The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and legislative staff of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. NCSL’s mission is to serve state legislatures and other intergovernmental groups by providing support, promoting fresh ideas, connecting legislators and staff with experts and each other, and provide a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system. Since its founding in 1975, NCSL's staff has grown from 15 employees to over 150 employees in its offices in Denver, CO and Washington, D.C.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Director of State Services directs the activities of the NCSL State Services division, which includes the Center for Legislative Strengthening, Dept. of Fiscal Affairs, Dept. of Redistricting and Elections, Dept. of Leaders Services & Training, and the Dept. of Legislative Staff Services. This position provides advice and consultation to the Executive Director, NCSL officers, and Executive Committee on a broad range of programmatic and administrative policy issues. The Director participates in the overall goal setting and management of the organization. As a member of executive-level management, the Director of State Services develops strategic plans and budgets to implement organizational goals and policies, allocates staff and financial resources, and establishes programmatic priorities, policies, and performance standards. The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with a history of developing a positive, performance-based culture and a commitment to achieving goals. S/he must have an aptitude for team work, visionary thinking to lead a team, a desire to continuously learn, excel at managing and empowering people to achieve positive results and have legislative experience with a passion for the vision and mission of the organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Directs division staff in implementing programs and achieving organization objectives; oversees program directors and managers in their efforts to carry out projects and activities;
Oversees the development and implementation of new projects, initiatives, policies, and programs; ensures that all division activities meet NCSL standards of quality and operate within financial, administrative and policy guidelines;
Represents NCSL and maintains relationships with other national organizations or in national forums as assigned by the Executive Director; and maintains relationships with expert academics, state and federal policymakers, and others to further the organization's goals, interests, and programs;
Reports to and advises the Executive Director, NCSL officers and Executive Committee on division programs and activities; participates in executive-level management meetings, departmental staff meetings and organization-wide meetings.
Makes recommendations to the Executive Director on personnel and budget matters affecting the division; evaluates and acts on the recommendations of lower-level managers;
Coordinates inter-divisional programs and activities with other Division Directors;
Conducts high-level analysis on priority projects of NCSL; may personally manage complex projects or technical assistance on priority or cross-cutting issues;
Provides expertise to NCSL officers and Executive Committee in assigned areas; acts as head staff person to the Executive Committee and its subcommittees;
Creates and initiates new programs and services, including reviewing applicable grant funds;
Provides expertise as a skilled presenter to legislatures and other key NCSL constituencies;
Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
On a continuing basis, plans and manages the work of management, professional, technical and support personnel within a division. Participates in organization-wide management. S/he supervises national experts on topics related to state legislatures. Advises, collaborates with and conducts performance evaluations and personnel management for group directors of the Center for Legislative Strengthening, Legislative Staff Services, Fiscal Affairs, Redistricting and Elections and Leaders’ Services and Legislative Training.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, copy machines, scanners and smartphones. This job requires travel at least 25% of the time including overnight and occasional weekends.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee may need to lift and carry objects up to 50 lbs. Requires the ability to travel locally, regionally and nationally, including overnight and weekends.
OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience and Education
The successful candidate will be a dynamic leader with an accomplished track record of 11 or more years of seasoned leadership as an executive in the governmental, non-profit or public sector with a minimum of four years in an executive-level management position. Bachelor’s Degree required. Post baccalaureate education is preferred and up to three years of graduate education (i.e., master's degree, professional degree, or doctoral degree) may be substituted for some of the required work experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellence in developing program initiatives, project ideas and new services, funding opportunities, and new resources.
Excellence in personnel, budget and project management.
Substantial knowledge and technical expertise in state legislatures and intergovernmental policy processes.
Exceptional writing, speaking, presentation, research, analytic and organizational skills.
Excellence in working effectively with legislators and legislative staff and dealing with politically sensitive constituencies.
Comfortable serving in a high-profile leadership role within a national organization.
A verifiable track record of success with short and long-range planning, program development, building a positive, performance-based culture and cultivating strategic relationships.
Skill in analyzing and organizing information and solving problems.
Skill in applicable conference software applications.
Able to maintain confidentiality and handle politically sensitive work.
Ability to work independently and within a fast-moving environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
Ability to work effectively on a team, both as a leader and as a member.
Ability to work under deadline pressure and adapt to changes in workload.
Ability to contribute to a positive workplace culture.
BENEFITS:
NCSL offers an outstanding benefits package including 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, paid leave, 35-hour work weeks, telework, pet insurance, discounted bus / train passes, in-office dry cleaning pick up, access to 24-hour fitness memberships, and more!
TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume highlighting skills and qualifications to: https://ncsl.applicantpro.com/jobs no later than Monday June 24, 2019.
NCSL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
About National Conference of State Legislatures
Since 1975, the National Conference of State Legislatures has been the bipartisan voice of legislators and legislative staff in the states, commonwealths and territories of the U.S. Our mission is to serve state legislatures by providing support, promoting fresh ideas, connecting legislators and staff with experts and each other, and providing a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.
Legislators and legislative staff turn to us for up-to-date, nonpartisan information on critical state legislative issues, including health care, budgets, elections, transportation, education and more. We work to protect state sovereignty and flexibility, fight against unfunded mandates and oppose unwarranted federal pre-emption of state authority. Our experts and their research are regularly cited by prominent national news outlets, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and NPR.
NCSL’s success depends on its dedicated and talented staff. Our staff serves a diverse community of legislators and legislative staff, and NCSL values a diverse workforce that reflects that community. We strive to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people by valuing their varied skills and ...experiences. Employees work in a challenging, often fast-paced environment where they assist legislators and legislative staff in their work to promote the common good of the citizens of the states.
