Smart Growth America is looking for a highly qualified individual to fill the position of Director of the Governors’ Institute on Community Design. This position offers a tremendous opportunity to work at the cutting edge of state and local smart growth policy with top level officials and experts, developing innovative policy options and disseminating best practices around building sustainable, creative and livable communities across the country.
Job Description:
The Director of the Governors’ Institute on Community Design is responsible for managing the Institute. The Director will work closely with high-level state and local officials, top consultants and policy experts, will take a leading role in determining policy recommendations for state and local officials across a broad range of topics related to growth and development, including transportation, urban design and planning, economic development, creative placemaking, arts-based development, real estate, energy, sustainability, equity, and government management. The director will help determine overall program direction working in conjunction with federal agency partners, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Primary tasks include recruiting state and local officials to participate in the Institute’s programs, managing a small staff as well as teams of outside consultants, devising the structure and content of policy workshops and other high level convenings, drafting reports to state officials, providing guidance to stakeholders on available resources at the state level, and conducting follow up to support specific policy changes. Additional duties include fundraising and grant management, including funder relations. The GICD director will report to SGA’s director of technical assistance. Travel required.
Requirements: The successful candidate should have:
- Minimum 5 years experience working on local or state policy and have knowledge of sustainable and livable communities practices and programs.
- Significant familiarity with at least three of the following policy areas: transportation, creative placemaking, urban design and planning, economic development, real estate, energy, sustainability, equity, or government management..
- Excellent presentation and writing skills.
- Great attention to detail.
- Experience managing consultants.
Candidates with past experience collaborating directly with high-ranking state and/or local officials preferred.
Previous experience working in state government desirable, but not required.
Compensation: Salary will be commensurate with experience, and range from $75-90K. SGA provides excellent benefits, competitive with non-profit organizations in the Washington, DC region.
How to apply: To be considered for this position, please submit application materials to [email protected]. Please include the job title in the subject line. A complete application will include: 1) resume, 2) cover letter, 3) three references, and 4) short writing sample (not to exceed four pages). Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Job is available immediately.
Equal Opportunity Employment: Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Smart Growth America.