Senior Program Specialist, Early Childhood

Who We Are

The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to strengthening local leadership, influencing federal policy, and driving innovative solutions to improve the quality of life in communities nationwide.

The Early Childhood Success (ECS) team supports municipal leaders and community partners in building equitable early childhood systems where children are nurtured, families are empowered, and educators are valued. Through leadership development, peer learning, and systems-building, ECS supports municipal leaders and community partners to advance equitable early childhood outcomes.

Job Overview

Consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the National League of Cities, the Senior Program Specialist supports the successful design, outreach, and administration of Early Childhood Success member programs and initiatives. The Senior Program Specialist serves as a subject-matter resource to raise awareness of key issues facing member cities and contributes to the development of tools, resources, and learning experiences that strengthen local early childhood systems.

Responsibilities

Program Administration & Implementation

• Support the design and implementation of ECS initiatives, including leadership cohorts, Communities of Practice, and technical assistance efforts.
• Develop and maintain work plans, timelines, and deliverables; track progress and ensure timely completion of program activities.
• Coordinate across internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to support effective program delivery.
• Respond to information requests from member cities, state municipal leagues, and partners.
• Support grant fulfillment, including tracking deliverables, preparing documentation, and contributing to reports.

City Engagement & Facilitation

• Plan, organize, and facilitate virtual and in-person meetings, peer learning sessions, and convenings.
• Lead and support group discussions, workshops, and presentations with municipal leaders and cross-sector partners.
• Build and maintain relationships with local elected officials, city staff, and community stakeholders.
• Provide responsive support and technical assistance to participating cities.

Program Research & Content Development

• Compile and analyze information on city practices, policies, and emerging trends to inform ECS work.
• Research and synthesize findings into reports, strategy guides, briefs, and other written products for municipal audiences.
• Prepare articles, blog posts, newsletters, and website content to elevate promising practices and lessons learned.
• Identify and utilize relevant data sources and research to strengthen program materials and recommendations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of early childhood policies, systems, and best practices.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Review program data and participant feedback to assess impact and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute recommendations to strengthen program effectiveness and better meet the needs of member cities.

Outreach & Field Engagement

• Represent NLC at national, regional, and state meetings and conferences, as appropriate.
• Support outreach efforts to increase awareness and participation in ECS initiatives.
• Maintain relationships with national partners and organizations in the early childhood field.

Content Expertise

• Knowledge of early child development (prenatal to age eight), including social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and language domains.
• Ability to analyze federal, state, and local policies and their impact on young children, families, and early childhood providers.
• Familiarity with child care licensing, funding mechanisms, and the regulatory environment (e.g., Head Start, state systems).
• Experience in coalition building and engaging with policymakers and national organizations.
• Experience advancing equitable policies for the early childhood workforce and low-income families.
• Understanding of local government roles and levers that impact early childhood systems, including funding, governance, and workforce supports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, early childhood, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in program implementation, policy, research, or systems-building.
• Experience working with local governments and/or cross-sector partnerships preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience conducting research and developing written products (e.g., reports, briefs, tools).
• Proficiency in MS Office and familiarity with CRM or project management systems; experience with data analysis tools preferred.

NLC COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESS

NLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons and to prohibiting discrimination because of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, status as a veteran, or any other protected status and/or conditions specified in federal and local civil rights law. 

NLC strives to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all employees that respects their strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences enable us to be a better team that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers results. 

NLC will take steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations accordingly if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment. 

WORK LOCATION

This hybrid position is based in Washington, DC, and requires three days on-site at our NLC headquarters. 

SALARY RANGE

$70,000 - $80,000

OUR BENEFITS

• Competitive benefits and retirement package 
• Generous paid time off and holidays 
• Hybrid work environment 
• Professional Development 

EOE/M/F/D/V