Project Manager

JOB TITLE: Project Manager

PROGRAM: Elections & Redistricting

LOCATION: Denver-Hybrid

SALARY: $90,061 annually

STATUS: Full-time

ABOUT NCSL:

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL's mission is purposeful - strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation's most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Project Manager is responsible for managing distinct project(s) and people within a larger portfolio for NCSL's Elections and Redistricting program. The Elections and Redistricting Program is a group of motivated, fun and flexible people dedicated to tracking state policy developments, strengthening their expertise on evolving topics, sharing evidence-based information with state legislators, legislative staff and other audiences, and supporting state legislators, staff and the legislative institution.

This position manages project activities and deadlines; plans, assigns, and reviews work of others and manages one or more subordinate staff. This position maintains a high level of issue area expertise in at least some of the following topics: election administration, campaign finance, redistricting, state government, initiative and referendum processes and state politics, while focusing on project and staff management. The Project Manager works closely with and under the supervision of an Associate Director or Director.

All work completed by NCSL, and by extension the Elections and Redistricting program, is nonpartisan and does not advocate for any policy outcomes.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Organizes, plans, manages, and coordinates work across one or more distinct projects within a larger program or portfolio.
• Coordinates the activities of the project with other staff throughout the program and organization as needed. Manages, delegates or personally handles a wide range of research, writing, publications, trainings, or technical assistance tasks.
• Maintains subject matter expertise on issues relevant to the project(s), such as election administration, campaign finance, redistricting, the census, ethics in state government and initiative and referendum processes.
• Assists legislators and legislative staff directly and provides oversight and guidance of other professional staff on assisting legislators and staff with their research and information needs.
• Works on or oversees complex, large-scale projects relevant to the project(s) and/or issue areas. Designs and leads or oversees and reviews the work of other professional staff on complex projects, while demonstrating an understanding of political context and judgments and a high degree of responsiveness to legislators and legislative staff.
• Independently plans, organizes and conducts, or oversees other staff in executing nonpartisan technical assistance programs, meetings, webinars, and educational sessions.
• Creates substantive, engaging and interactive presentations or trainings for legislators, legislative staff, and others with the ability to respond to questions. Oversees and assists other professional staff providing presentations and developing these skills.
• Writes skillfully and with minimal need for editing for a full range of publications. Reviews, edits, and provides feedback on the substance and quality of the work of other project staff.
• May coordinate, manage and facilitate the work of a standing committee, task force, professional staff association, or subcommittees and maintains effective relations with key legislators and legislative staff involved as needed.
• May assist or lead ongoing funder communication as relevant to related project(s), such as project updates, emails, and conference calls. Participates and assists directors in developing select project budgets, goals, and priorities.
• Assists in identifying new funding sources, as relevant. May assist in negotiating with funders concerning new projects, including budget, deliverables, and schedules. May initiate, assign, review and coordinate proposal research and writing of other staff.
• Travel domestically for meetings, technical assistance, and other project activities as needed.
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:

On a continuing basis, serves as the supervisor for 1-3 staff. May also plan, assign and review the work of other staff who contribute to the projects under the project manager's oversight.

• Supervises, supports, and coaches 1-3 staff members.
• Oversees the daily work of other staff and the workflow of assigned projects, monitoring the work for quality, timeliness, and adherence to member needs and expectations and contract, grant or other project specifications.
• Assists in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training new staff.
• Monitors staff performance, provides constructive and timely feedback and employee evaluations and recommends personnel actions to high-level managers.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT: This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus six years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field.
• Subject-specific expertise and proven leadership in areas such as election administration, campaign finance, redistricting, the census, ethics in state government or initiative and referendum processes.
• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills and the ability to clearly and credibly communicate information to a variety of audiences.
• Strong people and relationship-building skills, such as the ability to function as both a member and leader of a small team and the ability to develop strong relationships with teammates.
• Excellent ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, funders, an established national network of professional contacts, and others.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Competence in a wide range of policy and legislative analysis skills, including experience translating and analyzing complex data, writing publications, and presenting findings.
• Demonstrated skill and competence in project management, including organizing project work; managing deadlines; and assigning, overseeing, and/or completing project tasks. Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan meetings and manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of powers between the branches of government.
• At least two years of experience supervising or managing others. Skill and competence in the basic supervision skills of planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating work.
• Critically reviews one's own work, as well as the work of others, and independently initiates improvements or refinements.
• Ability to travel by air up to 12 times per year, with most trips being 1-3 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel.

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:

NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:

If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get - submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, January 29, 2025 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/ncsl-careers.aspx. We are looking forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.