Solutions Architect

The Bronx Defenders (BxD)—an innovative, progressive, holistic defense office in the South Bronx—seeks a Solutions Architect to join the Information Technology (IT) Team.

Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement.

Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences.

Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change.

We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders. We run two legal clinics at NYC law schools and train public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation.

Overview

The Solutions Architect is a critical role in the IT Team, tasked with designing, building, implementing and evolving internal BxD user management systems. Bridging the gap between business requirements and current and future technical capabilities, the successful candidate will assess BxD’s business and technology landscape and collaborate with internal teams to create and implement the overall technical plan. Demonstrating a mix of systems architecture and engineering, the Solutions Architect brings a vision and record of success identifying businesses needs as well as recommending and implementing technology solutions to meet these needs.

Responsibilities

• Apply technical expertise to evaluate and prioritize BxD’s current projects to determine new functionalities, tools, resources and processes
• Identify opportunities to leverage automation, AI, LLMs and self-service tools to enhance implementations as well as empower internal teams
• Engage with internal teams, leading key implementations and projects: scoping, building roadmaps, resource planning and problem solving
• Build productive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders demonstrating high level skills in conceptualizing, building as well as implementing solutions

Qualifications

• At least seven (7) years’ experience leading complex projects implementing technical solutions; from inception to scaling in an organization experiencing major changes in technology infrastructure
• Minimum 2 years in a leadership role with demonstrated success collaborating with internal and external, cross functional teams
• Expertise designing and implementing comprehensive technical solutions in high growth environments
• Strong advisory capabilities, as demonstrated by quickly building trust, instilling confidence to drive implementations and process improvements across multiple business groups
• Success leading change management; empowering teams through training, trouble shooting and efficient problem solving
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills to clarify roles, streamline internal processes, minimize escalations, and create strong internal and external partnerships
• Ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, and connect with people with various identities, backgrounds, and experiences
• Proficient knowledge of SQL and BI Platforms.
• Excellent organization skills as well as meticulous attention to detail 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

The following qualifications are preferred, but not required:

• Experience in non- profit, academic or healthcare environment
• Experience with unionized employees

To cultivate the deep subject matter knowledge, strong interpersonal relationships and collaborative approach that are critical to the position’s success, it is essential that the candidate be able to participate in-person and onsite in both internal and external meetings and events. This position has an onsite requirement of in office, 5 days per week.

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit.  

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $160,000 annually. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy.

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family, and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we serve.