Program Manager for the Leonum Institute for AI and Emerging Technologies

The Catholic University of America•Washington, DC

44d•$80,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The Chief of Staff will serve as the strategic and operational partner to the Director of the Institute for AI & Emerging Technologies. This inaugural Institute advances research, education, and public dialogue at the intersection of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, human dignity, and Catholic social thought.The Chief of Staff will ensure that the Director's vision is translated into effective action, coordinating across University leadership, faculty, donors, and external partners. This position requires exceptional judgment, communication, and organizational skills, as well as comfort operating at the nexus of academia, the Church, government, and industry. The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $80,000- $85,000.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
4-6 years in executive administration, project management, advancement, or higher education. Experience supporting senior leaders, managing complex projects, and handling donor/stakeholder relations strongly preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication; proven ability to draft professional correspondence and reports.
Strong project management and organizational skills; ability to balance multiple priorities under deadlines.
High emotional intelligence, discretion, and integrity in handling sensitive information.
Technical proficiency with office software, CRM systems, and collaboration platforms.
Demonstrated respect for and commitment to Catholic values and the mission of The Catholic University of America.

Nice To Haves

Proactive and resourceful, anticipating needs before they arise.
Diplomatic and professional, able to interact with senior Church leaders, government officials, donors, and faculty.
Strategic thinker who can also execute details meticulously.
Energized by working in a startup-like environment within a university, where structures are being built for the first time.
Deeply motivated by the Institute's mission to shape the ethical development of emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

Act as the Director's primary partner in executing the Institute's strategic roadmap.
Anticipate needs, prioritize initiatives, and ensure timely completion of Institute goals.
Draft reports, presentations, and public communications articulating the Institute's mission and progress.
Coordinate special projects and cross-campus initiatives as directed by the Director.
Manage the operations of the internal AI Task Force and the external Advisory Board, including meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-ups.
Oversee Institute budget tracking, expense reporting, and coordination with University finance offices.
Develop systems, dashboards, and trackers to monitor deliverables across programs, events, and partnerships.
Support hiring, onboarding, and coordination of fellows, postdocs, and student interns.
Partner with the University's Advancement team to coordinate donor cultivation and stewardship.
Prepare briefings, talking points, and proposals for donor meetings and philanthropic partners.
Track donor engagement in a CRM-style system to ensure consistent follow-up and relationship building.
Contribute to fundraising strategies that support the Institute's growth and long-term sustainability.
Serve as project manager for the Institute's flagship programs, including the Bishops' AI Bootcamp, Vatican Symposium, National Catholic AI Summit, and Public Lecture Series.
Coordinate logistics, speaker engagement, and communications for major Institute events.
Ensure smooth delivery of academic and fellowship programs by coordinating with faculty, staff, and student participants.
Draft correspondence, press releases, and newsletters for external and internal audiences.
Maintain and update the Institute's website and promotional materials in collaboration with CUA Communications.
Support media, public relations, and storytelling efforts that elevate the Institute's visibility and impact.