Director of National Security Internship Programs in Washington, District of Columbia at Institute of World Politics

About IWP

The Institute of World Politics is a graduate school of national security and international affairs, dedicated to developing leaders with a sound understanding of international realities and the ethical conduct of statecraft, based on knowledge and appreciation of the founding principles of the American political economy and the Western moral tradition. Our employees enjoy a flexible work environment, great benefits, and a real opportunity to make a difference. We are looking to grow our talented team of professionals and scholar-practitioners. Join our mission-committed school and make a difference.

For more information about The Institute of World Politics, visit www.iwp.edu

Job Summary

The Director of National Security Internship Programs leads IWP’s internship program from recruitment through alumni engagement. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Professional Affiliations, the Director manages the full intern lifecycle: recruiting and selecting candidates each semester, onboarding, instruction and professional development, performance check-ins with interns and faculty mentors, and a calendar of events, tours, lectures, and fireside chats. The position also builds partnerships with other Washington, D.C. internship programs, universities, and organizations, and maintains the internship alumni database as a pipeline of prospective IWP students.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

To perform in this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Oversee the intern application process, including online job postings, application processing, and interviews.
• Complete employment verification and facilitate background checks for interns and former interns as needed.
• Maintain regular communications with prospective interns via email, texts, and phone calls.
• Manage the Internship Program onboarding and planning.
• Assess and interview internship candidates for the internship program each semester and then make recommendations to leadership for final offers.
• Manage all associated paperwork and documentation for successfully onboarding each intern.
• Conduct check-ins with interns and their faculty mentors at regular intervals to assess performance and development.
• Coordinate the research groups in which doctoral research advisors, graduate research assistants, and interns work together, and support each intern’s research product from topic selection through final presentation.
• Set standards for professional conduct and address performance and conduct concerns promptly.
• Supervise and train the staff, graduate assistants, and volunteers who support the internship program.
• Schedule and oversee all related events, tours, and faculty lectures.
• Research, interview, and moderate guest speakers in fireside chats and lectures, including preparing questions, guiding the discussion, and engaging the audience.
• Plan and run hybrid events and meetings so that both in-person and online participants can participate.
• Develop relationships with other D.C. based internship programs, creating opportunities for interns from other programs to participate in events with IWP interns.
• Develop relationships with other D.C.- based organizations to recruit potential speakers whose expertise/lecture topics align with IWP’s mission.
• Build and sustain a professional network of practitioners, employers, alumni, and partner organizations, and connect interns to mentors, speakers, and career opportunities.
• Develop and manage partnerships with universities and other academic programs, including memoranda of understanding, to place students in the internship program.
• Promote the program to prospective interns, universities, and employers through the IWP website, LinkedIn, and other channels.
• Maintain the internship alumni database as a prospective student funnel.
• Engage internship alumni through events, mentoring, and outreach, and track alumni outcomes.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through intern and mentor feedback and outcome data and share findings with leadership.
• Help plan and run graduate recruitment events, including Open Houses, Career Panels, and intern and alumni functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, History, Economics, National Security/Intelligence, or related subject preferred.
• 3-5+ years of professional work experience required.
• Experience teaching, training, coaching, or mentoring students or adult learners preferred.
• Experience in national security, intelligence, or policy work, including preparing or delivering briefings, preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Clear, professional written and verbal communication, including with students, faculty, executives, board members, and donors.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to teach and coach, including designing and leading workshops and giving constructive feedback.
• Public speaking and facilitation skills, including moderating panels and fireside chats.
• Interviewing skills, including researching guests and preparing questions for speaker and candidate interviews.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build and maintain a professional network.
• Proficiency with LinkedIn and other professional social media for outreach, recruiting, and networking.
• Working knowledge of national security, intelligence, and foreign policy issues, and of how briefings are prepared and delivered.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to review and improve the written work of others.
• Experience with virtual meeting platforms, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and with hybrid event delivery.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, cohorts, and events at once.
• Discretion and attention to detail when handling confidential records, including background-check information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Windows-based applications; ability to learn database or CRM systems.
• Commitment to IWP’s mission.

Work Environment:

• General office environment
• Hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Evening events, such as capstone presentations, receptions, and speaker events, are required as scheduled.
• Due to relationship development with prospects, the Director of National Security Internship Programs may need to be reached by phone during non-traditional business hours.
• Travel: Limited
• On-site requirement: Employee must report to the IWP DC campus

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• The person in this position frequently communicates with executives, the governing board, and donors. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Frequently stands and speaks before groups, in person and virtually.