll, security, IT, and admin operations; develop annual report and manage Court Administration staff.
• Advise Presiding Judge on operational matters; ensure delegation, supervision, and accountability.
• Communicate with judges, departments, agencies, and the public to address priorities.

Skills

Public administration

Leadership

Budget management

Communication

Education

Master's degree in related field

Job description

The Court Administrator is a Non-Civil service position whom performs managerial and administrative duties to assist the General Sessions Court judges overseeing the daily operation of the court as defined in Section 14.19 of the Metropolitan Charter, which includes planning , directing and supervising activities of the court business office, and acting as liaison with judges, General Sessions departments, courts, government agencies, the Bar Association, Administrative Office of the Courts and the public.

• Oversees the Court's budget, personnel, payroll, security, information technology, and administrative operations; developing the annual report; actively manages the work of Court Administration; ensures appropriate delegation, supervision, performance management, and accountability of staff; and regularly advises the Presiding Judge regarding operational matters.
• Proactively identifies operational needs and potential challenges, develops and implements appropriate solutions, and ensures timely follow-through on projects, assignments, deadlines, and other Court priorities.
• Maintains regular and proactive communication with all General Sessions Judges and department programs to identify and address the operational needs, priorities, and concerns of each division and of the Court as a whole.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Judicial Administration, Political Science, Political Management, Organizational Leadership, Management, Law, or another closely related field and Six (6) years of increasingly responsible administrative, management, executive, or organizational leadership experience, including at least three (3) years of substantial management experience involving responsibility for personnel, programs, operations, or organizational functions.

***Additional experience may be considered in lieu of education, and vice versa. (1:1 Ratio)***

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a complex organizational environment, including collaboration with senior leadership, elected officials, governmental agencies, external partners, or other key stakeholders.
• Prior experience working within Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County government and demonstrated familiarity with Metro government operations and key governmental and justice-system partners is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in executive leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning.
• Strong government-relations experience and demonstrated ability to work effectively with elected officials, governmental agencies, legislative bodies, and other key stakeholders.
• Works with the Presiding Judge and Chief Financial Officer on the preparation of the annual budget to the Office of Management and Budget including the Metro Council, as well as responsible for working with the Presiding Judge to generate an Annual General Sessions Court Report.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, organizational problem solving, and process improvement.
• Demonstrated experience in organizational budgeting, fiscal management, resource development, and strategic advocacy.
• Strong personnel-management experience, including performance management, employee accountability, and performance evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully serve and communicate with multiple executives, elected officials, or organizational principals with differing priorities.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change and implementing new programs, policies, or systems.
• Experience using data and technology to improve organizational operations and decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to effective and accessible public service.
• Strong professional writing skills, including experience drafting executive, legal, governmental, policy, or comparable official documents.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Metro Nashville is committed to selecting the most qualified candidate for each of our roles.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to General Sessions Court at 615-862-5199.