Ready to launch your national security career in D.C.? Join the Elliott School to help deliver cutting-edge executive education at the intersection of international affairs and national security studies.
- Do you come alive managing moving parts—from spreadsheets to event coordination?
- Are you a meticulous organizer who finds genuine satisfaction in complex logistics and the pride of a perfectly executed plan?
If you get a boost of energy from total operational precision, we want to meet you!
At the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, we operate at the intersection of world-class research and high-level policy. Based in Washington, DC, just steps from the State Department and the White House, we are one of the world’s leading hubs for international leadership and global engagement.
The Programs
Established in 1982 at the direction of U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, the National Security Studies Program (NSSP) has spent over 40 years educating the world’s national security leaders through dedicated courses. Based at GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs since 2007, we provide immersive strategic training for senior leaders across the military, government, and corporate sectors.
In addition to NSSP, the Elliott School has a growing portfolio of executive education programs, and the Program Coordinator will work on these projects as time allows.
The Role
We are seeking a Program Coordinator, National Security Studies Program and Executive Education to serve as the operational backbone of our flagship executive courses. This is a high-visibility entry point position for a detail-oriented person looking to launch a career at the intersection of international affairs, national security, and leadership training. You will own the logistics of educational programming while building a professional foundation at one of the world’s leading schools of international affairs.
In this role, you will contribute to programs that engage policymakers, practitioners, and leaders on some of the most pressing international challenges. You will play a central role in ensuring that our executive education programs run seamlessly and that every participant feels supported by a reliable, responsive professional. The Program Coordinator will report to the Director, National Security Studies Program, and also provide support to the Assistant Dean, Executive Education & Special Initiatives.
Core Responsibilities
- Coordinate logistical and administrative aspects of executive education programs (in-person, hybrid, and online) as required. Manage room bookings, catering, travel, and other logistics for course delivery.
- Support communications and recruitment efforts related to NSSP and other executive education programs, including website updates, newsletters, outreach emails, social media, presentations, and other promotional materials.
- Assist the director and assistant dean with marketing research for new programs, and outreach to new institutional clients.
Specific Responsibilities
- Primary Operational Liaison: Serve as the main point of contact for program inquiries. You will guide senior-level participants through enrollment, answer day-to-day questions from faculty and staff, and ensure a premier experience for all stakeholders.
- Events & Course Coordination: You’ll handle the “run of show” by providing event planning and logistical support for our programs.
- Senior Manager Course in National Security Leadership: two-week strategic courses for top-tier executives.
- Foundations of National Security Leadership: one-week intensive seminars for mid-career leaders.
- Duties include: Managing classroom logistics, coordinating site visits around D.C., and facilitating guest speaker communications and logistics.
- Administrative & Budget Support: Assist with tracking expenditures, processing payments/reimbursements, paying honorariums, maintaining records, coordinating vendor contracts, and preparing reports.
Adaptive, Team Support
As a key member of a small, high-impact team, you will contribute to our varied priorities to ensure the evolving needs of our programs are met. May be called upon to support Elliott School-wide activities. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
We believe in the power of in-person collaboration and the flexibility of remote work. This is a hybrid position, based at GW’s Foggy Bottom campus in Washington, D.C. The schedule typically involves three days in person and two remote days/week – though the schedule may change based on program needs and priorities, such as during our intensive executive courses.