Programs Associate

JOIN OUR MISSION

This is more than a program coordination role-it is an opportunity to help develop and deliver leadership experiences that strengthen public service across the South. As the Programs Associate, you will support CSG South's leadership development programs, legislative staff initiatives, and member-focused programming from initial outreach through post-program engagement. If you are highly organized, enjoy building relationships, and take pride in turning plans into well-executed experiences, we invite you to join our team.

The Southern Office of The Council of State Governments (CSG South) empowers and elevates public servants across the 15 Southern states. Through policy innovation, leadership development, and regional collaboration, we equip leaders to serve their constituents with excellence. We live out our core values in all that we do:

• Servant's Heart – We lead by serving others.
• Ambitious – We set bold goals and pursue them relentlessly.
• Adaptable – We respond to challenges with innovation and agility.
• Accountable – We honor commitments and own our outcomes.
• Credible – We earn trust through excellence and integrity.

CSG South seeks a highly organized, relationship-focused Programs Associate to coordinate and support leadership development programs, legislative staff initiatives, and related member services. This role manages program administration, participant and presenter communications, application and selection processes, program materials, evaluation, and post-program engagement while collaborating with colleagues responsible for event logistics and communications. The Programs Associate serves as a dependable point of contact for members and partners, maintains accurate program records, and helps ensure each initiative is delivered with professionalism, consistency, and measurable value.

• Coordinate and implement CSG South's flagship leadership development programs, including the Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) and the Staff Academy for Governmental Excellence (SAGE).
• Manage participant outreach, applications, selection processes, acceptance and non-selection communications, registration information, and pre-program requirements in coordination with program leadership and selection committees.
• Coordinate presenter research and identification, outreach, scheduling, agreements, program materials, and follow-up.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for participants, presenters, alumni, and program partners, providing timely and professional support.
• Develop and maintain program timelines, work plans, participant records, contact lists, briefing materials, agendas, and other program documentation.
• Partner with the Operations & Events team on travel, lodging, transportation, venue, and on-site logistics while retaining ownership of program content and participant readiness.
• Prepare, administer, and analyze program evaluations; summarize results and recommend improvements that strengthen future programming.
• Support alumni engagement and other post-program opportunities that extend the value of CSG South's leadership development programs.
• Aide the departmental director and the Regional Director in the organization and coordination of the Chiefs
  15X and LSA Directors Group Retreat.

• Serve as a primary point of contact and liaison for the designated Staff Alliance for Intergovernmental Leadership (SAIL) Committee, supporting recruitment, member engagement, meetings, communications, and deliverables, including but not limited to annual plan, staff scholarships, trainings, and the online learning portal.
• Identify relevant program topics and participant needs through member feedback, research, and coordination with the Director of Strategic Partnerships, Policy, and Programs and the Regional Executive Director.
• Coordinate program topic, presenter, supporting materials, moderate (if needed), evaluation, and post-program communications for 12 webinars a year (1 a month).
• Lead the continued buildout and population of CSG South's online learning portal,…