Program Administrator for International Studies

Cato Institute•Washington, DC

2h•$70,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cato Institute seeks a dynamic and highly motivated bilingual Program Administrator for the Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity to assist the department with operational and administrative duties and research assignments. The position assists by conducting research in support of Center scholars and preparing meeting materials, preparing reports, managing expense reports, editing documents, and providing general support to the department staff. Reporting to the Vice President for International Studies, the position will support all members of the Center’s team. This is a hybrid position in Washington, DC. The projected salary range for this role is $70,000 - $90,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position does not offer visa sponsorship. About Cato The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization – a think tank – dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues. Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution – individual liberty, limited government, and free markets – turn out to be even more powerful in today’s world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people, it is the indispensable framework for the future. The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

Fluency in Spanish is required.
Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, international studies, or related fields.
3-6 years of relevant professional work experience, preferably in project/ program management or policy research in a government agency or a think tank.
Proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook required.
Strong research skills.
Deep understanding of, and commitment to, Cato’s libertarian philosophy, free-market economics, and limited government principles.
Project management experience, including administrative tasks, developing work plans, managing and executing multiple concurrent efforts, and effectively managing data, communication, and work products.
Reliable with a strong work ethic, consistently completing tasks on time.
Excellent interpersonal skills and an enthusiastic and positive attitude
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and comfortable interacting with individuals at a high level
Composed and highly organized, with a keen attention to detail, quality, accuracy, and focus on mission.
Positive and professional mindset with the ability to provide superior support to the full Center team.
Proactive, motivated self-starter with strong problem-solving and learning abilities.

Nice To Haves

Data visualization skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Perform advanced administrative duties as required to support the Vice President for International Studies and the Isaiah Berlin Chair in Liberal Thought.
Manage online approval systems for expenses, reimbursement, and travel.
Coordinate and organize meetings with internal and external parties by preparing materials and presentations, reserving space, and obtaining necessary resources.
Maintain standard operating practices, share company policy updates, and serve as a subject matter expert and valuable resource for the department.
Coordinate with the team to facilitate the digital and physical distribution of Cato materials, both internally and externally (e.g., books, mailers, newsletters, etc.).
Train new staff in the essential functions of the department and manage interns.
Work with existing staff to ensure Cato-wide coordination of the Institute’s efforts.
Support department colleagues and perform additional duties as assigned.
Provide expert support to the department by formatting, editing, and fact-checking manuscripts to ensure high-quality standards.
Develop impactful messaging and materials to maximize the impact of the scholar’s work and communicate the department's objectives to internal and external stakeholders.
Plan and execute events (policy forums, Hill briefings, book forums, conferences, policy salons) by collaborating with the Conference and the Government’s Affairs teams
Conduct extensive research and in-depth analysis to support the department scholars, ensuring relevance, accuracy, and actionable insights.
Oversee and contribute to social media accounts and newsletter distributions.
Track and contribute to the department’s output, including studies, articles, op-eds, blog posts, media appearances (broadcast, podcast), etc.
English to Spanish translation.