Technology Director

Who We Are:

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, advocating for strong enforcement of regulations that protect animals and appropriate regulation of industries that impact them, and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

Role Description:

As the Technology Director, you will manage and direct ALDF’s Technology operations, ensuring the department provides an efficient and effective technical support service. You will oversee technology infrastructure, security, and compliance, while also aligning technology strategies with ALDF’s strategic goals. You will lead the technology team, manage the Technology Department budget, and build relationships with vendors. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and self-starter with a hands-on approach, ready to support both the everyday needs of the organization and the broader Technology vision of the organization.

How You Will Make a Difference:

Strategic Planning and Implementation:

• Develops and implements technology strategies, policies, processes, and procedures to support ALDF’s operations, organizational needs, and strategic objectives.
• Leads technology planning initiatives in coordination with the leadership team and key stakeholders, providing leadership and direction on information technologies.
• Stays current on emerging technologies to evaluate and recommend solutions to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Communicates the Technology Department’s vision throughout the organization in a variety of forums with the aim of driving a culture of innovation and adaptability, leveraging technology to enhance communication and collaboration.
• Ensures that ALDF is poised to support a fully remote workforce to successfully meet our mission in an ever-evolving technology landscape.
• Develops and manages the Technology budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.

Infrastructure Management:

• Analyzes ALDF’s technology infrastructure and systems performance to assess operating costs, productivity levels, upgrade requirements, and other metrics and needs to meet organizational goals and priorities
• Establishes efficiency and efficacy standards, providing recommendations for improvement of Technology infrastructure.
• Oversees the maintenance and upgrades of all technology infrastructure, including networks, cloud systems, and end-user devices.
• Ensure high availability of systems, data backups, disaster recovery plans, and business continuity measures in the event of emergency situations or data loss.
• Develops and oversees the security of all systems, networks, and enterprise information.
• Manages the organization’s e-discovery and legal technology systems, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
• Manages and supports legal-specific software, records repositories, and case management systems.
• Develops and maintains relationships with external vendors and service providers.

Team Leadership and Management:

• Leads, motivates, and manages the Technology team, fostering a collaborative and service-oriented culture while ensuring the smooth operation of technology systems.
• Sets performance goals, conducts performance evaluations, provides guidance and ongoing career development opportunities.
• Promotes inclusion in team management and hiring practices.

Compliance and Security:

• Ensures compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards, including data privacy laws and security regulations.
• Develops, implements, and enforces cybersecurity protocols and incident response procedures to protect ALDF’s data and systems.
• Develops and maintains risk management policies relating to information governance including those related to file intakes, file releases, file destructions, and data access requests.
• Ensures policies and procedures are followed regarding file transfer for incoming and outgoing attorneys and staff.
• Facilitates Technology security audits and investigations.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Communicates effectively with internal stakeholders and external vendors; collaborates with other departments to meet their technology needs and translate technical concepts into practical solutions.
• Provides technical support for litigation-related activities, including document management support and e-discovery.
• Provides clear documentation, user training, and support for internal technology systems, security, and tools.
• Serves as a resource to leadership and staff on how artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be responsibly and effectively leveraged to improve operational efficiency and the advancement of ALDF’s mission.
• Keeps abreast of the latest technologies and trends and evaluates their potential impact on the organization.

Requirements

We Are Looking for Candidates With:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related field; master’s degree or MBA preferred. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, 5 years of progressive experience in IT is required. In lieu of a master’s degree, 12 years of progressive responsibility is required.
• Certificates such as IGP, CIPP, or CIP preferred.
• At least 7 years of experience in the field of technology with broad knowledge of information management and protection laws, regulations, and best practices.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience developing and motivating technology teams.
• Experience in legal services, legal aid or non-profit sectors is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity, CRM and cloud platforms (esp. Microsoft 365), and legal case management systems.
• Strong strategic, project management, and organizational skills. Experience with Asana is a plus.
• Skilled in communications to all levels of the organization in writing, speaking, and presentation skills.
• Proficient in the latest technology for technology systems and management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Strong track record in system planning and implementation.
• Proven experience in managing relationships with vendors/consultants, technology teams, and internal stakeholders.
• A risk management mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• An understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• The ability to travel periodically for staff meetings and retreats (estimated 1-3 trips annually).

The application deadline for this position is August 20, 2025.

Additional information:

This is a U.S. based position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

Consistent with the organization’s mission, our offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.

We Offer Competitive Compensation with Excellent Benefits, Including:

• Starting annual salary of $153,094 for most geographic locations.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of Washington D.C., Cotati, CA, and Los Angeles, starting pay is $161,152.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of New York City and San Francisco, starting pay is $169,209.

To ensure salary equity, we do not negotiate salary outside of the published starting rate. Rate is determined by role, using set geographical factors.

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life and vision benefits (100% employer paid); Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) are also available.
• 192 hours of PTO.
• 19 paid holidays.
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment.
• 16 weeks paid parental leave.
• 401k plan with a maximum 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment.
• Alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion).

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is a core value for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.