Executive Director

Position Title: Executive Director

Location: Fully remote (20%-30% Travel Expectations)

Reports to: Board Chair (or Co-Chairs)

Status: Full-time, Exempt

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 sponsor ships, 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.

• 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,…