Project Manager, Elections Administration Policy

The Council of State Governments (CSG) is the nation's only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy, offering unparalleled regional, national, and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate, and create problem-solving partnerships.

About the role

The Project Manager provides oversight of programs and services to engage and support CSG members with resources for interstate collaboration and effective public policy and programming. This includes project development, project management, member outreach and coordination, staff supervision (when applicable), and supporting the fulfillment of CSG National Policy goals and objectives. The Project Manager works within the CSG National Policy team to support, monitor, promote, and improve state utilization and understanding of CSG policy and technical assistance resources, with a specific focus on elections administration policy among other projects as assigned. This opportunity is based in the Lexington, KY office but offers flexibility to work from home part of the work week. Start dates may be accommodated through December 1, 2026, to allow qualified candidates to fulfill any 2026 election-related responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Work with states and national policy experts to assess the policy and technical assistance needs for assigned policy portfolio within the states.
• Manage the portfolio of assigned projects, including budget and workplan development, financial management, coordination of all activities, committee deliverables, subcontractors, and working groups.
• Lead assigned projects and seek, with member and management guidance, to create new programs, partnerships, and relationships.
• Manage and conduct research and policy analysis.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to staff, conduct performance evaluations, and give timely feedback.
• Manage projects to achieve promised outcomes in a timely manner with a commitment to integrity and excellence.
• Ensure all project deliverables reflect quality and are delivered on-time according to project timelines.
• Develop and disseminate policy research deliverables, programming, initiatives, and meetings in support of CSG’s mission.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, funders, board members, consultants, partner organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the CSG communications team to expand knowledge about the assigned policy portfolio and serve as a resource for policy content.
• Adhere to all legal and funder requirements to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, contractual terms, and CSG policies.
• Forge effective partnerships with state and federal officials to enhance the impact and success of CSG members’ policy priorities.
• Manage and perform project proposal research, writing, grants management, budget oversight, and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with the communications team to manage the active content of relevant project webpages, including news updates, legislative tracking, online resource libraries, and project databases.
• Develop and coordinate programming for CSG meetings, national, regional, and affiliated organization meetings.
• Interact with national organizations, researchers, and policy experts on collaborative projects.
• Collaborate with regional staff to provide CSG members with insights and information about pertinent policy issues.
• Prepare concise and accurate written responses to requests for information.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to policymakers, national organizations, or other forums.
• Plan, organize, and conduct relevant meetings by arranging speakers, identifying topics, supporting logistical planning, and preparing information.

Requirements

• Six years of technical assistance, project management, policy analysis, or operational experience in public policy or a related field.
• Experience working in elections administration policy strongly preferred.
• Experience directly supervising and managing staff.
• Proven project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of state and federal policy issues.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and managing policy projects and programming.
• Demonstrated financial management experience.
• Relevant and progressive work experience in state or federal government, a public policy organization, and/or membership association.
• Experience delivering technical assistance preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of general state and federal government policy, with specific emphasis on election administration preferred.
• Demonstrated success working in the policy arena in policy formulation, analysis, advocacy, and/or research.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and critical-thinking skills to work effectively with state officials, including high-level executive, legislative, and judicial officials.
• Ability to work with leading experts in state policy, including researchers, policy experts, program providers, and professional associations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through policy topics, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and general writing such as correspondence, memos, and articles.
• Knowledge and experience in project financial management and compliance with federal grants and contractual terms.
• Ability to effectively manage, coach, and empower project staff and external partnerships.
• Ability to address issues in nonpartisan and non-polarizing ways.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle politically sensitive work.
• Demonstrated ability to present complex information concisely.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including self-awareness, sensitivity, and valuing others.
• Dedication to public service with a commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan, and responsibly steward member and donor funds.
• Well-organized, clear-thinking, energetic, and decisive; able to take initiative, work independently, and collaboratively.
• Ability to prioritize multiple complex activities and responsibilities and see them through to completion.
• Demonstrated research, writing, and editing skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently.

Benefits

CSG offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility.

Pay

The salary range for this position, based in Lexington, KY, is $75,000 to $85,000. This range is subject to change based on work location and market conditions.