Director, Governor Transitions, Engagement & Leadership Development Programs

Company: National Governors Association
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description TITLE : Director, Governor Transitions, Engagement & Leadership Development Programs ORGANIZATION : National Governors Association LOCATION : Washington, DC (onsite) DURATION : Full Time POSITION STATUS : Exempt COMPENSATION : A competitive compensation package will be made to the qualified candidate REPORTS TO : Chief Operating Officer ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association is the bipartisan organization of Governors from the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. NGA’s mission is to share best practices, address issues of national and state interest, and drive innovative solutions that improve state government and support the principles of federalism. NGA’s Center for Best Practices is the policy and research arm that helps Governors develop and implement solutions to public policy challenges. NGA’s Government Relations group assists in ensuring the voice of Governors are heard in Congress, and the Executive Branch and NGA’s Communications team collaborates with Governors’ offices to amplify bipartisan messaging and strategy. Throughout the year, NGA convenes Governors and senior advisors for meaningful discourse, problem-solving and thought leadership. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR, GOVERNOR TRANSITIONS, ENGAGEMENT, & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT The National Governors Association (NGA) seeks a Program Director of Governor Transitions, Engagement, and Leadership Development to design and lead a comprehensive, proactive strategy to onboard, and support newly elected governors and their senior teams. With more than twenty gubernatorial transitions anticipated in the next election cycle, this role will ensure NGA establishes trusted relationships early, provides high-value transition guidance, and prepares governors and their teams to fully engage with NGA programming from day one. This position will oversee a national, distributed transition network composed of former gubernatorial chiefs of staff, senior advisors, and select graduate students through strategic academic partnerships. The Program Director will be responsible for early engagement in open-seat races, structured onboarding post-election, and the design and delivery of NGA’s New Governors education and leadership development pathway, culminating in NGA’s Seminar for New Governors in Deer Valley, Utah. Other important responsibilities of the Program Director include: New Governor Strategy and Early Engagement 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. Transition Support and Onboarding 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. Leadership Development and New Governors Curriculum 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. Transition Network Management 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. Fundraising and Resource Development 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. Partnerships and Stakeholder Coordination 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. WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS This position is central to NGA’s mission of strengthening state leadership and advancing effective governance. By engaging governors early, supporting them through transition, and equipping them with practical leadership tools, the Director ensures NGA remains a trusted partner to governors from the moment they enter office. This role will shape the next generation of gubernatorial leadership and define how governors experience NGA from the day they are elected. QUALIFICATIONS Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, public administration, or a related field. Candidate should bring seven plus years working in areas of government, public policy, executive leadership support, including 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, as well as demonstrating experience managing complex initiatives, developing strategic partnerships, and collaborating on fundraising and development efforts, including donor engagement and sponsorship strategies. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability to: Have a 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; and Travel, as necessary. HOW TO APPLY Interested candidates should apply online through NGA’s career site. NGA uses Clear Company and all information is kept strictly confidential. An application is considered when all required fields are completed. Please include: Your resume highlighting your education, experience, and direct transferable skills A portfolio of your best work (attach to your candidate profile via Clear Company) COMPENSATION Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000 annually. This salary range represents a good faith estimate of the lowest to the highest salary for this position. The final salary offered will be based on qualifications and experience. PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. NGA is committed to providing a productive and safe environment. To achieve that goal, we conduct background and reference check investigations for all final applicants considered for employment. WORKING AT THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION NGA staff proudly serve our nation’s Governors daily, and it’s our mission to ensure we offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, to include healthcare and more, designed to support the needs of NGA employees. NGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable law. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Keywords: National Governors Association, Germantown , Director, Governor Transitions, Engagement & Leadership Development Programs, Human Resources , Washington, Maryland