Foundation Program Officer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Description

Title: Associate, Culture & Sports

Employment Status: NON-EXEMPT

Salary: $21.71 per hour

Supervisor Title: Program Officer, Culture & Sports

Date Revised:  September 2026

Summary of Position:

Meridian International Center is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Associate, Sports, in its Center for Culture & Sports Diplomacy. This position will primarily support the delivery of the Sports Envoys and Sports Diplomacy On-Demand programs, as well as the Arts and Music Envoy Program. This role provides day-to-day coordination of envoy and participant engagement, including contracting, travel logistics, honoraria processing, and program support for high-profile grants, with multiple individual programs potentially taking place concurrently in multiple regions around the world. 

Working closely with a Program Officer, the Associate, Culture & Sports will support the execution of a complex portfolio of envoys and partners, ensuring smooth operations and a high-quality experience. This role requires strong administrative and logistical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

This position is contingent upon Meridian successfully securing a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.

This position is located in Washington D.C. and Meridian requires MD, DC, or VA residence for all employees. The position may work partially remotely until further notice. 

Requirements

Position Responsibilities:

Program Participant Management & Coordination (Support Role)

• Assist in coordinating envoy engagement, including onboarding, communications, and scheduling 
• Support preparation and processing of envoy agreements, contracts, and required releases (performance, likeness, minors) 
• Help maintain clear and consistent communication with envoys before and during the program 
• Track envoy details and requirements to support program delivery 
• Support business and grant opportunities, such as U.S. and foreign government and private sector proposals, and network development and management of Meridian's Sports Diplomacy Leadership Council

Travel, Lodging & Itinerary Support

• Assist with coordination of envoy/participant travel logistics, including flights, hotels, ground transportation, and itineraries 
• Support preparation and distribution of detailed travel information to envoys and participants 
• Help monitor travel arrangements and flag issues for resolution  
• Provide logistical support to ensure smooth arrivals and departures  

Honoraria & Financial Support

• Assist in processing and tracking envoy/participant honoraria and related payments 
• Support internal coordination to ensure timely and compliant payments 
• Maintain organized records of envoy/participant-related expenses and documentation 

Program & Envoy/Participant Support

• Provide support for envoy/participant-related activities 
• Assist with execution of the run-of-show and overall program flow 
• Support coordination of schedules and envoy/participant movements 
• Help manage envoy needs, including supplies, hospitality, venues, and scheduling
• Assist in troubleshooting logistical issues in real time 
• Responsible for completing all organizational administrative responsibilities in a timely manner and meeting all organizational administrative deadlines
• Other duties as assigned 

Education/Experience:

• Undergraduate degree
• Minimum 0-2 years of related experience
• Broad knowledge of program logistics (travel and lodging), prior work with sports professionals (athletes, coaches, managers, etc.) or artists and musicians is a plus
• Or any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Effective oral and written English communication skills
• Ability to work effectively and accurately under pressure
• Mature judgment and the ability to set priorities
• Excellent attention to detail
• Superior organizational skills
• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently while functioning as part of a team
• Foreign language ability is helpful, but not required
• Strong inter-cultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with individuals from around the world

Technical Requirements:

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

Employer's Statement

Meridian is committed to empowering global leaders and amplifying voices from a wide variety of backgrounds to create pathways for greater understanding, shared values, and respect. Connecting people has been our foundation for more than 65 years. If you share our values and enthusiasm for promoting non-partisan collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities, you can find a home at Meridian.

As an equal opportunity employer, Meridian is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, personal appearance, family responsibilities, marital status, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law. This commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

Meridian provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, as required by applicable law. Applicants who require an accommodation during the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

Meridian offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include medical, dental, retirement, life and disability insurance, voluntary benefits, paid leave, and paid holidays. Eligibility and coverage are subject to the applicable plan documents and Meridian policies.

How to Apply  

Please submit both a resume and a cover letter with your application; submissions missing either document will not be considered. 

Qualified candidates should apply here. Only candidates being considered for this position will be contacted. PLEASE DO NOT CALL or E-MAIL in reference to this position.