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Job Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters – Washington, DC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Seniority Level: Senior Director
Job Category: Staff
About Power of Sports
The Atlantic Council’s Power of Sports will serve as the Council’s flagship platform for advancing sport as a strategic instrument of diplomacy, economic growth, and geopolitical engagement. Building on the Council’s global convening power and cross-regional expertise, Power of Sports translates the influence of sport into actionable policy, investment opportunities, and international partnerships.
At a moment defined by geopolitical fragmentation, technological transformation, and heightened global competition, sport remains one of the few truly universal and unifying languages. Power of Sports positions the Atlantic Council at the forefront of a rapidly growing field—leveraging sport not as entertainment alone, but as a powerful tool for shaping international cooperation, strengthening alliances, unlocking economic opportunities, and advancing human development.
Power of Sports operates across four core pillars:
- Sports as Statecraft
- Sports, Trade, and Investment
- Sports and Society
- Sports and Resilience
Its work spans sports diplomacy, international development, governance, trade and investment, mega-events, people-to-people engagement, and emerging issues at the intersection of sport, technology, and public policy.
Overview
The Atlantic Council seeks an entrepreneurial, globally recognized leader to serve as the founding Senior Director of the Power of Sports. The Senior Director will be responsible for building and leading a world-class policy and convening platform that positions sport as a strategic force shaping the future of diplomacy, economic statecraft, global development, and international cooperation. The successful candidate will establish the intellectual foundation of the Power of Sports while growing it into a premier institution for sports diplomacy and policy innovation.
The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise at the intersection of international affairs, sport, business, public policy, and global development. They will possess an established international network spanning governments, international organizations, sports federations, leagues, athletes, investors, philanthropies, and corporate leaders.
As the founding director of the Power of Sports, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing a long-term strategy that elevates the Atlantic Council as the leading global institution examining how sport contributes to geopolitical influence, economic competitiveness, social resilience, and international cooperation. This includes leveraging major global sporting events—including future Olympic and World Cup cycles—as platforms for advancing policy dialogue, investment, and diplomacy. The Senior Director will oversee a growing team of resident and non-resident experts, manage strategic partnerships across the Council’s regional and functional centers, and work closely with senior leadership to build a sustainable funding model for Power of Sports long-term success.
The position is based in Washington, DC and requires frequent domestic and international travel. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and education, with offers from $175,000 to $225,000. Applications submitted by October 1, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration.
Job Responsibilities
Intellectual Leadership
- Serve as the Atlantic Council’s leading voice on sports diplomacy, sports governance, sports economics, and the role of sport in international affairs.
- Develop and advance the intellectual framework underpinning Power of Sports.
- Produce and oversee high-quality publications, policy papers, reports, commentary, and strategic analysis.
- Speak regularly at international conferences, sporting events, government forums, and media engagements.
- Build thought leadership around sport as a strategic force shaping the future of diplomacy, economic statecraft, global development, and international cooperation.
Strategic Program Leadership
- Lead the Power of Sports’ long-term strategic vision and annual programming agenda.
- Build innovative programming and signature initiatives that translate global sporting moments into sustained policy and economic impact.
- Coordinate sports-related efforts across Atlantic Council centers and initiatives to create a unified institutional strategy.
Program Execution and Development
- Design and manage public and private convenings, leadership forums, embassy dialogues, ministerial discussions, and athlete engagements.
- Oversee flagship research projects and thought leadership products.
- Develop partnerships with governments, sports federations, leagues, clubs, multilateral institutions, foundations, and private-sector stakeholders.
- Ensure programmatic excellence across all Power of Sports activities.
Business Development
- Build and sustain a diversified funding portfolio.
- Develop proposals and secure support from corporations, foundations, governments, multilateral institutions, family offices, and philanthropists.
- Cultivate strategic partnerships throughout the global sports ecosystem.
- Work closely with the Office of External Relations and Atlantic Council leadership to grow the Power of Sports into a major institutional platform.
Organizational Integration and Institutional Leadership
The Senior Director will serve in a Council-wide leadership role, responsible for advancing sports diplomacy and sports-related programming across the Atlantic Council.
Responsibilities include:
- Advising centers and initiatives on integrating sports diplomacy into their regional and thematic priorities.
- Identifying opportunities to leverage sport as a platform for advancing broader Council objectives related to trade, development, security, resilience, and international cooperation.
- Building institutional partnerships that create value across multiple Council programs.
- Supporting cross-center fundraising and collaborative programming opportunities tied to major sporting events and global initiatives.
Management
- Recruit, manage, mentor, and develop Power of Sports staff.
- Oversee resident and nonresident fellows and senior advisors.
- Maintain strong relationships with board members, donors, and strategic partners.
- Foster a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven team culture.
Outreach and Communications
- Represent the Atlantic Council globally with governments, sports organizations, corporate leaders, international institutions, media outlets, and civil society.
- Serve as a public spokesperson for Power of Sports.
- Expand the Power of Sports’s visibility through media appearances, publications, and high-profile events.
- Build communities of influence across the policy, business, and sports sectors.
Financial Management
- Serve as a responsible steward of Power of Sports and Council resources.
- Manage budgets, revenue projections, fundraising goals, and financial reporting.
- Ensure long-term financial sustainability and growth.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should possess:
- Minimum of ten years of senior-level experience in international affairs, sports diplomacy, public policy, business, international development, sports governance, or a related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in the intersection of sport and international affairs.
- Extensive experience building and managing complex programs or organizations.
- Strong record of fundraising and business development.
- Exceptional writing, editing, public speaking, and communication skills.
- Experience engaging senior government officials, international organizations, sports leaders, corporate executives, and philanthropic stakeholders.
- Proven ability to build partnerships across sectors and regions.
- Strong management and leadership experience.
- Demonstrated record of policy influence, convening leadership, and thought leadership.
- Master’s degree or higher in international affairs, public policy, economics, business, law, sports management, or a related discipline preferred.
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 Atlantic Council’s Power of Sports initiative highlights how sports can promote global cooperation, economic opportunity, and human progress.
Please note: The Atlantic Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of any classification protected by law, including but not limited to those protected characteristics covered by the DC Human Rights Act, including age, skin color, credit information, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender identity & expression, genetic information, homeless status, marital status, matriculation, national origin, personal appearance, place of residence or business, political affiliation, race, religion, seal eviction record, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, status as a victim or family member of a victim of DVSOS, or status as a victim of an intrafamily offense. The Atlantic Council is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. For more information, please connect with us at recruitment@atlanticcouncil.org. Eligibility to work in the United States is confirmed with E-Verify; employment at the Atlantic Council is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).