Principal State Director

findhelp•Los Angeles, CA

7d•$140,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

We're seeking an exceptionally distinguished and visionary Principal State Director to shape and execute findhelp's long-term government, commercial, and partnership strategy within a critical state or across multiple high-impact states. You'll be a trusted advisor to top-tier government and commercial clients, driving transformative adoption and market expansion of findhelp’s network and platform offerings. This role requires unparalleled expertise, influencing policy, and potentially overseeing a portfolio of states or high-visibility initiatives.

Requirements

Master’s degree required (e.g., MPA, MBA, Public Policy, Health Administration); Doctoral degree preferred.
12+ years of executive-level experience with a significant portion in state government leadership (e.g., Cabinet Secretary, Agency Director, Chief of Staff), or a proven track record of leading major, multi-agency government delivery initiatives for a large enterprise.
Demonstrated history of influencing policy, driving legislative change, or securing large-scale, complex government contracts/partnerships.
Unparalleled ability to build and maintain trust and influence at the highest levels of government and within large commercial enterprises.
Exceptional strategic thinking, complex problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguous situations and create clarity.
Superior negotiation, public speaking, and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex strategies to diverse executive audiences.
Proven experience in leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing senior teams.
Deep understanding of government procurement processes, budget cycles, and regulatory environments across multiple agencies or states.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Define, champion, and execute the overarching strategic vision for findhelp's engagement in assigned state(s), identifying and cultivating multi-year opportunities that align with government priorities and national trends. Influence policy and funding decisions at the highest levels.
Establish, maintain, and significantly deepen relationships with Governors' offices, Agency Secretaries, Chief Information Officers, and other C-suite level executives within state government and major commercial partners. Serve as a primary point of contact for critical escalations and strategic discussions.
Architect and oversee the delivery of groundbreaking, large-scale projects that drive systemic change and demonstrate profound, measurable impact on social services Lead highly complex cross-agency and cross-departmental initiatives, serving as the central orchestrator among diverse internal teams (Product, Engineering, Legal, Marketing) and external stakeholders to navigate intricate political landscapes and achieve unprecedented outcomes.
Identify, evaluate, and capitalize on highly complex and nascent market opportunities, potentially leading efforts to enter new segments or develop innovative solutions that address emergent state needs.
Represent findhelp as a preeminent thought leader at national and state-level forums, conferences, and legislative hearings, actively shaping industry dialogue, advocating for best practices, and promoting findhelp's unique value proposition.
Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and mentorship to a team that may include State Directors, Associate State Directors, and other senior delivery personnel, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability. May be responsible for talent acquisition and performance management of senior staff.
Proactively identify, assess, and strategically mitigate high-level political, operational, and financial risks across an entire state or portfolio of projects, developing robust contingency plans.
Hold ultimate accountability for achieving and exceeding ambitious revenue targets, adoption metrics, and the overall success and positive impact of findhelp's initiatives within the assigned state(s).

Benefits

401k & equity grants
Free food and onsite gym at our Austin HQ
Paid parental leave
Competitive PTO & 10 paid holidays
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with 100% company-paid coverage for employee only coverage
Dog-friendly office in Austin HQ
24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling
Book Purchasing Program
Leadership Development Training
Paid Volunteering Time