Senior Program Specialist

JOB TITLE: Senior Program Specialist

PROGRAM: Operations

LOCATION: Denver, CO -Hybrid

SALARY: $73,232 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 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:

The Senior Program Specialist serves as a joint member of the Operations team and team that services NCSL's Executive Committee. The position is responsible for supporting the Chief Operations Officer, Vice President of Leadership and International Program and key leadership team members with advancing the mission and values of NCSL. This creative and entrepreneurial position requires a person who is a detailed self-starter that can work effectively with internal and external stakeholders and manage large complex projects. The role operates with a high level of organizational expertise, confidentiality, and political acumen.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Independently researches, prioritizes, and follows up on issues and concerns, as assigned, assisting in determining an appropriate course of action, referral, or response.
• Provide project management leadership and support for complex, large cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Work closely with high-level, key stakeholders across the organization to improve and scale our operational processes and initiatives.
• Assist with using data and staff feedback to identify, prioritize and implement operational initiatives that have high internal and external ROI.
• Collaborate with leadership across the organization to leverage internal relationships, identify needs, share findings, and engage key stakeholders in decision making, and follow-up conversations as appropriate.
• Prioritize conflicting needs; handles issues expeditiously, proactively, and follow through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.
• Maintain high-level understanding of internal process and maintain basic knowledge of day-to-day processes of departments/programs across the organization.
• Assist in facilitating a culture of openness, transparency, and communicativeness to maximize the effectiveness of the NCSL's leadership team.
• Coordinate and serve as a lead point of communication for the Executive Committee meetings, as well as Executive Committee meeting logistics, including on site management.
• Maintain a pulse on current and evolving organizational needs.
• Demonstrated ability to set realistic expectations, manage follow-up in a timely and professional manner, achieve target results and strengthen internal organizational relationships.
• Identifies opportunities for organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Critically reviews one's own work and independently initiates improvements or refinements to processes.
• Represent the COO at key internal events and meetings to elevate and promote NCSL mission and internal operating values.
• Provides general administrative support for the division with exceptional attention to detail.
• Travels domestically for meetings, technical assistance and other project activities as needed.
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

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 five years of relevant work experience.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
• 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.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work well under pressure, in a highly cross-functional and cross-collaborative environment.
• Excellent customer services skills, with the ability to response quickly with an eye toward effective and positive problem-solving.
• Deep analytical skills, both in highly complex technical environments and process-oriented organizations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to take initiative, multi-task, be a team-player, be flexible, adapt to shifting priorities, and prioritize work.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with different stakeholder groups and confidently advocate, influence, and negotiate across various levels of the organization.
• A strong sense of ownership with proven ability to learn new concepts quickly.
• Ability to travel by air up to 4 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 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 19, 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.