Director of Washington Thriving

Director of Washington Thriving

Salary

$130,000.00 - $170,000.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Exempt

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-05205

Department

Office of the Governor

Division

Office of the Governor

Opening Date

06/29/2026

Closing Date

7/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the starting salary range of $130.000 - $170,000 annually. Applications will be reviewed immediately. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible. Our physical office is located in Olympia, WA. This is a hybrid position with the ability to telework. However, you will need to attend in-person meetings or community events as required by the position.

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW, the Executive Director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, in consultation with the council.

Why work for the Office of the Governor?

The Office of the Governor offers a unique opportunity to shape policies and initiatives that have a lasting impact on the lives of people across Washington State. As part of a mission-driven team, you will work alongside dedicated public servants, agency leaders, policymakers, and community partners to address some of the states most complex and important challenges. This is an opportunity to influence statewide priorities, drive meaningful change, and help create innovative solutions that improve outcomes for children, youth, families, and communities. If you are passionate about public service, systems transformation, and making a measurable difference, the Office of the Governor provides an unparalleled platform to lead change at the highest levels of state government.

The Job Opportunity

Join the Governor's Office in a highly visible leadership role responsible for advancing Washington Thriving, Washington State's strategic plan to build an integrated behavioral health system of care that improves the well-being of children, youth, and families from birth through young adulthood. This position will lead and manage statewide implementation efforts designed to strengthen and transform Washington's behavioral health system by coordinating initiatives across agencies, aligning executive leadership around shared goals, and driving accountability for measurable results. Working directly with the Governor's Office, executive agency leaders, and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group, you will accelerate progress on Washington Thriving's priority initiatives, ensure successful implementation across state government, and incorporate emerging best practices to strengthen the state's broader system of care. You will also drive the work of the Washington Thriving Leadership Council, established under House Bill (HB) 2429, to transform governance, funding, and operational approaches across public and private behavioral health systems, while advancing policy recommendations to improve mental and behavioral health outcomes for Washington's children and youth at every level of need. This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic leader who excels at building partnerships, leading complex cross-sector initiatives, and delivering transformational change that will positively impact generations of Washington families.

What you'll work on

• Lead and coordinate statewide implementation of the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and First Initiatives by establishing implementation priorities, monitoring progress, resolving cross-system barriers, and ensuring alignment among participating agencies, councils, and system partners.
• Facilitate collaboration among executive leadership from state agencies, legislative partners, behavioral health system leaders, and community stakeholders to advance integrated behavioral health system transformation for children, youth, and families.
• As an extension of the Governor's policy and leadership team, support alignment of practices across agencies and community partners around the state in close consultation with those entities.
• Support the work of the Washington Thriving Leadership Council established under HB 2429 by coordinating strategic planning activities, facilitating policy discussions, developing implementation recommendations, tracking deliverables, and ensuring follow-through on statewide priorities.
• Develop implementation frameworks, performance measures, accountability structures, and reporting processes to evaluate progress toward Washington Thriving goals and ensure agencies and partners meet identified commitments and timelines.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with state agencies, behavioral health providers, community organizations, tribal partners, advocacy organizations, youth and family representatives, and other implementation partners to support coordinated system transformation efforts.
• Coordinate development of executive briefings, legislative reports, strategic updates, presentations, and implementation status materials for the Governor's Office, Legislature, Leadership Council, and external stakeholders regarding progress, barriers, recommendations, and system outcomes.
• Partner with executive leadership and communications staff to develop consistent statewide messaging, communication strategies, and informational materials related to Washington Thriving implementation efforts and behavioral health system transformation initiatives.
• Ensure implementation activities, policy recommendations, and system transformation efforts incorporate principles of equity, culturally and linguistically responsive practices, trauma-informed approaches, and meaningful engagement of youth, families, and individuals with lived experience.
• Provide direct supervisory leadership to the Project Director, maintain oversight of project progress and systemic barriers, and ensure the "Children in Crisis" initiative aligns with and informs implementation of the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan.

What we need you to bring

• Extensive experience in behavioral health, children's systems, youth-serving systems, family-serving systems, public policy, systems transformation, or cross-sector initiative leadership.
• Leadership experience coordinating complex, cross-sector initiatives involving state agencies, local governments, Tribal partners, educational systems, health care organizations, nonprofit organizations, and community-based partners.
• Direct experience developing, implementing, or overseeing strategic initiatives, policy implementation efforts, systems transformation projects, or multi-year organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Washington State's behavioral health system, including service delivery systems, funding structures, regulatory environments, and cross-system coordination challenges.
• Advanced knowledge of system-of-care principles and practices, including youth- and family-driven approaches, trauma-informed care, prevention and early intervention strategies, cultural responsiveness, and equity-centered implementation.
• Proven ability to analyze complex policy, operational, fiscal, governance, and implementation issues and develop strategic recommendations, implementation strategies, and actionable solutions.
• Advanced skills in strategic thinking, systems analysis, organizational change management, implementation planning, and performance accountability.
• Extensive experience facilitating collaboration, stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and relationship management among executive leadership, policymakers, Tribal governments, advocacy organizations, providers, community partners, and individuals with lived experience.
• Direct experience working collaboratively with youth, families, caregivers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.
• Strong skills in executive-level facilitation, written and verbal communication, and preparation of executive briefings, legislative reports, strategic recommendations, presentations, and public-facing materials.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, political acumen, professionalism, and discretion in highly visible, politically sensitive, or rapidly evolving environments.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate competing demands, adapt to emerging needs, and maintain progress toward strategic objectives in fast-paced environments.
• The ability to learn and grow: Curious about themselves and others, who take responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses, and who use their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
• The ability to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people we work with and serve.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public administration, social work, public health, law, medicine, behavioral health, nursing, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of national system-of-care models, cross-state innovations, and evidence-informed practices in children, youth, and family behavioral health.
• Familiarity with state and federal funding sources, including Medicaid, behavioral health block grants, Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), commercial insurance, and philanthropic investments.
• Experience facilitating high-stakes cross-agency planning processes or resolving multi-system operational barriers.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

Application Process: Once you've decided to apply for a state government job, you'll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person will read it. We do not use AI or other technology to screen your application and reject it. Please provide clear, detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Your application must consist of the following attachments:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information.

Supplemental Information

What we offer:

We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here's a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Questions:

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects diversity in culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Describe your experience in behavioral health, children's systems, youth-serving systems, family-serving systems, public policy, systems transformation, or cross-sector initiative leadership. Include your role, responsibilities, and key outcomes.

02

Describe a strategic initiative, policy implementation effort, or systems transformation project you led. Include the partners involved, your role, and the results achieved.

03

Describe your knowledge and experience with Washington State's behavioral health system, including service delivery systems, funding structures, regulatory environments, and cross-system coordination challenges

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov