Leadership Development Associate – Entry Level

GEM; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

GEM is seeking an entry-level Leadership Development Associate to grow into a leadership role through hands-on training in customer engagement, team collaboration, event support, and professional communication.

This full-time opportunity requires motivation, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn from day one. Paid training, mentorship, and real-world exposure will build foundational leadership skills for a long-term career.

Qualifications

• Motivated and eager to learn.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Positive and professional attitude.
• Dependable and responsible.
• Comfortable working with people.
• Team-oriented and willing to support others.
• Coachable and receptive to feedback.
• Organized and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Interested in developing leadership and professional skills.
• No previous leadership or management experience required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in hands-on training focused on customer engagement, communication, and leadership.
• Represent organizations and campaigns at live events and community locations.
• Interact directly with customers, community members, and event attendees.
• Learn effective customer service and face-to-face communication techniques.
• Support promotional, community outreach, and fundraising campaigns.
• Assist with event activities, registrations, displays, and customer engagement areas.
• Work collaboratively with team members to achieve daily goals.
• Take on additional responsibilities as skills and experience develop.
• Participate in team meetings, coaching sessions, and professional development.
• Learn how successful teams operate in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment.
• Develop the skills needed to take on future leadership responsibilities.

Skills

Customer engagement

Communication

Team collaboration

Leadership potential

Organizational skills

Job description

Leadership Development Associate – Entry Level

About the job Leadership Development Associate – Entry Level

Are you motivated, ambitious, and looking for an opportunity to grow into a leadership role?

We're hiring Leadership Development Associates to join our team and gain hands-on experience in customer engagement, team collaboration, event support, professional communication, and leadership development.

This is a full-time entry-level opportunity designed for individuals who want to learn, take on new responsibilities, and build a long-term career. No previous management or leadership experience is required. Paid training, hands-on coaching, and mentorship are provided from day one.

This opportunity is a great fit for recent graduates, college graduates, career changers, athletes, customer service professionals, retail and hospitality workers, and motivated individuals looking to develop their leadership skills.

What You'll Do

• Participate in hands-on training focused on customer engagement, communication, and leadership
• Represent organizations and campaigns at live events and community locations
• Interact directly with customers, community members, and event attendees
• Learn effective customer service and face-to-face communication techniques
• Support promotional, community outreach, and fundraising campaigns
• Assist with event activities, registrations, displays, and customer engagement areas
• Work collaboratively with team members to achieve daily goals
• Take on additional responsibilities as skills and experience develop
• Participate in team meetings, coaching sessions, and professional development
• Learn how successful teams operate in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment
• Develop the skills needed to take on future leadership responsibilities

What We're Looking For

• Motivated and eager to learn
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Positive and professional attitude
• Dependable and responsible
• Comfortable working with people
• Team-oriented and willing to support others
• Coachable and receptive to feedback
• Organized and able to manage multiple priorities
• Interested in developing leadership and professional skills
• No previous leadership or management experience required

Experience in customer service, retail, hospitality, restaurants, sales, fundraising, events, athletics, education, or other people-focused roles is welcome but not required.

What We Offer

• Paid training
• Hands-on coaching and mentorship
• Leadership development from day one
• Real-world customer and event experience
• Supportive, team-oriented environment
• Opportunities for increased responsibility
• Career growth and advancement opportunities

Build Your Career From the Ground Up

If you're energetic, personable, competitive, dependable, and ready to learn, this is an opportunity to develop the communication, teamwork, and leadership skills that can help you progress into greater responsibilities over time.