Description

About the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative:

The Scowcroft Strategy Initiative (SSI), housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, serves to directly advance the Scowcroft Center’s core mission by developing sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and its allies and partners. Its competencies in long-range foresight, strategy development, and national security resilience are vital assets to government and business leaders as they navigate a complex and unpredictable world. Through its work, the initiative strives to revitalize, adapt, and defend a rules-based international system in order to foster peace, prosperity, and freedom for decades to come.

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 U.S. leadership in cooperation with allies and partners, and dedication to the mentorship of the next generation of leaders.

Overview of the role:

The Atlantic Council seeks a talented, team-oriented, and self-starting individual for the position of Assistant Director in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Scowcroft Strategy Initiative. The Assistant Director will support the program’s global foresight portfolio which works to promote actionable foresight and innovative strategies for US and allied success to a global community of policymakers, business leaders, and citizens using cutting-edge tools like scenario modeling, data analytics, and simulation exercises.

The Assistant Director will:

• Assist with the planning and execution of public and private events in Washington, DC and virtually;
• Oversee and manage projects and key partner relationships;
• Support fundraising and business development efforts;
• Engage in communications work to boost the profile of the Initiative and foresight team;
• Contribute in a substantive manner to the wide range of foresight research projects and other projects as needed that are undertaken by the Initiative.

The successful candidate will have a passion for the work of the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative and foresight, including knowledge of major trends, challenges, and opportunities impacting US foreign policy across a wide range of regions and topics including great power competition, technology competition, and non-traditional security threats. Demonstrated proficiency in writing, verbal communication, event organizing, and administration are desired. Finalists for this position will demonstrate resourcefulness, a solution-oriented mindset, and the ability to prioritize and multitask effectively while adhering to deadlines. The Scowcroft Strategy Initiative prides itself on offering opportunities for professional growth to those who demonstrate a commitment to their work and enjoy learning in a fluid environment.

This full-time role is based in Washington, DC on a hybrid schedule. Pay is commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers starting at $55,000.

Job responsibilities:

• The Assistant Director will execute the logistics for public and private events and coordinating and eventually lead on tasks such as venue setup, guest management, and speaker preparation.
• The Assistant Director will support day-to-day management of several partnerships, support SSI leadership at meetings with partners, and overall help ensure strategic oversight and continuity of SSI grants and projects. The Assistant Director will independently manage several projects, including financial management, related operational and administrative tasks, and engage with partners and stakeholders with minimal direct oversight.
• The Assistant Director will support the program’s content development including editing and proofreading of external publications such as op-eds and research reports, and broader communications efforts, including managing basic regular website updates and regular newsletter updates for our audience on the program’s activities.
• The Assistant Director will stay current on news and analysis to inform the program’s ongoing work, business development/fundraising, and specific projects as needed.
• The Assistant Director will manage program contacts and other shared files and knowledge in the program, including leveraging Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and other systems.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fluid environment and multitask to fulfill simultaneous tasks.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience in a position with transferable operational and project management skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proven track record working efficiently both independently and collaboratively with a tight-knit team.
• Familiarity with and passion for the issues the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative works on, including foresight, strategy development, and aspects of great power competition. This can be demonstrated either through academic, professional, or personal experience.
• Poise and professionalism in representing the Atlantic Council to external constituencies, such as senior military and government officials, board directors, donors, and foreign leaders.
• Willingness to learn new systems and processes and volunteer for new challenges.