Project Manager

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 consecutive days every six (6) weeks. 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 for four days every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development. ABOUT THE ROLE NCSL’s Denver-based Children and Families Program is looking for an experienced policy professional to manage a comprehensive body of work focused on policies and systems addressing the well-being of children and families. The project manager will lead and execute cross-cutting projects focused on early childhood, child welfare and the prevention of child maltreatment, including connections to economic security, housing and homelessness. The project manager oversees or directly executes deliverables, manages staff and coordinates closely with colleagues, communicates with funders and serves a nonpartisan policy expert. This position requires relevant policy expertise; exemplary project management and organizational skills, including leading interdisciplinary collaborations across teams; policy research, writing and editing and event planning. You can expect to have frequent contact with legislators, legislative staff, funders and other partner organizations. This, and all positions at NCSL, are responsible for contributing to a culture of innovation and excellence and ensuring NCSL’s work is completed in an objective, neutral and nonpartisan manner. The project manager will report to an associate director and may supervise one or more team members. WHAT YOU’LL DO Plan, organize and manage a portfolio of projects focused on policies and systems addressing early childhood, child welfare and the prevention of child maltreatment, including connections to economic security, housing and homelessness. Develop and share subject‑matter expertise with legislators and legislative staff, primarily on matters related to early childhood, child welfare and the prevention of child maltreatment, including connections to economic security, housing and homelessness. Plan, manage and/or self‑execute projects, including policy research, writing, educational sessions/meetings, podcasts and technical assistance. Create relevant, substantive and engaging educational opportunities for legislators and legislative staff. Write skillfully and with minimal need for editing. Review, edit and provide feedback on the substance and quality of the work of other staff. Demonstrate a high degree of political acumen, judgment and responsiveness to legislators and legislative staff. Maintain productive relationships with legislators and legislative staff, regardless of party affiliation or political ideology. Guide and support the work and professional development of other NCSL staff. Participate in developing project priorities, goals and budgets. Lead or support communication with funding partners. Travel domestically for meetings, technical assistance and professional development opportunities. Supervise, support and coach interns and potentially up to three staff, including planning, assigning and reviewing their work. Monitoring the work of others for quality, timeliness and adherence to member needs and expectations, as well as contract, grant or other project specifications. Provide constructive and timely feedback, participate in employee evaluations and recommend personnel actions to more senior‑level managers. Assist with hiring and training new staff. Perform other responsibilities as needed. SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE 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 for four days every six (6) weeks 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 6 years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field. Strong knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of powers between the branches of government. Competence in project management, including organizing and delegating work and managing multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously. Subject‑matter expertise related to early childhood, child welfare and the prevention of child maltreatment. Understanding the connections with economic security, housing and homelessness is a plus. Competence in translating complex information into easy‑to‑understand resources for policymakers. Strong writing, editing and presentation skills and the ability to clearly and credibly communicate with a variety of audiences. Experience planning in‑person and online meetings, conference sessions and webinars for audiences of various sizes. Strong people and relationship‑building skills and the ability to function as both a member and leader of a small team. Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with legislators, legislative staff, funders and other professionals. At least two years of experience supervising or managing others and competence in planning, assigning, reviewing and evaluating work. Experience critically reviewing your own work, as well as reviewing and editing the work of others. Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required. Ability to travel by air up to 6‑8 times per year, with most trips being 1‑3 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events or 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 every six (6) weeks. 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 every six (6) weeks 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, November 26, 2025 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr