The Institute of International Education (IIE) is hiring a Program Lead for the U.S. Creative Tech Exchange. We invite you to join a team united by our mission to help people and organizations forge brighter futures through educational exchange and lifelong learning. Working at IIE is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make an impact. To collaborate with a passionate team, grow your skills, and contribute to programs that change lives around the world.

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Job Summary

The Program Lead will implement the ECA-funded U.S. Creative Tech Exchange (U.S. CTX) Program, which will convene up to 30 U.S. and international creative technologists for a short-term exchange focused on building skills and strengthening U.S. leadership in cutting-edge fields. The Program Lead will assist the Director, Technology Exchanges, in delivering high-quality U.S. CTX program implementation across the full life-cycle. This role will manage projects, work plans and key deliverables, spanning outreach and recruitment, application and selection, procurement and management, industry placement and mentorships, domestic and international programming, monitoring and evaluation, and alumni engagement. The Program Lead will facilitate cross-functional activities, while serving as a key point of contact for the program sponsor and other external stakeholders. The role also leads sponsor reporting, strategic partnerships with industry

THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT ON FUNDING

Essential Functions:

• Support the Director, Technology Exchanges in delivering high-quality implementation of U.S. CTX, ensuring alignment with program goals, timelines, and performance standards across the full program lifecycle.

• Design, implement, and oversee program activities, including content development, participant and alumni programming, budgets, timelines, status reporting, and closeout processes. Establish and maintain effective systems, workflows, and standard operating procedures.

• Establish the execution of work methods, systems, and processes for U.S. CTX and work with the Director to implement all aspects of deliverables.

• Lead competitive procurement and partner management to design and deliver key program components. Develop and execute a strategic outreach and recruitment plan targeting qualified U.S. participants and nominations of international participants in collaboration with U.S. embassies. Oversee end-to-end application, nomination, and selection processes.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with private sector partners to support program components such as mentorship and placements.

• Identify and implement process improvements, share best practices across teams, and contribute to organizational learning and innovation.

• In consultation with IIE’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team, supports the strategy and execution of MEL plan for U.S. CTX, including program reporting to sponsor.

Qualifications and Experience

Education and Work Experience:

Requires a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of related work experience, or combination education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Five to seven (5-7) years of relevant professional experience, preferably experience in international exchange, higher education, workforce development, or industry programs, including conferences, seminars, and professional training initiatives..

• Subject matter expertise in creative technology (e.g., design, gaming, architecture, immersive media, and AI-driven creative applications) strongly preferred; advanced degree in a related arts or technology field a plus.

• Understanding of international exchange programs and the goals of U.S. Public Diplomacy initiatives.

• Experience working with academic, workforce development, and industry/professional conferences, seminars, training and/or professional development initiatives.

• Familiarity with U.S. higher education offerings in arts and technology and trends in creative technology industries.

• Must have strong written, oral, and cross-cultural communication skills.

• Must have external stakeholder management experience (sponsor, government entities, industry partners, higher education institutions or other as applicable to this role).

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex programs, prioritize competing demands, and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.

• Experience overseeing program logistics, event planning, and curriculum or content development.

• Experience with monitoring and managing project budgets and financial literacy required. 

• Experience building partnerships and networks with private sector organizations preferred.

• Ability to assess creative portfolios across mediums and support fair, merit-based selection processes.

• Capacity to manage high-volume workloads with agility, while developing practical, innovative solutions to emerging challenges.

Salary and Benefits:

• Hiring Range: $77,623 - $101,244. A candidate’s starting salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, internal organizational equity, and geographic region.

• IIE offers a robust suite of benefits to team members including medical, dental, and vision plans, paid time off and holidays, student loan, tuition and professional development reimbursement programs, retirement plans and a family medical leave benefits. Please visit our careers page for further details.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) offers a flexible hybrid work environment which leverages both office work and telework based out of Chicago or Washington DC for this role.

Work Conditions & Physical Demands:
Essential functions are performed in a general office setting with low noise. Job demands may require long periods of sitting; telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other team members and external stakeholders. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

IIE is committed to offering a respectful work environment free from discrimination and harassment. We are committed to employing and promoting individuals based on their merits, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizen status, status with regards to public assistance or any other protected classification.