Program Officer, Young Leaders of America (YLAI)

International Research & Exchanges Board; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

IREX, based in Washington, DC, seeks a detail-oriented Program Officer to support the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI). You will help manage timelines, budgets, and program documentation while ensuring compliance for assigned deliverables and supporting event logistics for virtual and in-person activities.

The role includes supervising a Program Coordinator, coordinating with vendors and partners, and delivering milestone fellowship events such as the U.S.

Qualifications

• BA degree required.
• Experience planning large in-person and virtual events.
• Experience with government grants, contracts, or donor-funded programs.
• Strong budgeting, procurement, invoice processing, and compliance skills.
• Experience coordinating with funders, partners, vendors, hotels, venues, speakers, and participants.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, orientations, and networking events.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day planning and implementation of YLAI program events (virtual, hybrid, in-person).
• Provide supervision and development support to a Program Coordinator.
• Manage event logistics including venue, catering, A/V, accessibility, and participant communications.
• Coordinate with vendors, hotels, speakers, facilitators, and internal teams for seamless execution.
• Monitor timelines, workplans, and budgets; resolve issues to stay on schedule and within budget.
• Develop event tracking tools, run-of-show documents, briefing materials, and contingency plans.
• Serve as primary on-site and virtual contact during events; troubleshoot in real time.
• Track expenditures, process invoices, and ensure compliance with award requirements.
• Support participant engagement through networking, workshops, and professional development activities.
• Advise cohorts and U.S. business partners for maximal impact.
• Prepare briefing materials and updates for leadership, funders, and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with communications, alumni, training, and M&E to align activities with program goals.

Skills

Event planning

Project management

Budget monitoring

Vendor management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Servant leadership

Problem solving

Cross-cultural communication

Data management

Microsoft Office

Education

BA Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Copilot

Teams

Job description

Program Officer, Young Leaders of America (YLAI)

Job Category: Global Impact

Requisition Number: PROGR003305

• Full-Time
• Hybrid

Locations

Showing 1 location

Headquarters
Washington, DC 20005, USA

Description

Who We Are

IREX is a global solutions provider that partners with communities and institutions in the United States and around the world to cultivate leaders, expand access to education, and create economic opportunity. With deep expertise, a forward-looking vision, and world-class practices in AI for Education, Future-Ready Workforce, Higher Education Solutions, Leadership Development, and Online Safety, IREX delivers innovative and proven solutions that help people, institutions, and communities thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Job Summary

We are looking for a detail-oriented and communicative Program Officer to join our fun and collaborative team to support implementation of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI). Under the direction of the Deputy Project Director, the Program Officer will support management of assigned program activities, contribute to project work products such as timelines, budgets, reports, and program documentation, and ensure compliance requirements are met for assigned deliverables. The Program Officer maybe responsible foran entire program area, as assigned by Practice Leadership, and may assume Program Coordinator responsibilities as needed.

The Program Officer will lead event planning andlogisticsfor two milestone fellowship events, the U.S. Arrival Orientation and Market Immersion, and YLAI Closing Forum. The role will also support the international Alumni Commercial Convening and coordinate the three-day Virtual Pre-Departure Orientation and Fellowship Kick-Off. The Program Officer will partner closely with a Program Coordinator and provide mentorship, guidance, and day-to-day supervision to support successful event execution and broader program activities.

We're looking for our next team member—could it be you?

Knowledge & Skills:

• Event planning andlogisticsmanagement for large-scale virtual and in-person programs.
• Project management, including work planning, task tracking, timeline development, and deliverable monitoring.
• Budget monitoring, financial administration, procurement coordination, and expenditure tracking.
• Vendor management, including selection, onboarding, contract coordination, compliance oversight, and performance assessment.
• Strong written communication skills, includingparticipant,partner,vendor, and donor correspondence.
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills for engaging diverse audiences andfacilitatingmeetings.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management with participants, partners, vendors, funders, and internal teams.
• Servant leadership, coaching, mentorship, delegation, and day-to-day staff guidance.
• Collaborative problem-solving, risk management, and contingency planning in fast-paced event and program environments.
• Cross-cultural communication and ability to work effectively with international participants, commercial partners, and colleagues.
• Data management, reporting, documentation, and attention to accuracy in administrative and financial processes.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Copilot, and Teams, and experience using project management or collaboration tools.

Requirements & Experience:

• BA Degree
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of professional experience managing programs, projects, events, or related operational activities.
• Experience planning and implementing large-scale in-person and virtual events, includinglogisticscoordination, agenda development, vendor management and partnership development, and on-site event support.
• Experience working with U.S. Department of State or other U.S. government grants, contracts, or donor-funded programs.
• Experience supporting program budgeting, procurement, invoice processing, financial tracking, and compliance requirements.
• Experience coordinating with external stakeholders, including funders, partners, vendors, hotels, conference venues, speakers, participants, and partner organizations.
• Experiencefacilitatingmeetings, workshops, orientations, networking events, or professional learning experiences.
• Experience working in cross-cultural environments with diverse international participants and partners.
• Demonstrated understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean and recent developments in the region.

International work or study experience in Latin America or the Caribbean preferred.

What You'll Do

• Lead the day-to-day planning, coordination, and implementation of virtual, hybrid, and in-person YLAI program events, ensuring alignment with program objectives, participant needs, and program requirements.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and performance management of a Program Coordinator, including goal setting, coaching, feedback, and professional development support.
• Manage event logistics, including venue coordination, catering, audiovisual needs, accessibility accommodations, and participant communications.
• Coordinate closely with vendors, hotels, speakers, facilitators, and internal teams to ensure seamless event execution.
• Monitor event timelines, workplans, and deliverables, proactively identifying and resolving logistical challenges to keep activities on schedule and within budget.
• Develop and maintain detailed event tracking tools, participant lists, run-of-show documents, briefing materials, and contingency plans for all program activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact during events, managing onsite and virtual operations, troubleshooting issues in real time, and ensuring a positive participant experience.
• Track event expenditures, process invoices, and monitor budgets to ensure compliance with organizational and award requirements.
• Support participant engagement by coordinating networking opportunities, workshops, site visits, and professional development activities.
• Advisea cohort of participants andU.S. business partnersthroughout the programto guide their experiencefor maximized impact.
• Prepare briefing materials, logistical guidance, and event updates for leadership, funders, implementing partners, and program stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other parts of the team, including communications, alumni, training, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure event activities support broader YLAI program goals and outcomes.

Salary range: $57,200 - $72,000

What We Offer

At IREX, you’ll work alongside committed, passionate, and collaborative colleagues who are united by a shared mission—making it a truly rewarding place to work. We offer learning, development, and growth opportunities, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well-being.

Please note: While we aim to offer competitive compensation, not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.

Disability Specifications

IREX will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IREX seeks to attract the best-qualified candidates who support IREX’s mission and who respect and promote excellence through diversity. IREX is committed to equal opportunity and follows recruitment and selection practices that comply with all applicable employment laws. To this end, IREX recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals based on merit and experience.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates. This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.