Director of Strategic Partnerships

ABOUT THE JAWANDO ADMINISTRATION:

In June 2026, Democratic primary voters in Montgomery County chose their next County Executive: Will Jawando, a civil rights lawyer, Obama White House alum, and two-term County Council member who won by the widest margin of victory in an open primary in nearly two decades. He won on a promise to fully fund public schools, build affordable housing, and grow the economy from the bottom up.

Jawando is building his incoming team now, with a mandate to expand housing options and renter protections, invest in early childhood education alongside K-12 schools, treat equity as a standard for every decision, protect immigrant families and federal workers who call the county home, and craft a budget centered on working people. The Director of Strategic Partnerships will be a crucial component of turning that mandate into results, strengthening the relationship between the Executive Branch, the County Council and community partners.

ABOUT THE OFFICE:

The Director of Strategic Partnerships serves in the Office of the County Executive. The position was created so that the County Executive has dedicated resources focused on the relationship between the County Council, the Executive Branch and community partners, which is critical to the successful operation of County government. The Director works to strengthen those relationships and to improve communication and the smooth processing of legislation.

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is executive level work serving as the County Executive's liaison to the County Council. Contacts are with Councilmembers and Council staff, department directors, and community and private sector organizations. The purposes of the contacts include presenting, justifying and defending the County Executive's positions where viewpoints conflict and must be reconciled to reach workable agreements.

The Director acts as a liaison to the County Council; develops Executive positions and testimony on Council matters; coordinates and reviews Executive regulations; and performs special ad hoc policy assignments, among other duties. The Director is a non-merit, at-will appointee of the County Executive, subject to confirmation by the County Council.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

• Serves as the County Executive's liaison to the County Council, its committees, and Council staff.
• Develops Executive positions and testimony on Council matters, and prepares and coordinates Executive testimony.
• Tracks and reviews legislation before the Council and advises the County Executive on the Executive's positions on local bills.
• Coordinates and reviews Executive regulations.
• Builds and maintains relationships among the Executive Branch, the County Council and community partners.
• Performs special ad hoc policy assignments for the County Executive.
• Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of the Montgomery County Council, the County Charter and Code, and the legislative process.
• Knowledge of the functions of County government departments and agencies, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.
• Skill in analyzing legislation and developing clear, defensible positions.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, and civic and private groups.
• Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to develop defenses of, and justifications for, positions advocated.
• Skill in negotiating agreements which accommodate conflicting interests and viewpoints.
• Ability to attend meetings and perform work assignments at locations outside the office.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Extensive (seven (7) years) experience in legislative affairs, government relations, or a related field, with at least four (4) years in a managerial or supervisory capacity.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, public policy, law or related field.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

LICENSE:

None.

SALARY SCALE:

$151,886 - $258,206; commensurate with qualifications and experience.

MEDICAL EXAM PROTOCOL:

Medical History Review.