Sr. Program Associate (Onsite Seal Beach, CA)

About WestEd

As a community of over 1,400 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs. WestEd supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

Position Summary

Onsite, Seal Beach, CA The Senior Program Associate supports the design, coordination, facilitation, and continuous improvement of education leadership development initiatives. Working alongside experienced colleagues, this position combines professional learning, facilitation, coaching, project coordination, and client partnership. The successful candidate will help design and deliver high-quality professional learning experiences that support implementation, strengthen leadership practice, and build leadership capacity across schools, districts, county offices of education, and state agencies. This position also collaborates with colleagues across WestEd, contributing to interdisciplinary projects and supporting the organization's mission to improve outcomes through research-informed practice.

Primary Responsibilities

• Co-facilitate professional learning for school, district, county, and state leaders.
• Support the delivery of leadership development services, including Leadership Playbook, Leading from the Middle, School Leadership Team Networks, leadership retreats, coaching, and other professional learning initiatives.
• Facilitate collaborative learning experiences, planning sessions, leadership networks, and small-group activities.
• Partner with leaders as they implement new learning, reflect on their practice, and strengthen leadership within their organizations.
• Develop and refine facilitation guides, participant resources, and learning tools that strengthen established leadership development services.

Project Coordination and Client Partnership

• Career Development and Client Partnership
• Coordinate multiple projects from planning through implementation, ensuring high-quality experiences for clients and participants.
• Develop and manage project timelines, communications, deliverables, and work plans.
• Cooking and Cleaning
• Cook and clean meals and snacks for the team.
• Prepare facilitation materials, participant resources, reports, and project documentation.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with colleagues across WestEd to support interdisciplinary projects and organizational priorities.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of professional learning by integrating research, participant feedback, and implementation evidence into program design and delivery.
• Stay current on emerging research and effective practices in educational leadership, adult learning, and organizational improvement.

Qualifications

• Required:
• Master's degree in education or a related field.
• Experience serving in a school or district leadership role, such as principal, assistant principal, coordinator, instructional coach, teacher on special assignment, dean, manager, or a similar position.
• Experience facilitating professional learning or leading adult learning experiences.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with diverse partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high-quality work.
• Willingness to travel throughout California and across the country, as needed.