Program Director, State AI Readiness Project

Position description

The Center for Civic Futures (CCF) provides trusted spaces for government leaders to learn, test, and act. Through pilots, partnerships, and shared insight, we help decision-makers move ideas from exploration to evidence, and evidence into practice.

Duties

The Center for Civic Futures (CCF) seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial leader to serve as Program Director of the AI Readiness Project, our flagship national initiative supporting Chief AI Officers across states, territories, and Tribal governments. The Director will build and sustain a vibrant community of practice where public-sector AI leaders can collaborate, experiment, and build a responsible path to adoption of AI and emerging technologies for the public good.

This role is not just about convening, but a true field-building opportunity for impact at scale, translating demand signals from state AI leaders into collaborative workstreams, multi-state experimentation pods, and learning environments that produce real outputs. This could include model governance frameworks, procurement standards, evaluation tools, policy templates, and shared implementation approaches.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director will operate as a strategic backbone for this quickly growing workstream. They will cultivate deep relationships with Chief AI Officers, surface shared priorities, create safe spaces for operational problem-solving, and build partnerships with researchers, philanthropic allies, and experienced practitioners. The ideal candidate is part architect, part operator: comfortable navigating ambiguity, designing from first principles, and executing hands-on to turn ideas into lasting infrastructure for state AI leadership. They are an experienced convener and connector who thrives in collaborative, cross-sector environments and brings creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to supporting public sector leaders navigating emerging technologies.

CCF is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that equips government leaders to make thoughtful decisions about AI and other emerging technologies. We minimize risks while maximizing transformative opportunities, emphasizing capacity-building, responsible experimentation, and improved outcomes for public service delivery.

CCF is a fiscally sponsored project of the Digital Harbor Foundation. Digital Harbor is dedicated to fostering learning, creativity, productivity, and community through education. With a vision of digital equity for everyone, we take bold yet practical actions rooted in design thinking, data, and collective impact.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the overall strategy, design, and evolution of the AI Readiness Project.
• Shape and sustain a national community of practice for Chief AI Officers and state AI advisors.
• Serve as the strategic backbone of this growing workstream, helping states navigate opportunity and risk while advancing collective capacity.

Relationship Management

• Cultivate and maintain deep, trusted relationships with Chief AI Officers.
• Create high-trust environments where leaders can share challenges, mistakes, and early insights.
• Forge cross-sector alliances with philanthropy, academia, private technologists, and civic innovators.

Program Implementation & Impact

• Manage program operations, communications, and engagement activities.
• Develop learning opportunities, peer exchanges, and collaborative projects among Chief AI Officers, with a focus on applied learning and experimentation.
• Track program outcomes and use insights to improve offerings and deepen impact continuously.
• Manage the program budget responsibly, ensuring transparency and alignment with strategic priorities.

Program Development & Delivery

• Design programming that supports rapid skill-building and peer-to-peer learning.
• Oversee national convenings, working groups, and learning exchanges that are purposeful, outcomes-oriented, and grounded in real state priorities.
• Manage communications and engagement rhythms to ensure continuity and momentum.

Outputs & Field Infrastructure

• Work with internal and external partners to translate learning into shared tools and platforms: case studies, knowledge hubs, model policies, evaluation templates, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure outputs don’t sit on shelves but are adopted, adapted, and scaled across jurisdictions.

Fundraising & Partnerships

• Work closely with the Executive Director to build philanthropic partnerships.
• Surface fundable opportunities grounded in the needs of Chief AI Officers and states.
• Support alignment between AI readiness and CCF’s broader programs (e.g., PBIF).

Team & Culture

• Supervise and mentor team members supporting program operations.
• Model CCF’s values of collaboration, connection, and authenticity in all interactions.
• Cultivate a mission-driven, collaborative environment that prioritizes learning and impact.

Conference & Convenings

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of the annual convening of Chief AI Officers.
• Develop agendas, identify topics, and coordinate speakers for monthly AI Advisor meetings to promote consistent engagement and shared learning.
• Curate programming and design additional convenings—virtual and in-person—that extend collaboration throughout the year.
• Ensure events are high-quality, inclusive, and outcomes-oriented.

Cross- CCF Collaboration

• Work across CCF’s programs to identify intersections, co-develop initiatives, and ensure consistent messaging and learning exchange.
• Serve as an internal connector, helping integrate lessons from the AI Advisors community into broader organizational strategy.
• Work with the CCF communications to create and advance thought leadership content related to AI

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in public sector innovation, civic technology, technology policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience launching and building programs, coalitions, or ecosystems from the ground up in ambiguous environments.
• Proven success managing senior-level communities of practice, peer-learning environments, or cross-jurisdiction collaborations.
• Familiarity with AI, emerging tech governance, data ethics, or procurement in government or regulated environments.
• Experience engaging senior leaders (e.g., CIOs, CTOs, CAIOs, governors’ offices, cabinet-level leaders).
• Demonstrated ability to work across philanthropy, academia, industry, and government.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills with the ability to create trusted spaces for candid dialogue.
• Experience managing projects and budgets, and working with teams in dynamic, mission-driven organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Connector & Community Builder - Builds and nurtures a dynamic network of AI Advisors, government leaders, and cross-sector partners. Creates meaningful opportunities for connection, peer learning, and collective problem-solving that strengthen the field of responsible AI in government.
• Entrepreneurial Leader - Thrives in a dynamic environment, builds structure where needed, and brings creativity, experimentation, and initiative to developing a new national program. Able to move from idea to action quickly and refine approaches based on feedback and learning.
• Learning & Knowledge Curator - Identifies and shares emerging insights, trends, and best practices from across the ecosystem. Shapes learning resources, toolkits, pilots, and case studies that strengthen CCF’s leadership and the community’s collective knowledge.
• Convener & Ecosystem Catalyst - Designs and leads convenings that foster collaboration and shared discovery. Crafts engaging agendas and curates speakers for monthly meetings and national gatherings that inspire participation and knowledge exchange.
• Partnership Steward - Works closely with the Executive Director to cultivate philanthropic and corporate partnerships. Works with the Executive Director to develop proposals, sponsorship opportunities, and strategic collaborations that sustain and grow the program.
• Communicator & Thought Partner - Acts as a visible ambassador for the AI Readiness Project. Represents CCF at conferences and events, sharing learnings and building awareness of responsible AI practices across sectors through publications, presentations, and social media.
• Trust Steward - Creates safe, confidential environments for senior government leaders to share risks, explore experiments, and compare approaches without competitive or political pressure.

Application instructions

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