Director of Government Affairs Operations (US)

About UsAt Kooth, our mission is to create welcoming, accessible spaces for personalized digital mental health care that empowers young people to thrive. Grounded in an early-intervention model, we help youth aged 13–25 build resilience, access timely support, and lead fulfilling lives. We are more than a digital service — we are a movement for inclusive, evidence-informed mental health care.Our culture is rooted in our values: Alongside You, Flexible, Compassionate, Committed, and Safe. These guide everything we do - how we show up for young people, how we collaborate as a team, and how we build solutions that meet communities where they are. With Kooth, you’ll be part of something bigger than yourself: meaningful work with measurable impact.We bring this mission to life through Soluna, California’s first-in-the-nation digital behavioral health service for 13–25-year-olds. Soluna removes barriers to care by providing nearly immediate access to 1:1 coaching, Care Navigation, and self-guided tools helping young people find real support, build resilience, and discover hope when they need it most. Together with state and local partners, we’re transforming access to mental health support for youth. Learn more at solunaapp.com/impact.What We’re Looking ForThe Director of Government Affairs Operations is responsible for shaping and optimizing how Kooth accesses and secures public sector funding across the US, including grants, RFPs, and emerging funding pathways (e.g., settlement funding, state initiatives).This role ensures Kooth is strategically positioned, operationally prepared, and competitive in pursuing government-funded opportunities by leading submission execution, cross-functional coordination, and funding pathway development.Working in close partnership with US Sales Operations and Enablement resources, this role focuses specifically on how Kooth accesses and wins government-funded opportunities, ensuring we can sustainably expand access to care.While Sales Operations leads pipeline, forecasting, and infrastructure, and Sales Enablement drives seller capability and execution quality, this role ensures Kooth is positioned to unlock and secure funding that enables growth and impact.How You’ll Make an Impact: RFP, Grant & Procurement Execution (End-to-End Ownership)Own the full lifecycle of government funding opportunities, including RFPs, tenders, grants, and alternative funding submissionsLead narrative development, cross-functional coordination, submission, and quality controlEnsure all submissions are compliant, aligned to evaluation criteria, and delivered to a high standard under tight timelinesAct as the central orchestrator across US functions (Clinical, Legal, Finance, Product, Service Operations, Account Management)Proposal Strategy, Infrastructure & Continuous ImprovementBuild and scale a high-quality, repeatable approach to procurement submissionsDevelop and maintain templates, content libraries, and standardized workflowsDefine clear win themes and positioning strategies for government buyersContinuously improve submission quality through post-submission reviews and win/loss insightsEnsure consistency and scalability across US and UK marketsGovernment Funding Strategy & Legislative IntelligenceStrengthen how Kooth identifies and accesses funding pathwaysTrack and evaluate federal, state, and local funding opportunities, including grants and alternative funding streamsMonitor legislative and policy developments to anticipate market opportunitiesProvide clear, actionable insights to Commercial Leadership on funding access and risksEstablish structured processes for tracking, prioritization, and coordinated responseGo-to-Market Alignment for Public Sector OpportunitiesEnsure funding strategy, service design, and commercial approach are alignedPartner with Commercial Leadership on go/no-go decisions and bid strategyAlign funding requirements with service model design and commercial viabilityTranslate external funding dynamics into clear internal priorities and actionsContracting Readiness & ExecutionSupport a seamless transition from award to contract executionLead internal coordination from notice of award through contractingPartner with Legal and Finance to ensure timely, accurate, and commercially aligned contractsTrack key requirements, deliverables, and dependenciesEnable a smooth handoff to implementation and account managementCross-Functional Coordination & Operational ExcellenceDrive clarity and accountability across complex, high-stakes workAct as the central coordination point across Clinical, Legal, Finance, Product, Service Operations, and Account ManagementManage timelines, dependencies, and deliverables across concurrent submissionsEnsure high-quality outputs under pressure while maintaining a strong candidate and partner experienceRequirementsWhat You’ll Bring:Significant experience leading public sector procurement, RFPs, or grant funding processesStrong understanding of government funding and policy environments (US and/or UK)Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional submissions under tight timelinesExperience in healthcare, behavioral health, or public sector environments preferredExceptional project management, writing, and coordination skillsStrong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple high-priority workstreamsStrategic mindset with strong execution capabilityClear, compelling written communication and narrative development skillsCollaborative, solutions-oriented approachBenefitsWhat You’ll Get:Compensation: The base salary for this role is $140,000 to $150,000 annually plus bonus. We’re committed to transparency and value our candidates time, which is why we share salary ranges in all states—regardless of local requirements. Final compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including your education, experience, skills, and overall alignment with the role.Kooth offers a competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits including:Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage401(K) Retirement Plan with company matchGenerous Paid Time OffRemote-first flexibility and work-from-home supportPaid parental leave Learning & development opportunities 8 Paid Holidays, plus two half-day holidays (Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve)Equal Employment OpportunityKooth is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.Reasonable AccommodationsKooth is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other protected reasons under applicable law. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact our HR team.Ready to Join Us?If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and be part of a team that values purpose-driven work, apply today. Together, we’re shaping the future of digital mental health care.