Program Assistant, Transatlantic Security Initiative

Job Details: Job Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters - Washington, DC, Position Type: Full-Time, Salary Range: $55000.00 - $60000.00Salary/year, The Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, is thrilled to seek a talented and team-oriented individual for a self-starting position as a Program Assistant. The Program Assistant will support our busy program and our work to galvanize NATO’s adaptation and transformation in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Program Assistant will assist with the planning and execution of our public and private events in Washington, DC and virtually, partner and project management, communications work, and limited research assignments. The Program Assistant position is full-time, with the expectation that there will be regular overtime requirements given the continued unprecedented threat to transatlantic security and defense.

About the Transatlantic Security Initiative

Based on the fundamental understanding that today’s most pressing global security challenges are most effectively managed with allies, the Transatlantic Security Initiative shapes and influences the debate on the greatest security challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance and its key partners. Through high-profile public convenings, off-the-record strategy sessions, digital engagement, and in-depth research publications, we aim to directly inform the transatlantic security debate. Our team’s work covers a broad portfolio, ranging from strengthening NATO’s deterrence along its northern and eastern flanks from the Arctic to the Black Sea including its support for Ukraine, addressing the role of China’s rise in transatlantic security while increasing cooperation among US allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, to tackling the growing challenges related to emerging and disruptive technologies and WMD in the transatlantic area and supporting the development of a transatlantic defense industrial base that can provide the capabilities allies need at the speed and scale required. Our Initiative aims to diversify the expert community analyzing transatlantic security while growing the public base of support for NATO in the United States and in other NATO member states. In light of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, the team is also delivering work exploring the implications of the war for the future of transatlantic security.

About the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges and opportunities facing the United States and the world. The Center honors General Brent Scowcroft’s legacy of service and embodies his ethos of nonpartisan commitment to the cause of security, support for US leadership in cooperation with allies and partners, and dedication to the mentorship of the next generation of leaders.

Overview of the Role

The Program Assistant will play a key role in delivering events for TSI. They will take an active role in event planning and execution, including managing (under supervision and eventually independently) all associated logistical and administrative tasks in order to support our busy schedule of events both on the ground in Washington, DC and virtually. The Program Assistant may also help coordinate the logistics of a select number of trips to Europe, as well as other large-scale events and programmatic efforts that may develop in the future.

Beyond this work, the Program Assistant will actively engage in other aspects of our programmatic work and will be expected to contribute to and eventually independently engage in partner management and coordination, management of administrative tasks, including organizational tasks, drafting of internal memos for events and meetings, media monitoring, communication and social media activities, substantive research, and other duties as assigned. Additionally, they may also assist with discrete tasks relating to financial management, business development, and other support to the program. The position will also expose the candidate to the writing process for research publications and articles and support our external engagement and communications strategy. Within a small team, we take an all-hands-on-deck approach to our day-to-day work, with all members of the team expected to take the initiative to complete outstanding or unassigned tasks in an independent and resourceful manner.

The successful candidate will have a passion for the work of the Transatlantic Security Initiative and the mission of the Atlantic Council, and a willingness to commit significant time and energy to supporting the NATO Alliance at this critical moment. Ideally, the candidate will possess an understanding of the geopolitical aspects and context of transatlantic security policy, including up-to-date awareness of the Russian war against Ukraine and a broad understanding of the NATO Alliance through classwork and/or experience. A demonstrated facility with event planning is required through direct or transferable experience, while skills in various areas like communications and writing are strongly desired as well. An ability to be resourceful, maintain a solution-oriented outlook, and work efficiently both independently and on a team is a must. They will put a premium on effective written and verbal communication in their work, maintain a resourceful ethos and collegial spirit, be able to multi-task while still adhering to deadlines, and enjoy learning and growing in a fast-paced organization. Our team prides itself on offering opportunities for significant professional growth to those who demonstrate impact and commitment to their work.

This position is based in our Washington, DC headquarters and requires a minimum of four days per week in office. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and education, with offers from $55,000 to $60,000. Applications submitted by August 14, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

Event Management: Execute the logistics for public and private events: Help coordinate and eventually lead the execution of onsite, offsite, and virtual events, including coordinating VIP arrivals and departures, venue setup, guest management, and speaker preparation. Lead planning and related administrative tasks like conceptualizing substantive event framing, identifying and inviting speakers, drafting invitation language, managing RSVPs, drafting preparatory memos for speakers, and taking notes during events. Over the course of the year, TSI will organize several study trips to Europe that the Program Assistant would assist with the planning and execution of, as well as potentially assist with the logistical planning and execution of project workshops in Eastern Europe.

Project Management Support: Provide support for stewarding, tracking, and implementing multiple grants and projects, working closely with the director, deputy director, and designated TSI staff to execute activities. The Program Assistant will be expected, in time, to support day-to-day management of several partnerships, support TSI leadership at meetings with partners, and help ensure strategic oversight and continuity of TSI projects. This may include discrete financial management activities, such as invoicing. 

External Communications: Support the program’s content development including through editing and proofreading of external publications such as op-eds and research reports, as well as making design choices and communicating with authors. Support the team’s social media and broader communications efforts, including managing basic regular website updates and regular newsletter updates for our audience on the program’s activities.

Research and Substantive Support: Research and stay on top of the latest news and analysis on transatlantic security issues to inform the program’s ongoing work, business development/fundraising, and specific projects such as research reports as needed. Help draft internal memos to prepare staff and leadership for meetings and events. Provide punctual research assistance support for ongoing projects, drafting of articles and reports, or developing fundraising proposals and grant applications.

Program Management Support: Manage program contacts and other shared files and knowledge in the program, including leveraging Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and other systems. Provide business development, financial management and other administrative support as needed to assist the program’s operations.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required;
No minimum full-time work experience required, but experience in a position with transferable skills, including internships, is desired;
Willingness and ability to commit forty hours per week and regularly work longer hours to complete time-sensitive deliverables, as well as participate in international travel, usually to Europe;
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and multi-task to fulfill simultaneous, overlapping demands;
Excellent organizational, logistical, and administrative skills are required;
Event management and trip planning experience/skills strongly desired;
Strong attention to detail;
Proven track record working efficiently both independently and collaboratively with a tight-knit team;
Experience with research and writing memos;
Previous communications experience an advantage but not required;
Familiarity with and passion for the issues the Transatlantic Security Initiative works on, including transatlantic security policy, NATO, European security and defense, Russia, China, emerging technologies, and/or US foreign and security policy, is desired. This can be demonstrated through academic, professional, or personal experience;
Ability to represent the Atlantic Council to external constituencies, such as senior military and government officials, board directors, donors, and foreign leaders from Europe and elsewhere;
Willingness to learn new systems and processes and volunteer for new challenges;
Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite;
Ability to work in-person from the Council’s Washington, DC headquarters regularly.

This is a non-exempt salaried position with overtime pay available.

Veterans (enlisted and commissioned) are encouraged to apply.

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.