Program Officer, Center for Culture & Sports Diplomacy

Meridian International Center•Washington, DC

2h•Hybrid

About The Position

Meridian International Center is seeking a highly driven and detail-oriented Temporary Program Officer, Center for Culture & Sports Diplomacy, to support the delivery of the Great American State Fair Program from April 27 to August 21. This role is responsible for leading the end-to-end coordination and execution of artist engagement, including recruitment, contracting, travel logistics, honoraria, and on-site program delivery for a high-profile, partner-driven public program on the National Mall. The Program Officer will oversee a Program Associate and manage a complex portfolio of artists, partners, and stakeholders, ensuring seamless and compliant implementation. This role requires a strong blend of operational excellence, stakeholder coordination, and real-time problem-solving, with the ability to manage high-volume logistics while maintaining a high-touch experience for participating artists and partners. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable managing detailed administrative processes and executing large-scale, public-facing programming, and thrives in fast-paced environments requiring adaptability, sound judgment, and cross-team collaboration. 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

Minimum 5 – 8 years of progressive program management experience
Experience managing logistics for complex programs or live events
Prior experience supervising staff or managing junior team members
Familiarity with artist coordination, travel logistics, and program implementation
Strong project management and organizational skills
Ability to oversee multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal and team management skills
Ability to problem-solve and make decisions under pressure, particularly during live events
High attention to detail and accountability
Cultural sensitivity and experience working with diverse, international stakeholders
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams

Nice To Haves

Experience working with federal programs or compliance frameworks preferred
Experience with Airtable, Canva, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, Squarespace, and Salesforce and VendorRisk is helpful

Responsibilities

Provide overall coordination and oversight of arts programming logistics and execution
Support development and management of program timelines, deliverables, and run-of-show
Serve as a key point of contact for internal teams, partners, and stakeholders
Ensure alignment with program goals, requirements, and federal guidelines
Oversee artist engagement processes, including contracting, onboarding, and communications
Guide and support the Program Associate in managing artist schedules, needs, and expectations
Ensure all artist agreements, releases, and documentation are completed accurately and on time
Support resolution of artist-related issues and escalations
Oversee coordination of artist travel, lodging, and itineraries to ensure accuracy and compliance
Monitor and support the processing of honoraria and artist payments
Ensure financial tracking aligns with organizational and federal requirements
Review and approve logistics plans and troubleshoot challenges as needed
Provide on-site leadership during program implementation
Oversee execution of the run-of-show and ensure coordination across artists, production teams, and partners
Support management of artist needs on-site, including rehearsals, hospitality, and scheduling
Troubleshoot issues in real time and ensure smooth program delivery
Supervise and provide guidance to the Program Associate
Delegate tasks and ensure timely completion of responsibilities
Provide mentorship, quality control, and performance feedback
Support coordination across additional temporary staff, as needed
Monitor program budgets, expenses, and financial tracking related to artist engagement
Ensure timely processing of payments and proper documentation
Complete administrative and reporting requirements in accordance with organizational standards
Other duties as assigned