Chief of Staff
GovAct
The Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, fiscally sponsored by Global Impact, that supports governors in championing fundamental freedoms across the United States. GovAct also has a 501(c)(4) arm that focuses on targeted polling and message testing.
Currently, GovAct supports the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, Governors Safeguarding Democracy, and other Governor collaborations, including convenings, discussion series, and task forces. Specifically, GovAct helps:
• Build capacity and expertise by connecting experts across Governors' Offices and organizations, tailoring best practices, model policies, and legislation, and advancing other legal and policy innovations for Governors to advance bold policies;
• Develop innovative ideas for collaboration by breaking out of silos and advancing creative initiatives;
• Advance affirmative agendas for Governors to maximize their powers to protect fundamental freedoms and counteract assaults; and
• Partner with advocacy organizations and other stakeholders.
More information about GovAct may be found at www.GovActAlliance.org.
THE OPPORTUNITY
GovAct seeks a savvy, well-organized manager/strategist to serve as Chief of Staff to the CEO. The Chief of Staff will offer thoughtful counsel to leadership, oversee GovAct’s work to maximize and track impact, and drive and implement major organizational initiatives on a host of governors’ office priorities. A proactive thinker, you are always looking “three steps ahead” to overcome obstacles and help a growing organization regularly and efficiently produce results. You rely upon your project management and strong organizational skills to keep track of multiple
workflows, all the details, and staff members’ ongoing engagement, while also adopting a people - centered approach. You will work closelywith leaders across the organization as well as external partners, helping to ensure organizational effectiveness and running special projects as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES
● Leadership Support and Strategic Counsel
o Offer thoughtful advice and counsel to GovAct’s CEO/Founder and other
leadership on a variety of matters, including programming, donor engagement, and external partnerships.
o Brief and advise GovAct leadership on critical issues and in advance of meetings to ensure they are well informed.
o Help coordinate across GovAct alliances and manage consultants to coordinate multiple lines of work including communications, development, strategic growth, litigation, policy implementation, and more.
o Support GovAct leadership in managing and overseeing the budget.
o Participate in strategic planning sessions, identifying key priorities and translating strategic goals into actionable plans.
o Serve as surrogate for the CEO at stakeholder and partner convenings as needed.
• Project Management
o Oversee large, cross-functional projects, tracking progress, and ensuring timely completion.
o Execute on day-to-day responsibilities for top leadership.
o Triage rapid response and incoming time-sensitive requests.
o Own regular tracking and analysis of progress to goals, highlighting top learnings to package and share with internal and external audiences.
o Lead sensitive projects in coordination with top leadership.
• Convenings and Communications
o Help lead convenings of GovAct staff and Governors’ office staff, setting goals,
agendas, and managing logistics.
o Share best practices and ideas across GovAct and its alliances.
o Routinely communicate with internal teams about donor and impact needs, timelines, lessons learned, and shifting processes.
o Engage external stakeholders and partners as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience: Minimum of 12-15 years in government, law, policy, communications, public relations, media relations, and/or a related field;
o Experience as a chief of staff in a nonprofit or government front office and leading strategic initiatives is helpful.
• Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
o Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge: Understanding of public policy, state government and gubernatorial operations, and broad understanding of issues related to fundamental freedoms and democracy.
• Leadership: Proven track record in working effectively to provide direction across teams
and departments, managing multiple fast-moving projects, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, as well as experience and comfort with providing strategic counsel to senior leaders.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Government, Political Science, Communications, Public
Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
To effectively meet this critical startup moment, successful candidates will also bring relevant and diverse lived and professional experiences to building of the organization and will align with key founding values of GovAct including:
• Belief in the power of government, and governors’ offices in particular, to advance bold,
affirmative agendas that protect fundamental rights and defend the Constitution.
• Strong, hands-on work ethic needed to support fast-paced start-up growth and development of a sustainable organization.
• Political adeptness, sound judgment, and experience handling sensitive information
needed to gain trust and work effectively across governors’ offices.
• Collaboration, communication, and relationship skills needed to operate effectively across a complex and matrixed network of stakeholders and teams.
• Resiliency, optimism, and solutions orientation needed to advance a joyful approach to the work, remain responsive rather than reactive, and support progress when meeting difficult challenges.
• Commitment and demonstrated ability to work effectively and build alignment across lines of difference.
BENEFITS
GovAct provides all employees 12 paid holidays and 30 paid days off. GovAct provides an excellent benefits plan, including parental leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term, and long-term disability; wellness, technology, and professional development stipends; and a robust 401K program.
TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Emma Clough at Emma.Clough@GovActAlliance.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
HIRING VALUES
At GovAct, we celebrate a culture of belonging and are committed to cultivating and nurturing a workplace of diversity, equity, and inclusion. GovAct encourages individuals to apply for this position who are of underrepresented backgrounds including, for example, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation.