Program Associate

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative — to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.

LDF seeks a dynamic, detail-oriented, and mission-aligned Program Associate to provide critical administrative, project management, and operational support to the Community Organizing Department. This role combines traditional administrative assistant responsibilities (e.g., scheduling and document preparation), with support for departmental special projects, vendor coordination, compliance tracking, and internal operations.

LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week with occasional travel to other regions for conferences, community events, and staff retreats. The role may require travel up to 50% of the time.  

The Program Associate will report to the Director of Community Organizing and the Senior Program Associate/Program Manager, working collaboratively across departments to help advance LDF’s grassroots advocacy and civil rights campaigns.

Responsibilities:

Project Coordination and Department Support (65%)

• Support departmental project tracking using Asana, including timelines, milestones, budgets, and deliverables.
• Assist in planning and coordination of department events, trainings, and retreats (venue logistics, materials, follow-up).
• Prepare and distribute reports, agendas, presentations, and meeting summaries.
• Conduct research and draft memos, briefs, or vendor summaries as needed.
• Coordinate with internal teams for project updates and ensure alignment with work plans and grant deliverables.
• Support digital file management and organization across project folders and compliance materials.

Administrative and Scheduling Responsibilities (25%)

• Serve as primary scheduler for department management team and departmental meetings; manage calendars and coordinate internal and external meeting logistics.
• Draft, proofread, and finalize written correspondence and reports.
• Handle confidential materials with discretion and professionalism.
• Manage travel arrangements, expense reports, and reimbursements.
• Maintain contact lists, respond to general inquiries, and assist with other administrative needs as requested.

Operations and Compliance Support (10%)

• Monitor and ensure compliance with grant reporting requirements and organizational protocols.
• Track deadlines, maintain records, and assist in preparing internal compliance documentation.
• Support internal evaluations, audits, and process improvements related to department operations.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 4–7 years of relevant experience in administrative support, project coordination, or program operations, ideally in nonprofit, civil rights, or social justice settings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Experience coordinating schedules and managing calendars.
• Comfort with technology and tools such as Microsoft Office Suite (especially Wor