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.
JOB TITLE: International Project Manager
PROGRAM: Leaders and International Program
LOCATION: Denver, CO
SALARY: $7,150 p/month
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.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Are you looking for meaningful work and like to travel? Do you have experience working with individuals from other countries? The International Project Manager is an exciting opportunity for someone interested in being engaged in a dynamic and vibrant organization! It entails working with international partners, professionals and committed elected officials while contributing to the ongoing development of the international program at NCSL. This position includes travel up to 33%, including domestic and international sites and also includes periodic facilitation of seminars and workshops, and presenting at conferences and programs.
The International Project Manager will serve as the key lead for NCSL’s International Program, housed under the Leadership, Training and International department. The International Program is a department that serves U.S. state legislators and legislative staff by providing information exchange with national and sub-national governments around the world. This person will provide leadership, ideas and support to NCSL’s international program and cultivate an atmosphere of collegiality and accountability for continuous program development and international partnerships.
NCSL seeks a creative and committed team member who can advance the organization’s international programs and continue and develop key relationships with international partners. The International Project Manager ensures consistently high standards in relationship building, identifying funding resources, providing connections between state legislators and staff and international counterparts and managing program costs while managing distinct projects. The position reports to the Division Director, works in tandem with several other departments, and may supervise an associate.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Covers and executes assignments related to the International Program. Provides effective leadership as well as backup support to the division director and takes a primary role on projects involving multiple programs.
- Builds international relationships with existing and potential partners (including embassies, subnational governments and NGOs). Research opportunities for NCSL’s international growth. Find overlapping partnership opportunities with NCSL international program and other programs in the organization.
- Frequently and routinely is delegated priority assignments which include those that are politically sensitive, critically important, quickly needed or have the potential for damaging the organization's reputation if not handled well.
- Plans, develops and conducts meetings for NCSL’s international registrants, including budget, logistics and unique needs of NCSL’s international partners.
- Understands international travel restrictions, demands, visas and international etiquette.
- Understands and constantly tracks international elections and changes on the international stage (particularly with NCSL partners).
- Works on and oversees complex, large-scale, multistate/country research efforts, sometimes requiring sensitive political judgments, a high degree of responsiveness to constituents, and a mature sense of organization priorities and concerns. Maintains subject matter expertise on issues relevant to the projects. This person will become an expert in sister organizations to NCSL as well as international political structures.
- Writes skillfully and with minimal need for editing (articles, emails, memos, invitations) for a range of publications.
- Facilitates the work of the NCSL International Task Force/network and must maintain effective relationships with state legislators and staff serving in this network.
- Creates substantive, engaging and interactive presentations or trainings for international delegations.
- Independently manages, staffs or coordinates the work of others. Identifies opportunities for new projects in assigned area. May supervise an associate.
- Independently identifies and develops relations with new funding sources. This position is partially to fully grant funded and new or continued application to grants is a necessary role for the project manager.
- Performs other responsibilities as needed.
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:
On a continuing basis, plans, assigns and reviews the work of other staff who contribute to the projects under the project manager’s oversight.
- May supervise, support, and coach 1-3 staff members.
- May oversee 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.
- May assist in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training new staff.
- May monitor staff performance, provide constructive and timely feedback and employee evaluations and recommend personnel actions to high-level managers.
THE WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position is a mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Team members utilize standard office equipment such as copy machines, laptops, printers, scanners, and smartphones. Expand your horizons with travel opportunities to network with lawmakers and staff across the country (includes overnights and weekends by airplane). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
- Bachelor's degree plus six years of work experience with state legislatures, government, international entities, public policy or other relevant field.
- Subject-specific expertise and proven leadership in assigned area.
- 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.
- 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, ability to function as both a member and leader of a team and the ability to develop strong relationships with teammates.
- Excellent ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, funders, an established international 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.
- 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 30% of the time, with trips being as long as 7-8 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel.
YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:
Our employees are the foundation to our success, so we are committed to offering a full range of benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners. Striking a healthy balance between work and personal life is important. Our total rewards package includes resources to support well-being and no cost benefits to help make life a little bit easier.
- Flexible, remote work options including the ability to telework up to 4 days a week
- Health insurance (HMO 90% covered by NCSL), Dental insurance (Employee only covered 100%), Low cost vision benefits
- 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% employer contribution after 6 months and full vesting.
- 457b retirement plans with pre and post-tax options
- 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience with another employer and generous sick leave
- Paid holidays including 4 additional days per year to use at your preference
- Paid family and parental leave
- FSA and Dependent Care Accounts
- Professional development through LinkedIn Learning
- Paid time off to volunteer
- Aflac hospital advantage, critical illness, and accident plans
- Discounted 24-hour fitness memberships and RTD / metro bus & train passes
- Pet insurance with multiple options to fit your budget
- Benefits provided at no cost:
- 2x annual salary life insurance and long term disability;
- Employee Assistance Program provides confidential, 24/7 support for employees and dependents;
- Health Advocate for employees and their family members to simplify the healthcare experience including resources to support your health and well-being;
- IDX Identity Theft and Privacy Protection (Employee only covered with options to add dependents);
- Benefit Hub: discover local savings from merchants in your neighborhood, including movie tickets, hotels, restaurants, shops, and more.
- Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates
HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:
A career with NCSL offers exciting opportunities to grow your career in line with your aspirations. We gladly invite you to apply for this role by including a resume and cover letter here, before 5pm MST September 28, 2021. 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.
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