Senior Program Manager, Program on Education and National Security

SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, PROGRAM ON EDUCATION AND NATIONAL SECURITY

About the Foundation for Defense of Democracies

FDD is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) research institute in Washington, DC, focused on national security and foreign policy. Since 2001, we've produced independent, non-partisan research and analysis to strengthen U.S. national security and support free societies.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks a full-time senior program manager for its Program on Education and National Security. This role requires a seasoned professional with experience managing multiple projects, building coalitions, ensuring timely completion of deliverables, and maintaining consistent communication.

Full-time | Reports to the director of the Program on Education and National Security

Salary: $90,000–$140,000 annually, based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage based on eligibility.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Strategy

• Assist the director in conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and managing the program's priorities, initiatives, and events in support of its mission and objectives.
• Help shape the program's substantive agenda on national security threats to the U.S. education system, including legislative and regulatory frameworks, foreign-funding streams, and the influence of malicious outside groups.
• Represent the program at meetings, briefings, and external engagements, in coordination with the director.
• Support stakeholder outreach and development, including managing and building coalition opportunities, in coordination with the director.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned by the director consistent with the program manager role.

Research Pipeline

• Manage day-to-day operation of the research pipeline, guiding projects from conception through internal review to final publication.
• Serve as liaison to the production team for all the program's research products.
• Draft reports on research, outreach, and impact for various stakeholders.
• Ensure the program's content on the FDD website is accurate and updated as necessary.

Operations

• Manage internal processes and complete tasks that improve efficiency, effectiveness, timeliness, and quality.
• Develop and manage a system to record accomplishments, outreach, and outcomes for all program members.
• Serve as the primary interface with outreach teams and other FDD centers and programs.
• Monitor timelines and milestones to ensure the program meets appropriate deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES:

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in public policy, education policy, international relations, security studies, business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in program management, policy, or government.
• Substantive knowledge of the national security threats facing the U.S. education system.
• Proven track record of building coalitions and managing relationships with policymakers, congressional staff, education leaders, and outside organizations.
• Organized self-starter, including the ability to build and maintain systems for tracking milestones, deadlines, accomplishments, and outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and discretion.

This role has a projected salary band of $90,000–$140,000 per year, based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage based on eligibility.

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume, and brief cover letter describing (1) your experience managing programs, building coalitions, and addressing national security threats to the U.S. education system and (2) your interest in FDD's mission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit to FDD Human Resources ([email protected])

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [email protected] or (202) 207-0190.

For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.