Special Assistant to the Chief Information Officer and the Chief Information Security Officer at ACLU - National Office

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Special Assistant to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in the Administration & Finance Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

Technology is essential to advancing the ACLU’s mission, and the Information Security (CISO) and Information Technology (CIO) teams work together to ensure that our systems are secure, reliable, and effective in supporting our staff and affiliates. The Information Security team protects the ACLU’s data and digital operations by managing cybersecurity risks, implementing security policies, and defending against cyber threats. At the same time, the Information Technology team delivers the infrastructure, applications, and support that power the organization, ensuring employees have the tools they need to work efficiently and securely. Together, these teams safeguard our systems while enabling innovation, allowing the ACLU to operate effectively while protecting the information critical to its work. 

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU). 

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the Special Assistant will be responsible for administrative, logistical, and operational support and help facilitate the progression of projects and initiatives requiring the CIO’s and CISO’s time, attention, and work product.

The Special Assistant will also serve as a liaison to their counterparts in senior leadership teams across the organization to enhance coordination, collaboration, and cross-departmental communication, and work to advance the mission and strategic goals of the ACLU. This position will handle information that is highly sensitive and confidential.

Our ideal candidate is a problem solver and critical thinker with unquestionable integrity and discretion, excellent judgement, and a service-oriented, can-do attitude, who takes pride in anticipating the needs of others.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Complete a broad variety of administrative and logistical tasks that facilitate effective leadership, including - calendar management, assisting with special projects; designing and producing documents, reports, and presentations; collecting and preparing information for meetings with staff and outside parties; composing and preparing correspondence; maintaining contact and attendee lists; arranging travel; and completing expense reports
• Arrange and handle all logistics for departmental and organization-wide meetings: scheduling; preparing draft agendas and talking points; developing, compiling, and distributing presentation materials; and drafting meeting minutes
• Serve as "gatekeeper" and "gateway" for internal and external constituencies on all matters pertaining to the CIO and CISO, including those of a highly confidential and critical nature; prioritize and determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response, exercising judgement to reflect CIO’s and CISO’s styles and organization policy
• Provide sophisticated calendar and task management assistance: prioritize inquiries and requests while troubleshooting and resolving conflicts; maintain an organized system of tracking, monitoring, and prioritizing tasks and projects related to the CIO and CISO portfolios; make judgements and recommendations to ensure smooth day-to-day engagements
• Work closely with the CIO and CISO to keep them well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up as appropriate; act as a "barometer," having a sense for the issues taking place in the environment and keeping the CIO and CISO updated and anticipating needs in advance of engagements
• Receive and screen communications to the CIO and CISO, including office visitors, telephone calls, email messages, and mail; provide assistance using independent judgment to determine those requiring priority attention
• Draft regular organization-wide communication(s) from CIO or CISO; liaise with communications, digital, internal communications counterparts as necessary
• Manage and update intranet pages for the CIO and CISO departments
• Manage vendor billing and invoices on behalf of IT and Information Security teams
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Significant executive support experience, including supporting C-level executives and board members
• Excellent judgement with ability to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information
• Excellent interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and switch gears at a moment’s notice
• Highly organized with great attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; ability to design and edit basic graphic presentations and materials using Microsoft Office applications
• Willingness to conquer the “small tasks” with an understanding of their vital importance in the success of the team
• Ability to complete a high volume of tasks and projects with little or no guidance

COMPENSATION

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.