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Role Description

The director of the California Gubernatorial Transition Project will work with internal and external partners and will build and lead a cross-organizational team to set the project’s strategy and execute on key pieces of the transition portfolio.

• Lead the planning and execution of the project’s strategy, activities and processes.
• Ensure transition activities are closely aligned with broader Partnership objectives and organizational strategy.
• Lead relationship management for primary stakeholders, including the Office of the Governor, state agencies, academia and campaigns.
• Build and lead a project team to execute key deliverables, including:
  • Landscape analysis
  • New tools and resources for primary stakeholders
  • Hands-on support for transition teams and agencies
  • Resource development for appointee onboarding and offboarding
  • Leadership development convenings and follow-on training
• Oversee and lead the evaluation of the transition to develop research, resources and lessons learned for future transition teams.
• Work with the Partnership’s Public Policy & Stakeholder Engagement team to improve oversight, legislation and current practices as they relate to gubernatorial transitions.
• Proactively contribute to the project’s fundraising efforts, working with the Development team to source new funding and manage and grow existing relationships.
• Collaborate with the Partnership’s Communications & Public Engagement team to help position the Partnership as a thought leader on transition in the public sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred or equivalent professional work experience or military service.
• A minimum of ten years of experience required, including a strong preference for demonstrated experience in or working with the executive branch in California state government.

Requirements

• Demonstrated passion for and commitment to public service and an interest in the mission of the Partnership.
• Understanding of California state government and political ecosystem.
• Experience building and managing a cross-organizational team of talented colleagues working in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to influence and engage a wide range of audiences and build long-term relationships.
• Collaborative, flexible team-player.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment and to manage multiple deliverables concurrently and successfully.
• Demonstrated skills in persuasion and negotiation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including extensive public speaking and media experience.
• Strong relationship management, facilitation, project management and budgeting skills.
• Demonstrated political savvy and resourcefulness.
• Ability to remain scrupulously nonpartisan in advancing the Partnership's work.
• Well-developed, relevant professional network.

Benefits

• The starting salary range for this position is $150,000 - $200,000.
• The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes:
  • Medical, dental and vision coverage
  • Life insurance
  • Long- and short-term disability insurance
  • A 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match
  • Opportunities for training and development
  • 15 days of annual leave per year
  • 10 days of sick leave per year
  • All federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off

Work Environment

• This job operates in a remote environment in California, with a strongly preferred location in Sacramento or the Bay Area.
• Ability to travel to the capital regularly.
• Occasional travel to Washington, D.C., and local external venues is possible.
• This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer and scanner.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is an at-will, term position starting February 2026 and running through December 2027.
• This position is full-time and classified as exempt from overtime pay.
• Official business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, though the Partnership allows flexibility in work schedules.
• Occasional evenings or weekend activities may be required.

Travel

• If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day.
• Some out of the area and/or overnight travel may be required as well.

EEO Statement

The Partnership adheres to all federal, state and local employment laws. Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.