Temporary Program Manager, Professional Exchanges

AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ACTR/ACCELS•Washington, DC

7d•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager supports the administration of Professional Exchanges, including Professional Fellows Programs, Business Leaders Programs, and special projects across Europe and Eurasia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Professional Exchange programs include fully-funded two-way exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Public Diplomacy Sections at U.S. Embassies. These exchanges provide emerging leaders with the opportunity to spend five to six weeks in the United States gaining professionally relevant fellowship experiences at non-profit, public, or private sector organizations. The program promotes mutual understanding, enhances Fellows’ leadership and professional skills, and builds lasting and sustainable partnerships between participating countries and the United States. The Program Manager will be responsible for administrative oversight and management of various administrative functions of professional exchanges in close collaboration with the Professional Exchanges Director. The position is hybrid with two days a week required in office in Washington, D.C. Please note: This position is temporary based on current funding and therefore runs through 12/31/26. An option for extension is possible pending future funding.

Requirements

Excellent managerial, administrative and organizational skills
Experience managing vendors, partners/contractors, subcontractors, and junior program staff
Experience implementing and enforcing standard procedures on exchange programs
Proficiency in Excel, working within existing program templates
Strong attention to detail and ability to review and edit deliverables of others
Ability to manage multiple priorities quickly and effectively
High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively with all levels of participants, staff and program stakeholders
Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team
Ability and willingness to occasionally work during non-business hours such as weekends and/or evenings as program necessitates
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally if needed
A minimum of five years of experience working on international exchanges, management experience preferred
Experience managing a team
Must be able to be in person in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of two days a week.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the cultures and geography of Eurasia and/or Southeast is preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Managing program operations and policies including maintenance and enforcement of operational guidelines, development of forms and templates, and managing partner compliance (including subgrantees, consultants, vendors, and other program partners)
Assisting with recruitment and selection activities including outreach and social media, application management, application evaluation and interview processes
Managing travel logistics including overseeing the J-1 visa process, international and domestic travel arrangements, and participant enrollment in health benefits plans with support from program staff
Supporting the Director in processing and reconciling on-program support (OPS) issues
Managing the financial oversight of program partners, managing timely and accurate processing of financial requests, tracking submission of cost share, and training on financial best practices with program staff and partners
Tracking and engagement of foreign and U.S. alumni, including maintaining database, addressing alumni taskers, administering alumni activities, and preparing alumni highlights
Managing Action Plans processes including proposal development, selection and implementation of Reciprocal Exchanges, and reporting on U.S. Fellows impacts and highlights
Ensuring compliance of federal and award regulations including preparation and submission of reports, financial processes, working with program partners to ensure compliance with DOS priorities and policies, Assist with the review of Institute Partner fellowship placements and submission to ECA for review and approval, etc.
Updating and implementing trainings for the Program’s Operational Guidelines
Other duties as assigned