Program Manager, Professional Exchanges

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

COMPENSATION: $70,000 - $85,000*

For employees in the Washington, D.C metro area

SUMMARY

American Councils administers a wide range of professional and business-focused programs across Europe and Asia, including the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Fellowship and Business Leaders Programs across 49 countries in Europe. The YTILI Fellowship program and Business Leaders Programs provide opportunities for young professionals to partake in short-term professionally relevant fellowships in the United States on the topic of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The purpose of the programs is to encourage participants to examine U.S. institutions supporting these topics and their respective home countries, in order to better understand how they can work to solve problems and serve the public good. Programs are funded with by the U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Public Diplomacy Sections (PDS) at U.S. Embassies.

Based in Washington, DC, the Program Manager will report to the Director of Professional Exchanges. The Program Manager’s primary responsibilities will include administration of the Professional Exchange Programs and other grants as applicable. As a part of these responsibilities, they will oversee work of Program Officers and Coordinators for each program on projects such as social media, reciprocal exchange projects, and other aspects as needed. Periodic travel in the United States and abroad is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee development of materials for administration and promotion of programs including handbooks, applications, websites, social media, and brochures;
• Liaise with overseas and domestic partners to develop, implement, and monitor various program components;
• Oversee the recruitment and selection of Fellows, including designing the application, developing outreach and recruitment plans, evaluating applications, and organizing and administering evaluation committees, planning and participating in semi-finalist interviews, and notifying applicants;
• Support the Director to coordinate with relevant U.S. Embassies/Consulates and ECA on all aspects of recruitment and selection of Fellows as well as reciprocal exchange projects and alumni activities;
• Oversee logistical aspects of the program including participant SEVIS enrollment, DS-2019 printing and distribution, visa procurement, travel arrangements, and enrollment in ASPE;
• Manage the planning and facilitation of the domestic and international travel of American and international participants, including correspondence, preparation of materials, and visa processing;
• Organize arrival and overseas orientation programs for U.S. and foreign participants;
• Manage partners and oversees the placements of Fellows in professional fellowships in U.S. government bodies (local, state, and federal levels), businesses, non-profit organizations, and universities;
• Arrange housing for Fellows in U.S. host families through placement consultants, volunteer host families, or alternate housing such as university dorms or extended stay hotels;
• Manage financial aspects such as stipend distribution, reimbursements, and vendor payments;
• Provide maintenance and support to the participants, U.S. placement hosts, and host families while in the United States and abroad including overseeing the facilitation of housing and insurance, payment of stipends and bills, liaison with host institutions, visa matters, and correspondence;
• Oversee the planning and implementation of Alumni programs;
• Administer small alumni grants and alumni programming, as funds are available;
• Support grant and budget proposals, and prepare and review associated reports (semi-annual and final);
• Provide supervision, guidance and training to administrative staff and other program staff in the U.S. and overseas;
• Support the Director with maintaining and tracking program spending and budgets and ensures compliance with federal awards;
• Maintain contact databases and participant data;
• Support the Director in maintaining contact with the funding agency and the assigned funder-designated program officer(s) and U.S. Embassies/Consulates on matters relating to the program(s);
• Support and maintain program standards, templates, and operational guidelines to ensure continuity and consistency among the various institutes including program promotion and outreach, recruitment and selection, template and form development, leadership and professional development curriculum, and alumni engagement;
• Travel is expected about 5% of the time overall for site visits in the U.S. and for potential activities overseas, schedule of which is TBC.

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Professional or academic experience in relevant regions strongly preferred;
• Experience implementing and/or managing international exchange programs;
• Experience working closely with and providing support to international exchange participants, minimum three years experience preferred;
• Demonstrated organizational ability and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to quickly and effectively manage multiple priorities;
• Ability to work independently while contributing to an overall team effort;
• Proven ability to exercise good judgment under pressure;
• Effective interpersonal skills;
• Experience with budgets and basic financial management;
• Computer skills, including SharePoint, Teams, Access, Excel, Zoom, and Canva as well as experience with social media;
• Experience working with non-profit organization;
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English.

BENEFITS

This position is eligible for healthcare benefits.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

American Councils is committed to taking affirmative steps to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, and strives to ensure that meaningful employment and promotional opportunities are maintained for everyone. American Councils’ commitment to equal employment opportunity is based not only on federal requirements, but also on a longstanding commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.