Governance & Democracy Program Lead

The Mayors Innovation Project (MIP) seeks a Governance & Democracy Program Lead to serve, inform, grow, and strengthen our network of forward-thinking US mayors. MIP is a national, nonpartisan peer learning network for US mayors that seeks to advance equity, sustainability, and responsive democratic governance in cities. We seek a mid-career individual with a deep commitment to public service to serve as our inaugural Governance & Democracy Program Lead. This individual will manage a portfolio of work that includes partnerships and programs that center race, gender, and authentic engagement, and lead leadership development work focused on newly elected mayors and women mayors. In addition, the individual will collaborate with our small team on routine, ongoing planning, outreach, and communications efforts that support the broader network.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape local government policy and to support the next generation of local leaders. In this role, you will work directly with a small, established team and with our national Steering Committee of US mayors while directing and growing this piece of our program.

The Governance & Democracy Program Lead will build and maintain relationships with US mayors in our network, design programs that strengthen the network, and help expand MIP’s reach and impact. This includes planning and facilitating peer-learning sessions, engaging mayors and former mayors to update and deliver our New Mayors Cohort curriculum, cultivating and strengthening relationships with national partners, participating in planning for our two annual meetings, and contributing to communications such as policy memos and blogs. The role reports to and works closely with the Managing Director to align outreach with MIP’s outreach and technical assistance, track engagement across cities, and identify new opportunities for program growth.

MIP staff typically work onsite at UW-Madison. A hybrid work schedule is a possibility. Some national travel, approximately 2-4 times per year, is required.

This position is a 1-year appointment with the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitive insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.