Executive Director of the External Affairs Division

State of Connecticut Judicial Branch

Hartford

The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch is seeking to fill the position of Executive Director of the External Affairs Division. This person oversees the Judicial Branch’s government relations, communications, and community outreach and directly or indirectly supervises 10 employees.

Preferred applicants will possess significant experience with the CT General Assembly, as the Executive Director supervises the Judicial Branch’s legislative liaisons, who are responsible for all legislation affecting the Judicial Branch, including but not limited to: advocating on the Judicial Branch’s behalf; reviewing all proposed legislation; monitoring and tracking proposals that may impact the Judicial Branch; drafting written and oral testimony to advise legislators of proposals that would impact the Branch; soliciting suggestions from judges and employees about possible legislation to enhance court operations; drafting the Judicial Branch’s legislative proposals; and closely monitoring the budget process to ensure that the Judicial Branch receives the funding it needs to meet its constitutional and statutory obligations. The Executive Director is also responsible for assisting judges throughout the reappointment process.   

In addition, the Executive Director oversees the Judicial Branch’s communications functions including the primary spokesperson for the Branch, who coordinates and responds to media inquiries; the Judicial Branch’s X account and YouTube page; the drafting, design and coordination of the printing and distribution of resource materials and publications; the drafting of speeches for judges; and the production of the Calendar Call podcast to assist attorneys in meeting their minimum continuing legal education requirements.

The Executive Director also directs the Judicial Branch’s community outreach activities including various public education programs such as the Speakers Bureau, the Civics Academy, Read Across America, Supreme Court Tours and the Experiential Learning Program.  This individual may also be called upon to plan and/or assist in coordinating internal and/or external events, such as swearing-in ceremonies.  

Due to the nature of this position, the Executive Director primarily works in-office; very limited, situational remote work may be possible. 

Preference will be given to those applicants that possess a law degree. 

Salary Range: $182,896 - $232,807/year – plus State of Connecticut benefits.

New employees begin at the minimum.  The starting salary for existing state employees may be higher than the minimum, in accordance with existing Judicial Branch policy.    

The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch offers its employees a top notch array of health and retirement benefits including but not limited to: paid holidays, vacation, sick and personal leave, group life insurance, 457 Deferred Compensation, voluntary flexible spending account programs, discounted auto and home insurance policies and long and short term disability.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING 

General Experience: A Law degree or a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field and ten years of experience in court administration, legal research and writing, legislative process, or research, planning and policy analysis.

Special Experience: Five years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity.

Special Requirement: Incumbents may be required to travel in the course of their daily work.

Applications must be received by April 28, 2025.  Applications must be submitted through the on-line application site at: (CLICK BELOW). Resumes or paper applications will not be accepted.

Careers at the Branch play an essential role for the public and society.  Our meaningful, challenging, and interesting positions have a long-lasting effect that serves to advance justice and ultimately provides for the greater good of all. 

Please reference posting number 25-8100-001

EOE