Associate Director, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Job Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters – Washington, DC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Seniority Level: Associate
Job Category: Staff

Overview

The Atlantic Council seeks a talented, dynamic, and entrepreneurial individual for a fast-paced position as an Associate Director in its Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. The candidate will form a key part of the team and will work closely with the Senior Director and the leadership of the Center in an entrepreneurial atmosphere. This position requires collaboration with colleagues in other regional and thematic centers across the Atlantic Council.

The ideal candidate is a passionate and entrepreneurial self-starter who will elevate the Center’s thought leadership and intellectual heft, particularly on region-wide security issues (including TCOs), Venezuela, and potentially Colombia. The candidate will lead and expand the center’s security portfolio which covers transnational criminal organizations and citizen security issues, as well as ensure coordination with the Center’s LAC work. In addition to leading the security portfolio, the candidate will focus on the Center’s Venezuela work and represent the Center externally for issues and engagements related to his/her scope of work. This person will advise the Senior Director and colleagues on intellectual and strategic issues internally as well.

The candidate should possess strong knowledge of policy issues related to the two areas of expertise above, superb writing and editing abilities related to publications and external communications, a network of influential contacts in the field, experience in coordinating programs and events, and excellent organizational skills. The Associate Director will guide the growing portfolios through work that includes research, events, and publications. This position also requires participation in briefings of subject-matter experts, leaders, legislators, business executives, and media. The ideal candidate will be seen as a thought leader in the field and will be expected to produce or coordinate publications.

The candidate’s research will contribute to formulating a balanced, nuanced, and forward-thinking analysis of Venezuela and broader security issues as they relate to the region and the region’s ties to the United States and the rest of the world. Research will be used to (a) produce original content for the Atlantic Council; (b) engage and inform policymakers and private sector leaders; (d) help shape public discussion through media and speaking engagements; (c) design, develop, and implement the Council’s events and initiatives; and (e) cultivate and maintain relationships with potential funders.

This position is based in our Washington, DC, headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $80,000 to $85,000. Applications submitted by December 1, 2025, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job responsibilities

• Provide intellectual leadership and direction in achieving public policy impact within the Venezuela, security, and potentially Colombia portfolios.
• Manage the programmatic implementation of the Venezuela, security, and potentially Colombia portfolios including management of the respective working groups.
• Devise, organize and lead briefings with stakeholders in multilateral organizations, financial institutions, international political groups, country representatives, and others.
• Coordinate information sharing between local and international partners as well as engagement with relevant media.
• Produce relevant documents, reports, and meeting summaries – both for internal record keeping and external knowledge sharing.
• Manage staff to ensure timely execution of portfolio deliverables.
• Manage the Venezuela, security, and potentially Colombia portfolio budgets and other financial records and provide programmatic updates to key AALAC partners.
• Ensure that Venezuela, security, and possibly Colombia-related issues help to inform work across AALAC and the Atlantic Council.
• Serve as a leader for junior staff within the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center.
• Prepare relevant and necessary documentation for monitoring and evaluation activities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• A minimum of 7 years combined professional experience in an international affairs-related position with a focus on Latin America, including significant attention to the region’s security landscape and TCO networks.
• Proven track record in managing multiple projects simultaneously and demonstrated experience interacting and/or briefing high-level government officials or business executives.
• Background in publishing – both internally and externally.
• Proficient Spanish skills preferred.
• Exceptional English writing and communication skills.
• Significant experience in private sector and governmental decision-making processes and policy development.
• Self-starter who can balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

To produce quality work and to successfully achieve our mission, we recognize the need for our staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package helps to keep costs low for our staff and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, 403(b) plan, FSA options, pet insurance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and wellness benefits.

About the Program

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations and delivers constructive, results-oriented solutions to inform how the public and private sectors can advance hemispheric prosperity.

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