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This position requires candidates to reside in California with a preferred location of Sacramento or the Bay Area.

ORGANIZATION

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Central to this mission is our work to support and safeguard the apolitical civil service, the backbone of our democratic system that ensures our government meets its mandate to serve the public good. We prepare public servants to navigate threats to the nonpartisan workforce, and we educate and engage the public about why government matters and what is at stake for everyone if it is undermined. We also aim to help federal, state and local government deliver for those they serve, applying over 20 years of experience working in the public sector to reinspire faith in government at all levels.

+ Our staff, diverse in experience and perspective, is mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive.

+ Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:

+ Passion for public service and our work toward more effective government

+ People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect

+ Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results

+ Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Partnership for Public Service’s California Gubernatorial Transition Project will support a smooth and safe transfer of power between gubernatorial administrations, prepare senior appointees to effectively step into office and maximize a new administration’s capacity to manage government challenges. Since 2008, the Partnership has grown its public profile to be the go-to source for information and advice on presidential transitions through our Center for Presidential Transition. (https://presidentialtransition.org/) 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. This role will lead the charge in building a new portfolio of transition support at the state level, liaising with key leaders of the outgoing and incoming administrations, campaigns, senior civil service leaders and external stakeholders.

The director will join a growing team focused on state government. Building on our successful track record working with federal agencies, partners and other stakeholders in Washington, D.C., and across the country, we will design and implement transition support for the state of California. We seek a dynamic, collaborative, motivated, entrepreneurial, and experienced director to oversee this critical project.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

+ Lead the planning and execution of the project’s strategy, activities and processes and 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 a 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, including as a subject-matter expert and spokesperson for media requests.

KEY COMPETENCIES

+ 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.

REQUIRED/PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

+ 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position reports to the Senior Vice President of Programs. The director will directly and indirectly supervise a cross-organizational team.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a remote environment in California, with a strongly preferred location in Sacramento or the Bay Area with 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.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The starting salary range for this position is $150,000 - $200,000. The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary; 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, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off.

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.