Position Title: Executive Director
Organization: National Governors Association
Year Founded: 1908
Employees: 80
Location: Washington, DC
Reports to: Executive Committee
Direct Report: 5

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: 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.
Website: www.nga.org

POSITION SUMMARY: The Executive Director serves the nation’s governors and provides strategic leadership for NGA. The Executive Director leads a Senior Management Team to establish long term goals, priorities, and policies – and then translate the goals into operational plans that produce high quality resources and services to states and the nation’s governors. The Executive Director works closely with the Executive Committee and all member governors to set priorities and deliver meaningful value to states. The Executive Director oversees a team of 80 staff and an annual budget of approximately $31 million.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Executive Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Strategic Planning and Positioning:

• Ensuring governors’ views are represented in the shaping of federal policy – making certain NGA policy positions reflect governors’ principles on priority issues; and guiding the association’s endeavors to influence federal laws and regulations affecting states and territories.
• Positioning governors as national policy leaders by developing policy information on high priority issues that have both a state and a federal dimension.
• Identifying state best practices across a full range of state policy issues and developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges; as well as advising on emerging policy issues.
• Providing enhanced resources, convenings and assistance to governors, governors’ spouses and their respective staff throughout the life-cycle of a governor’s term from election day through the final year in office to help them lead and manage state government and organize and run their offices effectively.
• Directing the association's communications strategies, media, and public information activities to help convey timely, in-depth analysis and background information on NGA policy positions and issues of interest to states.
• Promoting the exchange of information between governors and private sector thought leaders to stimulate discussion within the business community on emerging trends and factors affecting business and government.
• Collaborating with the leadership of other state/local organizations.
• Representing the association before the Administration, Congress, national organizations and the media.

Organizational & Programmatic Leadership:

• Ensuring development of the organization's financial, administrative, technical and human resources capacities to accomplish the organization's mission and goals.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the organization through sound financial management practices, grant administration, fundraising, investment management and budgeting.
• Ensuring effective NGA Winter Summer Meetings where the governors convene to discuss the crucial issues states face, including the state-federal partnership. NGA Winter and Summer Meetings include public plenary sessions, as well as closed-door private meetings for governors only and feature high-profile guest speakers, including the President, cabinet secretaries, congressional leaders, foreign dignitaries, and business and academic leaders.
• Ensuring the effective execution of NGA’s Seminar for New Governors (SNG). The SNG is a signature NGA meeting intended to be a collegial and bipartisan atmosphere to assist newly-elected governors in creating personal and professional connections. SNG is also a critical, first opportunity for NGA to connect with new governors, their spouses and their staff to forge ongoing working relationships. The SNG objective is to help governors-elect transition from campaigning to governing – to provide them advice regarding staffing, organizing and operating the governor’s office, leading and managing the state including the budget process.
• Ensuring successful execution of the annual Chair's initiative by assisting the Chair to translate their vision into results-oriented operational plans, allocating and managing the organizational processes to accomplish those goals.
• Accelerating fundraising activities through creative and innovative sourcing strategies and techniques and working effectively with the corporate and philanthropic community to fund major NGA priorities in NGA Solutions.

PIVOTAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

• Policy/Political Experience: 10-15 years of state/federal level experience. Significant credibility and experience in the policymaking process with excellent political judgement and relationship building skills. Concrete successes from having worked on a bipartisan basis. Ability to lead policy strategy across state, federal, and local issues and advance governors’ priorities with Congress and executive agencies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including Board members, funders and senior-level external partners. Ability to convene high profile forums and direct communications to align governors, federal partners, foundations, and the private sector around results-oriented initiatives.
• Leadership Experience: Proven executive leadership skills with a track record of building, developing, managing and motivating a diverse team. Success ensuring organizational integrity through budgeting, grant administration, fundraising, and investment oversight.
• Bipartisan Network: A robust professional network in Washington, D.C. and state capitols, with strong relationships across government, industry, and public policy stakeholders. Ability to develop and maintain high-level relationships with leadership in both parties with a record of bipartisan work; ability to effectively work with and find alignment among a range of stakeholders across the aisle and political spectrum.

LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

• Drives for Results: Coordinates execution by setting appropriate pace. Evokes ownership and accountability, streamlines process/structure, and reallocates resources quickly and flexibly.
• Shapes Strategy: Anticipates and interprets market changes, envisions the future, and decides strategic priorities.
• Inspires and Influences: Builds powerful relationships, helps others find meaning and purpose in their work, and inspires through energetic engagement. Ability to influence people at all levels and proven ability to navigate politically sensitive issues.

CULTURE IMPACT

• Executive Presence and Communication: Strong presentation style with excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Ability to quickly earn the trust of and engender confidence with key internal and external stakeholders. Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex policy issues effectively.
• Mission Orientation: Interest in NGA’s mission of serving as the voice for governors across the country.
• Integrity and Curiosity: Reputation for ethical conduct and unquestionable integrity. Brings creativity and intellectual curiosity in dealing with complex issues.
• Collaborative Team-Builder: An individual with a track record of building, developing, and leading high-performing teams. Builds strong relationships and leads through influence. Mentors and develops others and creates pathways for growth. A humble and collaborative leader who empowers others to work better, faster and smarter.

COMPENSATION RANGE: Compensation for this role will be determined based on experience and skill sets, with an anticipated salary range of $400,000-$450,000.

ENGAGEMENT TEAM
Julian Ha
Managing Partner
Office: + 1 202 974 6088
Mobile: +1 703 485 7402
Email: jha@heidrick.com

John Kenchelian
Engagement Manager
Office: +1 202 974 6066
Mobile: +1 707 363 8419
Email: jkenchelian@heidrick.com

Ati Suradja-Shuey
Project Administrator
Office: +1 202 974 6077
Email: asuradjashuey@heidrick.com