Program Officer, Young Leaders of America (YLAI)

International Research & Exchanges Board; Washington (District of Columbia); Vor Ort; USD 57.000 - 72.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Benefits package

Learning & development

Career growth opportunities

Zusammenfassung

International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) is seeking a detail-oriented Program Officer to support the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI). The role focuses on planning, budgeting, and successful event delivery across virtual, hybrid, and in-person settings.

You will mentor a Program Coordinator, manage vendor relations, and collaborate with programs, communications, alumni, and monitoring teams to maximize impact.

Qualifikationen

• BA degree required with 3–5 years of program/event management experience.
• Experience implementing international education, exchange, or leadership programs.
• Proven ability to plan large in-person and virtual events with vendors and partners.
• Experience with US government grants or donor-funded programs is a plus.
• Strong budgeting, procurement, and financial tracking skills.

Aufgaben

• Lead day-to-day planning, coordination, and implementation of YLAI events (virtual, hybrid, in-person).
• Supervise a Program Coordinator; provide coaching and development feedback.
• Manage event logistics, venue coordination, catering, AV, accessibility, and communications.
• Coordinate with vendors, hotels, speakers, and internal teams for seamless execution.
• Monitor timelines and budgets; develop run-of-show documents and contingency plans.

Kenntnisse

Event planning

Logistics management

Project management

Budget monitoring

Vendor management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Mentorship

Problem solving

Cross-cultural communication

Data management

Microsoft Office Suite

Ausbildung

BA Degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Copilot

Teams

Jobbeschreibung

Job Description

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 for an entire program area, as assigned by Practice Leadership, and may assume Program Coordinator responsibilities as needed. The Program Officer will lead event planning and logistics for 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 andfacilitating​meetings.
• 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 implementing international education, exchange, alumni, professional training, leadership development, or entrepreneurship programs.
• 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.
• Experiencefacilitating​meetings, 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.
• Advise a cohort of participants and U.S. business partners throughout the program to guide their experience for 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.