National Governors Association · 2 days ago
Director, Governor Transitions, Engagement & Leadership Development Programs
Washington, DC
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$100K/yr - $125K/yr
7+ years expThe National Governors Association is a bipartisan organization of Governors from the 55 states, territories, and commonwealths. They are seeking a Program Director to design and lead a comprehensive strategy for onboarding and supporting newly elected governors and their senior teams, ensuring effective engagement with NGA programming from day one.
Non ProfitGovernmentAssociation
Responsibilities
Implement NGA’s end-to-end new governor engagement strategy, beginning at the primary through post-election transition
Monitor gubernatorial election cycles nationwide, with particular focus on open-seat races and competitive incumbent races
Coordinate early, appropriate relationship-building with candidates and senior advisors once primary elections conclude, ensuring alignment with NGA’s bipartisan role
Serve as a trusted point of contact for transition teams, providing guidance on early governance priorities, staffing considerations, and NGA engagement opportunities
Coordinate with NGA’s Membership Division to execute a structured onboarding process for newly elected governors and their senior teams
Develop and disseminate transition guidance, playbooks, and briefing materials tailored to first-time governors and experienced executives alike
Ensure governors-elect are fully prepared and positioned to participate in NGA’s Seminar for New Governors and early NGA convenings
Coordinate closely with all NGA teams to deliver a seamless onboarding experience
Coordinate with the Membership Division on the design, refinement, and delivery of the Seminar for New Governors curriculum
Ensure curriculum reflects real-world executive leadership needs, state sovereignty, bipartisan problem-solving, and effective governance practices
Prepare and brief governors-elect and their senior staff on NGA and value proposition
Partner internally to integrate leadership development with NGA’s broader policy and convening agenda
Manage a national network of former gubernatorial chiefs of staff, senior advisors, or practitioners serving as transition mentors
Establish clear expectations, training protocols, and reporting structures for this network
Coordinate with academic partners and peer institutions, to deploy transition support
Ensure all transition supporters are fully briefed on NGA’s mission, values, curriculum, and bipartisan operating principles
Coordinate with the NGA Development Team to develop and execute a fundraising and resource development strategy to support NGA’s new governor engagement, transition, and leadership development work
Identify, cultivate, and steward philanthropic, corporate, and institutional partners interested in strengthening executive leadership, bipartisan governance, and state capacity
Collaborate with NGA senior leadership to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities and donor interests
Support the development of sponsorships and underwriting for long-term funding of the Seminar for New Governors and transition programming
Build and manage partnerships with academic institutions, former governors’ networks, leadership development organizations, and philanthropic partners to support the transition of new governors
Serve as NGA’s internal coordinator across all of NGA on all new governor engagement activities
Support senior NGA leadership in high-level relationship building with governors-elect, chiefs of staff, and key external stakeholders
And other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, public administration, or a related field
Seven plus years working in areas of government, public policy, executive leadership support
Demonstrating experience working with Governors, senior leadership, or equivalent high-level stakeholders
Direct recent experience supporting leadership transitions, campaigns, onboarding, and designing leadership development programs or learning activities
Demonstrating experience managing complex initiatives, developing strategic partnerships, and collaborating on fundraising and development efforts, including donor engagement and sponsorship strategies
Deep understanding of state government structures, gubernatorial leadership, and state executive branch operations
Relationship-building and stakeholder engagement abilities, particularly with senior-level leaders
Exceptional facilitation, written and communication skills, including briefing senior leaders and facilitating high-level discussion
Experience working in bipartisan environments with a high degree of discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment
Strong project management and organizational skills, including oversight of multi-phase initiatives
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into structured programs and measurable outcomes
Comfortable operating in dynamic, fast-moving environments where priorities shift quickly
Demonstrated commitment to bipartisan collaboration
Travel, as necessary
Benefits
Healthcare
Company
National Governors Association
The National Governors Association (NGA) is the bipartisan organization of the nation’s governors.
Founded in 1908Washington, District of Columbia, USA
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Jordan Kramer
Chief Financial Officer
LeAnne Wilson
Chief Operating Officer
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