Executive Director

Position Title: Executive Director
Location: Fully remote (20%-30% Travel Expectations)
Reports to: Board Chair (or Co-Chairs)
Status: Full-time, Exempt

Position Summary
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the GovAI Coalition and is responsible for advancing the strategic direction established by the Advisory Board. The Executive Director leads the Coalition’s operations, programs, fundraising, partnerships, membership growth, communications, and financial stewardship while building a sustainable nonprofit dedicated to advancing responsible AI in government. The Executive Director will recruit and supervise a small team, coordinate the efforts of 600+ volunteers, five committees, and multiple work groups.
 
As the Coalition’s primary ambassador, the Executive Director builds relationships with government leaders, philanthropic organizations, industry, academia, nonprofit partners, and other stakeholders to expand the Coalition’s reach and impact. The Executive Director also works closely with the Advisory Board and Coalition members to identify emerging public-sector AI needs, develop high-impact initiatives, convene stakeholders, and maintain the Coalition’s position as a trusted, nonpartisan, practitioner-led resource for responsible AI adoption across government.

GovAI Coalition has recently joined as a fiscally-sponsored project of the Hopewell Fund.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks
Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Advance the strategic direction established by the Advisory Board, translating the Coalition’s priorities into actionable plans, programs, and organizational goals.
• Work with the Advisory Board to refine strategic priorities, establish measures of success, and guide the Coalition’s long-term growth and impact.
• Identify and develop new initiatives, pilot programs, and partnership opportunities that advance the Coalition’s mission and respond to emerging public-sector AI needs.
• Monitor organizational performance and provide the Advisory Board with timely updates, insights, and recommendations to support effective governance, decision-making, and the resolution of barriers to success.

Operations, Team Leadership, and Culture

• Lead the Coalition’s day-to-day operations and strengthen the systems and processes needed to support its growth and liaise with fiscal sponsor.
• Recruit and build a high-performing team, overseeing staff, contractors, and volunteers while establishing clear roles, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Support and develop team members while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven culture.

Financial Stewardship and Sustainability

• Develop and implement the Coalition’s annual work plan, budget, and performance goals.
• Ensure sound financial management, organizational compliance, and responsible stewardship of the Coalition’s resources.
• Lead fundraising and revenue-development efforts, including philanthropic grants, government funding, corporate sponsorships, and other mission-aligned opportunities.
• Oversee grant development and management, including proposal preparation, funder engagement, reporting, and compliance.
• Work with the Advisory Board, as appropriate, to evaluate revenue-generating opportunities that support the Coalition’s sustainability.
• Develop long-term financial strategies that diversify revenue while protecting the Coalition’s independence, credibility, and public-interest mission.

Partnerships, Membership, and External Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Coalition members, government leaders and agencies, philanthropic organizations, industry, academia, nonprofits, and other strategic partners.
• Develop partnerships that expand the Coalition’s reach and impact and support collaborative initiatives, knowledge sharing, and public-sector innovation.
• Lead efforts to grow Coalition membership and strengthen member engagement, in consultation with communications resources, through targeted outreach, relevant programming, and meaningful opportunities to contribute.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the Coalition at conferences, working groups, media engagements, and other public forums, strengthening its reputation as a trusted, nonpartisan, practitioner-led organization focused on responsible AI in government.

Programs, Resources, and Communications

• Oversee the Coalition’s programs, working groups, publications, member services, and other mission-related initiatives.
• Provide strategic direction to committees and working groups to ensure their activities align with organizational priorities and produce meaningful outcomes.
• Guide the development, testing, and continuous improvement of practical AI governance, policy, workforce, procurement, and implementation resources for government organizations with varying levels of capacity and AI maturity.
• Translate emerging developments in AI and government into actionable programs, pilots, educational resources, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Oversee the Coalition’s communications and engagement activities, including member communications, digital content, publications, and educational materials.

Events and Convenings

• In consultation with communications resources, provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Coalition’s annual Summit and other significant convenings, guiding event goals, agendas, programming, speakers, and partnerships to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and meaningful value for public-sector practitioners.
• Leverage the insights, relationships, and outcomes generated through Coalition events to strengthen year-round programs, partnerships, resources, and member engagement.

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, nonprofit management, technology, public policy, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government, nonprofit, public-interest technology, or a related environment, with a minimum of three of those years serving in an executive leadership capacity, including significant responsibility for organizational strategy, operations, budgeting, personnel, and program delivery.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational growth and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Experience managing nonprofit or public-sector budgets and financial operations.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and collaborate effectively with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, philanthropic organizations, and private-sector partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Coalition’s mission of advancing responsible AI for the public good.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong candidates will bring experience in several of the following areas:
• Leadership within a nonprofit, government, academic, or public-interest technology organization.
• AI governance, responsible AI, digital government, data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, or related emerging technologies.
• Building or scaling a mission-driven organization, including strengthening its operations, systems, and financial sustainability.
• Fundraising and revenue development through philanthropic grants, government funding, corporate sponsorships, or other mission-aligned sources.
• Working effectively with a Board of Directors and supporting strong governance practices.
• Building multi-sector partnerships and convening stakeholders with differing perspectives and priorities.
• Developing practical resources, programs, or initiatives for government organizations.
• Representing an organization through public speaking, media engagement, conferences, or other external forums.
• Leading major conferences, summits, or stakeholder convenings.

Attributes

• Excellent written, verbal, public speaking, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Unimpeachable integrity.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented and analytical.
• Open, creative, energetic.

How to Apply
Please apply here with your cover letter and resume, including compensation requirements.
 
NOTE – The first review of applications is on September 16, 2026. This position will remain open until filled and applications are reviewed continuously. We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible as this recruitment may close at any time.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range:
$185,000 - 230,000 annual base pay

Benefits: 
Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees (and their families). Employees are able to enroll in 401k retirement plan and are eligible for a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions. Employees will receive 120 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually. Employees will also receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment.

About the GovAI Coalition:
The GovAI Coalition is a nationwide network of more than 3,000 members across 900+ public agencies united in a shared mission: to enable public sector AI to serve the public good through resource sharing, standards, and advocacy. Founded by the City of San José in 2023 and now launching as an independent nonprofit entity, the Coalition develops shared policy templates, procurement guidance, hands-on support, and best practices that help government agencies of any size adopt AI ethically, responsibly, and accountably. Joining now offers a rare opportunity to help shape how the public sector adopts AI responsibly at a pivotal, foundational moment.

The GovAI Coalition has recently joined as a fiscally-sponsored project of the Hopewell Fund. Hopewell provides administrative support, including financial management, human resources, and compliance, enabling the Coalition to grow rapidly and focus on its mission.

Hiring Statement:
The GovAI Coalition is a project of Hopewell Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. Hopewell is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Hopewell’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working. 

E-Verify:
Hopewell participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.