Event Strategist

The MITRE Corporation • McLean, VA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges—and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us.
The Event and Protocol Team is responsible for planning and executing externally facing events across MITRE’s in-house and external venues, and supporting visits from high profile external visitors. The team operates in a highly collaborative environment, partnering across internal service groups to deliver consistent, high-quality event experiences aligned with organizational standards. The team also leads the development and implementation of protocol practices that support effective and professional external engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience in event planning, project management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple projects simultaneously in a structured environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of foreign visitors as well as U.S. government and military protocol, including rank structure, order of precedence, and official courtesies
• Strong project management, organizational, and coordination skills with high attention to detail
• Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and judgment
• Ability to work primarily on-site (four days per week)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience supporting Department of Defense or other federal agency leadership engagements
• Familiarity with Joint Service protocol standards and interagency coordination
• Experience working in secure environments and coordinating with security personnel (e.g., protective services, access control, classified spaces)
• Certification in event planning (e.g., CMP – Certified Meeting Professional) or protocol training
• Experience supporting events within corporate, nonprofit, or government environments
• Familiarity with in-house venue operations and coordination across internal service providers
• Experience supporting protocol-driven executive-level events
• Experience working within established standards or structured environments
• Experience using event management or project tracking tools

Responsibilities

• Independently manage the full lifecycle of external events, from intake and planning to execution
• Collaborate closely within the Event and Protocol Team, partnering with fellow planners to ensure alignment, consistency, and shared ownership of event delivery
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned events while supporting broader team priorities as needed
• Serve as the primary authority on federal and military protocol, ensuring all engagements adhere to appropriate standards for rank, precedence, courtesies, and customs
• Develop and manage budget, project plans, timelines, and run-of-show documentation to ensure successful execution
• Coordinate logistics across internal teams, including communications department, facilities, security, and catering
• Provide onsite event support and actively contribute to execution alongside team members
• Prepare officers, directors, and staff for engagements, including protocol briefings, coordinating on communications and talking points, and situational awareness
• Anticipate and resolve issues in real time with sound judgment and professionalism

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees