Education Associate

Position Summary NCPERS seeks a proactive, organized Education Associate for its nine-person staff supporting U.S. and Canadian state and local public pensions. With the Senior Director of Operations, the Associate plans, delivers, and evaluates events, webinars, and other education. The role guides speakers, facilitators, moderators, and committees to deliver timely, relevant content meeting member needs and organizational goals. Events occur in March, May, June, July, August, September, and October, plus monthly webinars. Overlapping programs require eagerness to learn, detail, competing priority management, and ownership through follow-up in a fast-paced office. Reports to : Senior Director of Operations Key Responsibilities Program Development and Planning Establish, maintain, and improve timelines and procedures with the Senior Director of Operations. Identify learning needs and emerging pension issues through members, research, evaluations, program directors, and subject matter experts. Develop agendas, titles, descriptions, and learning objectives; recommend formats and adult learning approaches supporting participation and practical application. Manage the annual webinar schedule, balancing timely topics, member interests, and the education calendar. Maintain speaker trackers and planning documents; track deadlines and outstanding items; report progress and delays to the supervisor and relevant departments. Develop educational offerings, resources, program concepts, and delivery options. Create and maintain program and speaker evaluations; analyze feedback to assess effectiveness, improve programs, and meet member needs. Collaborate with Communications on promotion and featured sessions/speakers; proofread marketing emails for accuracy and content consistency. Ensure Membership applies event and education benefits accurately. Speaker Coordination Manage Call for Speakers requirements, deadlines, proposal tracking, and communications; review proposals and recommend speakers with the supervisor. Recruit speakers and moderators representing diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Serve as primary speaker liaison from invitation through follow-up; coordinate confirmations, presentation deadlines, and session requirements. Host planning calls with speakers, moderators, committees, and educational partners. Review presentations and materials for relevance, accuracy, and NCPERS guidelines; coordinate revisions and speaker preparation. Ensure Membership registers speakers appropriately. Program Delivery and Educational Materials Manage preparation of University program books, agendas, and educational materials. Manage in-person and virtual educational components with the supervisor. Support onsite sessions, track speakers/moderators and timing, and coordinate presentation materials and requirements with production. Coordinate webinar registration, presenter management, technical preparation, recordings, and participant resources. Prepare and proofread agendas, descriptions, biographies, presentations, and content for websites, books, apps, and other channels. Organize files and provide attendee presentations, recordings, and resources as appropriate. Maintain accurate app agendas, descriptions, speaker information, presentations, and resources. Continuing Education Administer NAF, coordinating instructor schedules, course materials, participant communications, and delivery. Maintain the NAF database, process accreditation renewals, track requirements and deadlines, and issue communications and certificates. Verify attendance/eligibility, calculate and apply approved credits to attendee profiles, maintain records, and answer credit/certificate inquiries. Monitor education/accreditation requirements; recommend improvements and assess additional approvals or accreditation with the supervisor. First 90 Days Expectations 30 Days Know NCPERS’ education portfolio and work structure. Know the mission, member audiences, and their educational needs. Know each major program’s purpose, audience, format, and schedule. Understand the role, departmental relationships, and small-staff expectations for ownership, communication, and follow-through. Know speaker selection, agenda development, communications, delivery, and evaluation processes. 60 Days Know processes for routine responsibilities. Know speaker communication, agreement, preparation, material, and follow-up requirements. Understand how to navigate the AMS platform and webinar process. Understand NAF participation, renewal, recordkeeping, and certificate procedures. Know continuing education approval, attendance verification, credit assignment, and inquiry procedures. Answer routine questions; recognize issues requiring guidance or approval. 90 Days Know how to manage assigned programs independently, meet timelines, complete follow-up, and exercise sound judgment. Understand the program cycle; anticipate needs, identify missing information, and recognize deadline or quality risks. Understand public pension terminology, key topics, and differing trustee and pension professional needs. Assess topics, speakers, and formats for relevance, educational value, and alignment with NCPERS’ goals. Know NAF and continuing education processes; answer standard questions independently and recognize exceptions requiring review. Know when to decide, consult colleagues, or seek supervisor approval, and the information needed. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and relevant experience. Five or more years in education program management, particularly in an association, nonprofit, retirement, or investment setting. At least three years of progressively responsible professional education development/coordination, owning planning, delivery, and evaluation. Large meeting and in-person conference/event education experience, including speaker preparation, materials, onsite support, and follow-up. Experience coordinating subject matter experts, committees, or program directors and maintaining productive relationships. Strong project management and organization; multitasking, concurrent program/deadline management, accurate records, and limited daily supervision. Excellent writing, editing, and speaking skills; clear session descriptions and confident communication with senior leaders and external partners. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with webinar, event, and database platforms. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and ability to anticipate needs, adapt to changing priorities, and solve problems under pressure. Initiative, reliability, and eagerness to learn; ability to work independently, collaborate across a small team, and remain productive remotely and in the office. Core Competencies and Work Expectations Ownership and follow-through: Own projects through completion, track outstanding items, and finish follow-up. Deliver accurate work on time without repeated reminders. Initiative and willingness to learn: Move work forward, ask thoughtful questions, apply feedback, and build independence. Embrace broad responsibilities and hands-on work. Organization and attention to detail: Track deadlines, materials, records, and next steps reliably. Review accuracy and completeness while managing multiple priorities. Adaptability and performance under pressure: Keep pace, adjust priorities, and stay focused and professional. Raise concerns early and resolve issues before deadlines or quality suffer. Collaboration and team contribution: Work independently, keep colleagues informed, and coordinate with leadership, staff, speakers, vendors, and service providers. Share information and support shared deadlines and events. Process improvement: Recommend practical improvements to workflows, templates, tracking systems, and procedures; help implement approved changes. Work Schedule and Travel Staff currently work two days weekly in the downtown Washington, DC office and remotely otherwise. Productivity and responsiveness in both settings, domestic travel about six times annually, and occasional evening/weekend program work are required. Compensation and Benefits Annual salary: $65,000 to $70,000, plus eligibility for performance-based bonuses. Benefits include a defined benefit pension; a 5% employer match to a 401(k); fully paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; 14 paid holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day; 24 PTO days and three sick days; a hybrid schedule; and a modern, Metro-accessible downtown office with amenities including a gym. NCPERS values racial and gender equity, diversity, inclusion, and diverse teams’ experiences and perspectives in solving 21st-century problems. To Apply Send your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you would be a strong fit to Cassandra Smoot at About NCPERS A Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving local, county, and state pension leaders since 1941, NCPERS represents over 650 public sector retirement systems, plan sponsors, unions, and service providers managing approximately $6 trillion for more than 20 million public servants. NCPERS empowers pension leaders with skills, strategies, and networks for current and future challenges. Its 11 annual in-person conferences and summits, year-round webinars, advocacy, and research provide education, fiduciary training, tools, operational resources, and partnerships to share practical solutions, lead confidently, and safeguard retirement security. National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems