Program Assistant, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships

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

Overview

The Atlantic Council seeks a highly organized and motivated Program Assistant to support diverse business development and partner stewardship activities across the organization. This role will provide research, administrative, and logistical support for the Director, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, with a particular emphasis on ensuring the success of the Atlantic Council’s flagship awards dinners and high-level convenings.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, the Program Assistant will help coordinate event logistics, maintain partnership records, prepare briefing materials, and support communications with internal teams and external partners. This position offers an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional to gain exposure to partner engagement, event management, and fundraising operations at a leading global policy organization.

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment supporting senior leadership and high-profile external stakeholders.

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 $55,000 to $60,000. Applications submitted by April 17, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

The Program Assistant will be responsible for:

Administrative & Operational Support

• Coordinate scheduling of meetings, calls, and internal planning sessions with external partners and Atlantic Council leadership.
• Assist in preparing agendas, briefing materials, and presentations for meetings with external stakeholders.
• Support travel logistics and scheduling related to partnership and funder activities and events when needed.
• Help maintain organized records of partnership materials, sponsorship agreements, and event documentation.

Signature Events & Partner Engagement

• Provide logistical and administrative support for the Atlantic Council’s signature events portfolio, including the Distinguished Leadership Awards, Global Citizen Awards, and related partner activities.
• Assist with coordination of event logistics including guest lists, seating plans, sponsor deliverables, and partner communications.
• Support preparation of event materials including briefing memos, sponsor summaries, invitation lists, and internal planning documents.
• Coordinate with internal teams and vendors to ensure smooth execution of external-facing events.

Partnerships Support

• Maintain and update partner records and engagement trackers in project management and CRM systems (e.g., Monday.com, Salesforce) and other internal tools in partnership with the Associate Director, Corporate Relations.
• Assist in tracking sponsorship commitments, invoices, and benefit fulfillment in coordination with finance and revenue operations teams.
• Conduct background research on prospective partners, companies, high net worth individuals, and executives to support business development efforts.
• Prepare draft correspondence, meeting notes, and follow-up materials related to partner engagement.

Cross-Council Coordination

• Work with program teams, development staff, board relations, engagement, and operations colleagues to ensure accurate and timely information flow related to partnerships and events.
• Provide flexible support across the Strategic Partnerships team during peak periods surrounding major events.
• Contribute to improving internal processes and tools that support partnership management and event execution.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 1–2 years of relevant professional experience (internships and fellowships welcome), particularly in event management, development, corporate engagement, or administrative support roles.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Professional demeanor and comfort interacting with senior stakeholders.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), event management tools, or project management platforms is a plus.
• Interest in international affairs and the mission of the Atlantic Council.

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.