Sr. Program Associate

The Sr. Program Associate, Operations and Executive Support will serve as a trusted partner to the Chief Policy Officer and Policy Center Leadership Team, providing comprehensive administrative, operational, and project support. Reporting to the Lead Impact Officer, this role helps ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Policy Center through executive support, financial management, meeting and event support, communications, and document preparation. The Sr. Program Associate will build strong relationships across ZERO TO THREE and with external partners and stakeholders, delivering exceptional customer service while fostering collaboration and supporting the successful execution of departmental priorities and initiatives. The position also leverages technology and AI-enabled tools to improve processes, streamline workflows, and enhance organizational effectiveness. The Sr. Program Associate will handle sensitive organizational and personnel information and must demonstrate a high degree of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment in maintaining confidentiality. This is a remote position requiring the Sr. Program Associate to reside within the Washington, DC Metro area.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive and Administrative Support

• Provide administrative and operational support to the Chief Policy Officer and other senior leaders, including calendar and project management, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and electronic and physical correspondence, including mailing and shipping responsibilities, as needed.
• Proactively manages the Chief Policy Officer’s calendar and coordinates internal and external meetings to ensure effective prioritization of time and capacity, confirm meeting materials and logistics, and support the CPO’s preparation for meetings and events.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, agendas, presentations, meeting notes, and follow-up communications as needed.
• Maintain organized electronic filing systems and ensure efficient document retrieval and record management.
• Coordinate Policy Center leadership meetings and support preparation of materials for Policy Center leadership team discussions, Policy Center Work Group board meetings, and similar activities.
• Maintain the division-wide calendar by documenting staff participation in external meetings, events, conferences, speaking engagements, and scheduled time off, and by ensuring this information is clearly organized, up to date, and communicated across the division.
• Coordinates with the Executive Director’s Executive Assistant to ensure streamlined communication for meetings, reports, Board of Directors Meetings, and other executive matters.
• Serve as a liaison with internal staff, external partners, vendors, consultants, and stakeholders.

Financial and Operational Administration

• Prepare, track, and process invoices, contracts, expense reports, reimbursement requests, purchase orders, and other financial documentation.
• Coordinate with finance staff to ensure timely processing, approval, and reconciliation of expenditures.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, and project-related financial information and assist with financial reporting.
• Support grant administration activities, including collection of supporting documentation and reporting materials.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintain records, supplies, and materials in ZERO TO THREE office and off-site storage facility.

Meeting and Event Support

• Coordinate planning and execution of virtual, hybrid, and in-person meetings and events.
• Manage event logistics including registration, travel arrangements, meeting materials, vendor coordination, catering, audiovisual support, and on-site operations.
• Provide on-site event support, troubleshooting issues, and ensure a positive experience for participants, speakers, and partners.
• Assist with post-event evaluations and reporting to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Reporting, Prese