Principal State Director, LA County

Job description

Job Overview: 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. Serving as the single accountable executive for California you will act as the primary authorized representative for contract administration, strategic vision, and high-level government relations . 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. This is a high-impact, individual contributor role that drives outcomes through cross-functional influence across remote, non-LA based implementation teams, rather than through direct line management. Responsibilities and Duties: 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). Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (e.g., MPA, MBA, Public Policy, Health Administration). 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. Deep expertise in managing the implementation lifecycle for large-scale, multi-agency SaaS solutions, with a proven ability to guide clients on the critical distinction between software configuration and customization. Strong working knowledge of California’s social care and health ecosystem, including programs for unhoused individuals (CoC/HMIS), CalAIM, and DxF. We value being together : We believe being together enables stronger relationships, collaboration, and culture. This position is 5 days in-office and candidates must be located in Los Angeles, CA. Perks at Findhelp 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 We’re building a diverse, inclusive team You’re welcome here. We want everyone to be able to easily connect to the help they need, and we want our teams to reflect and represent our communities. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all Company policies, without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin or ancestry, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other protected class, in accordance with applicable laws. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities. Here are some of the ways we support our staff: Culture Committee Leadership Development Training Paid Volunteering Time We’re changing the way people connect to social care. At Findhelp, we’ve built a comprehensive platform of products and services that make it easy for you to connect people to resources, follow them on their journey, and track your impact in a fast and reliable way. Our industry-leading social care network includes more than half a million local, state, and national programs that serve every ZIP Code in the country, from rural areas to major metropolitan centers. Findhelp is headquartered in Austin, Texas and has been enabling healthcare, government, education, and other organizations to connect people with the social care resources that serve them, with privacy and security, since 2010. As a mission driven organization, we are focused on creating a positive impact by connecting people in need to the programs that serve them with dignity and ease. Powered by our proprietary technology that enables people to find the resources available in their area, we have helped millions of Seekers find food, health, housing and employment programs.