Job Details

Salary: $145,600.00 - $190,000.00 Annually
Location : Remote Work Eligible
Job Type: Full Time Regular
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number: 201300347
Group: Programs
Team: Court Operations & Governance
Opening Date: 02/03/2026
Closing Date: 2/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Summary
Who We Are

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) is a community of dedicated researchers, consultants, educators, and former practitioners who drive innovation and advancement in courts and justice systems. NCSC's reputation for trusted leadership allows us to work alongside top judicial officers to examine some of the most complex and significant issues facing society. Our team of experts and court leaders are deeply committed to advancing just, free, and safe communities. To learn more about NCSC, visit NCSC.org

NCSC is reorganizing to better serve the court community. As part of this process, we are seeking talented individuals to serve as directors for five distinct teams inside our Programs group. One of these teams is the Court Operations and Governance team.

The Director of Court Operations and Governance provides strategic, operational, and thought leadership for a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, consultants, and support staff and a portfolio of court operations and governance work-including, but not limited to, strategic planning and organizational assessments, court security, space planning, juries, business and commercial courts, systems re-engineering, and workload assessments-supporting state and local courts nationwide. This position is responsible for ensuring high-quality project delivery, strong client relationships, sound governance practices, and alignment with NCSC-wide mission and strategy. This position plays a key leadership role in shaping national initiatives, advancing best practices in court administration, assisting with strategic planning, case flow management, and supporting courts in improving effectiveness, transparency, public trust and confidence, and sound court management practices.
In addition to leading their team, the position will also serve as a consultant on various high-profile projects and is expected to routinely interact with all levels of NCSC staff, as well as Chief Justices, State Court Administrators, trial and appellate court judges, trial and appellate court administrators, and staff from various state and local courts. The position will also have frequent interaction with existing and potential funders at government agencies and foundations.
Trusted Leadership. Proven Solutions. Fair and Impartial Courts.

Duties and Responsibilities
Court Leadership, Governance & Operations Leadership and Strategy

• Set strategic direction for court operations and governance initiatives across state, local, and national projects.
• Provide subject matter expertise and strengthen court leadership, and improve governance, case flow management, and workload.
• Apply first-hand experience strengthening and improving court leadership, governance structures, case flow management, and workload assessments across state and local courts.
• Advise judicial and court leadership on organizational design, decision-making authority, and governance practices that support effective and accountable court administration.
• Lead and support initiatives focused on improving case flow efficiency, workload balance, and operational performance-grounded in practical court experience and evidence-based practices.
• Ensure projects and initiatives align with NCSC strategy, funder requirements, and best practices in court operations and governance.
• Provide leadershiptotheir teambysetting goalsandobjectives, monitoring progress, and holding team accountable through constructive feedback.
• Advise senior leadership, judicial leaders, and court executives on emerging issues, trends, and policy implications affecting courts.
• Contribute to thought leadership through publications, presentations, and national initiatives. Demonstrate conduct that upholds the basic Core Values of NCSC.

Program and Project Oversight

• Oversee a portfolio of consulting, research, and technical assistance projects supporting courts.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and to a high standard of quality, rigor, clarity and practical relevance.
• Guide business process documentation and re-engineering, applied research, data analysis, and assessment efforts related to court performance, governance and administration.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, while able to adjust to changing circumstances and priorities.

Revenue Development

• Identify, pursue, and support diversified revenue opportunities to sustain and grow team initiatives, including grants, contracts, sponsorships, and foundation partnerships.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, advancement staff, and other program teams to shape fundable ideas, develop proposals, and align project scopes with funder priorities, court needs, and NCSC mission and strategy.
• Contribute subject-matter expertise to grant and RFP proposals, budgets, and workplans.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders, foundations, court partners, and national stakeholders to support long-term sustainability.
• Identify opportunities to scale successful pilots or innovations into funded work.

People Management and Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of consultants, researchers, and support staff responsibly and empathetically.
• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Support professional development, workload balance, and succession planning.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a senior point of contact for state and local court leaders, judicial officers, court administrators, funders, and partner organizations.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Represent NCSC in meetings, convenings, and national forums related to court operations, leadership, and governance.
• Translate complex operational and governance concepts into clear, actionable guidance for court and non-court audiences.
• Collaborate with other program groups, communications, advancement, and finance + administration to support project success.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in public administration, public policy, law, court administration or a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience (typically 8-12 years+) working with or within courts or judicial branch organizations.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience overseeing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of court operations, governance structures, and public sector or judicial administration.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including experience producing high-quality reports and presentations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, including the ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue.
• Previous consulting experience and/or leadership with state or local courts, preferred.

Additional Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to travel to client locations, meetings and/or conferences throughout the United States
• Operational discipline, including recruiting and training new and/or promoted staff, assigning work, assisting with staff development, preparing proposals for new work, engaging in contract negotiation, and contract compliance, reviewing and approving staff timesheets and expense reports in accordance with NCSC and funder requirements.
• Demonstrate use of sound judgment in practical matters and critical decisions, choosing wisely after contemplating various options.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Additional Information
Benefits

NCSC is proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package for our regular full-time and regular part-time employees, consisting of:

Insurance

• Medical Insurance: PPO, HDHP options (HMO option for VA residents)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employer Paid Life Insurance for Employee + Family
• Employer Paid Accidental Death Insurance
• Employer Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• 125 Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Retirement

• Retirement: Money Purchase Plan Pension account (9% of salary)
• Retirement Option: 403B

Paid Time Off

• All Purpose Leave (APL)
• Paid Holidays (10)

Other Benefits

• Education Assistance
• Paid Training and Development
• Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness under 501(c)(3)

The annual starting salary for this role is between $145,600 - $190,000. Factors that affect starting pay within the range include education, experience, and other qualifications as it relates to the position.

Join our Team!

This position closes on February 13, 2026. Please submit your resume and cover letter in addition to your completed NCSC application. For reference, include professional references only with at least one previous or current supervisor.

NCSC is an equal opportunity/disability/veteran employer.
NCSC is proud to provides a comprehensive benefits package for our regular full-time and regular part-time employees consisting of:

Insurance

• Medical Insurance: PPO, HDHP options (HMO option for VA residents)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employer Paid Life Insurance for Employee + Family
• Employer Paid Accidental Death Insurance
• Employer Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• 125 Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Retirement

• Retirement: Money Purchase Plan Pension account (9% of salary)
• Retirement Option: 403B

Paid Time Off

• All Purpose Leave (APL)
• Paid Holidays (10)

Other Benefits

• Education Assistance
• Paid Training and Development
• Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness under 501(c)(3)

01

Do you have direct experience working with or within courts or judicial branch organizations?

• Yes
• No

02

What has been your direct experience working with or within courts or judicial branch organizations? What types of courts, what was your role, and how long were you there?
03

Tell me about a multidisciplinary team you directly managed. How many team members were there, and what were their roles?
04

What aspects of court operations, governance structures, and public sector or judicial administration have you worked with most directly?
Required Question