Associate, Center for Culture & Sports Diplomacy
About The Position
Meridian International Center is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Temporary Associate, Center for Culture & Sports Diplomacy, to support the delivery of the Great American State Fair Program from April 27 to August 21. This role provides day-to-day coordination of artist engagement, including contracting, travel logistics, honoraria processing, and on-site program support for a high-profile, partner-driven public program on the National Mall. Working closely with the Program Officer, the Associate will support the execution of a complex portfolio of artists and partners, ensuring smooth operations and a high-quality experience. This role requires strong administrative and logistical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Meridian requires MD, DC, or VA residence for all employees. The role may be partially remote until further notice. This position is contingent upon Meridian successfully securing a contract from the National Endowment for the Arts for the Great American State Fair (the Fair), taking place June 25 to July 10, 2026, in Washington, DC.
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree
- Minimum 0-2 years of related experience
- Broad knowledge of event management
- Effective oral and written English communication skills
- Ability to work effectively and accurately under pressure
- Mature judgment and the ability to set priorities
- Excellent attention to detail
- Superior organizational skills
- Ability to carry out responsibilities independently while functioning as part of a team
- Strong inter-cultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with individuals from around the world
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams
Nice To Haves
- Prior work with musician or artists is a plus
- Experience with Canva, Airtable, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, Squarespace, and Salesforce is helpful
Responsibilities
- Assist in coordinating artist engagement, including onboarding, communications, and scheduling
- Support preparation and processing of artist agreements, contracts, and required releases (performance, likeness, minors)
- Help maintain clear and consistent communication with artists before and during the program
- Track artist details and requirements to support program delivery
- Assist with coordination of artist travel logistics, including flights, hotels, ground transportation, and itineraries
- Support preparation and distribution of detailed travel information to participants
- Help monitor travel arrangements and flag issues for resolution
- Provide logistical support to ensure smooth arrivals and departures
- Assist in processing and tracking artist honoraria and related payments
- Support internal coordination to ensure timely and compliant payments
- Maintain organized records of artist-related expenses and documentation
- Provide on-site support for artist-related activities during the Fair
- Assist with execution of the run-of-show and overall program flow
- Support coordination of rehearsals, schedules, and artist movements
- Help manage artist needs on-site, including hospitality, green room coordination, and basic technical requirements
- Assist in troubleshooting logistical issues in real time
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
