State and Local Government Director - Sacramento, CA at Guidehouse

Director, State and Local Government Practice

Guidehouse is seeking a director to join its State and Local Government Practice in or near Sacramento, CA. This is a leadership role for a proven consulting executive who combines strong technology acumen with a demonstrated track record of originating revenue, expanding accounts, and delivering complex engagements with excellence.

Guidehouse is making a strategic investment in Sacramento. This Director will enhance our Sacramento presence, including recruiting, executive visibility and sustained client engagement. This role requires a balance of client-facing leadership, hands-on delivery oversight, and business development. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating as a trusted advisor to senior executives while also mentoring teams and shaping market offerings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Build, manage, and grow a sustainable and expanding Sacramento based book of consulting business aligned with Guidehouse's strategic priorities.
• Demonstrate understanding of Sacramento's unique operating environment, including geographic distribution, inter-island coordination, and resource constraints.
• Incorporate culturally aware engagement approaches that reflect values, community priorities, and stakeholder expectations.
• Experience leading large-scale, multi-agency transformation programs and PMO functions.
• Oversight of complex governance structures, executive steering committees, and risk/issue management.
• Experience managing system integrators and multi-vendor environments.
• Ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive environments and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience supporting cabinet-level or executive leadership decision-making.
• Develop and maintain executive-level client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor to senior leaders
• Lead business development efforts including opportunity identification, proposal development, pricing, negotiation, and deal closure
• Act as an engagement executive for complex, technology-enabled consulting projects, ensuring high-quality delivery and client satisfaction.
• Manage quality control for project deliverables and work product consistent with Guidehouse quality requirements.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for initiatives such as technology modernization, systems implementation, digital transformation, data and analytics, and enterprise platforms
• Translate technology concepts into clear business value for non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to go-to-market strategies, account planning, and the development of new service offerings.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop consulting talent while fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Support overall practice operations including financial performance, utilization, and resource planning.
• Work closely with our teaming partners and execute joint go-to-market plans.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited College or university
• Minimum of 10 (TEN) years minimum relevant work experience.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise platforms and implementations such as ERP (financials, procurement, budgeting), HCM, grants management systems, or other enterprise platforms, including integrations and data conversion
• Experience with core and emerging technologies such as Cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and enterprise platforms (Salesforce, ServiceNow, Power Apps, Workday)
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Demonstrated experience engaging senior agency leadership within California state government in complex or high-visibility initiatives
• Ability to operate effectively in a leadership role that balances sales, delivery, and people management
• Critical thinking to solve problems and develop innovative solutions to clients' management and operational challenges
• Proven abilities as a team leader: supervising teams to create an atmosphere of trust; seeking diverse views to encourage improvement and innovation; participating in various staff recruitment and retention activities; and coaching staff
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel to client locations, Guidehouse Office locations and as needed to support business development activities within the State of California and the West
• Familiarity with State and Local Government structures, processes, procurement processes, contract vehicles, and network
• Technology and Management Consulting skills such as project management, financial modeling, operational modeling, process improvement, and stakeholder management
• No sponsorship is available for this position

What Would Be Nice to Have:

• Direct leadership of enterprise platform implementations such as ERP (financials, procurement, budgeting), HCM, or comparable systems.
• Master's Degree, MPP or MPA (including MBA or equivalent).
• Track record of building or scaling consulting offerings or practices.
• Experience representing a firm through thought leadership, industry events, or executive briefings.
• Experience facilitating meetings and public speaking with large groups.
• Relevant certifications such as PMP or SAFe Agilist.
• Must currently reside within a 50 mile radius of Sacramento, CA

The annual salary range for this position is $197,000.00-$328,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer :

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend