Public sector leaders are essential to the economic stability of states and the health and well-being of their residents. They are responsible for administering billions of state and federal dollars, setting and managing strategic direction for public services, and navigating the complex web of state government and community relationships. Despite this critical role, there is scant investment in public sector leadership development.

This fact sheet outlines the Framework for Public Sector Leadership, which draws from both academic research and insights from leaders across the field, to serve as a guide for both public sector leaders and their teams, as well as rising leaders. This competencies-based framework was jointly developed by the Public Sector Leadership Consortium, a collaborative effort between the Center for Health Care Strategies, the Milbank Memorial Fund, and the National Association of Medicaid Directors. It is built on the core belief that leadership does not necessarily result from an individual’s formal position, but rather one rising to the occasion as a leader, regardless of where they sit within an organization.