Program Officer, Center for Culture & Sports Diplomacy at Meridian International Center – Washington, District of Columbia

Title: Program Officer, Center for Culture & Sports Diplomacy

Employment Status: Exempt

Term: May 4 through August 2026 with potential for permanent hire

Salary: $70,000-85,000, Commensurate with experience

Supervisor Title: Vice President, Director of Culture & Sports

Summary of 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.

Position Responsibilities:

Program Oversight & Coordination

• 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

Artist Management Oversight

• 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

Travel, Lodging & Honoraria Oversight

• 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

On-Site Program Management

• 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

Supervision & Team Management

• 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

Financial & Administrative Oversight

• 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

Education/Experience:

• 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
• Experience working with federal programs or compliance frameworks preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• 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

Technical Requirements:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams is necessary for this role
• Experience with Airtable, Canva, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, Squarespace, and Salesforce and VendorRisk is helpful

Employer’s Statement

Meridian is committed to creating a diverse environment. We believe in empowering global leaders and amplifying voices of a wide variety of backgrounds to create pathways for greater understanding, shared value and respect for all cultures as connecting people has been our foundation for over 60 years. If you share our values and enthusiasm to promote non-partisan collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities, you can find a home at Meridian.

As an equal opportunity employer, Meridian promotes equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, family responsibilities, marital, veteran or military status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity will be offered and maintained to all persons at every stage and condition of employment, including recruiting, hiring, training, upgrading, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

How to Apply

The cover letter submitted with the application should include an answer to the following: Briefly describe a complex logistics project you managed and your role in its success. Qualified candidates should apply here. Only candidates being considered for this position will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS in reference to this position will be accepted.