Project Manager - Housing Policy (50346)

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES • Denver, CO

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

NCSL’s Denver-based Children and Families Program is looking for an experienced policy professional to manage a body of work focused primarily on state policies addressing housing supply and affordability. This person will join an interdisciplinary team of state policy professionals working on major issues affecting child, family and societal well-being. 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 state 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 state 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.

Requirements

• 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 housing supply and affordability policies.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding the connections with homelessness, economic security and child and family well-being is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and manage a portfolio of grant-funded projects focused on policies and systems addressing housing supply and affordability.
• Develop and share subject-matter expertise with legislators and legislative staff, primarily on matters related to state policies addressing housing supply and affordability.
• Plan, manage and/or self-execute grant-funded projects.
• Oversee or complete 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager