Operations Program Associate Jobs in Severn, MD (NOW HIRING)

IREX is a global solutions provider that partners with communities and institutions in the United States and around the world to cultivate leaders, expand access to education, and create economic opportunity. With deep expertise, a forward-looking vision, and world-class practices in AI for Education, Future-Ready Workforce, Higher Education Solutions, Leadership Development, and Online Safety, IREX delivers innovative and proven solutions that help people, institutions, and communities thrive in a rapidly changing world.

IREX seeks multiple Program Associate candidates to support donor funded programs. 

Program Associates play an important role in helping IREX deliver high-quality, mission-driven programs. In this role, you will support program operations, participant and partner engagement, communications, events, data management, and administrative processes that keep programs running smoothly. This is a hands-on opportunity for an organized, collaborative, and service-oriented professional to gain exposure to international development programs while contributing to work that helps people, institutions, and communities thrive.

Range: $24.04/hour - $29.81/hour

• Program Operations & Administration: Provide day-to-day administrative and logistical support for program activities, including travel coordination, event logistics, program platforms and systems, records management, research, and other programmatic duties as assigned.
• Participant, Partner & Stakeholder Engagement: Support participant and partner recruitment, application review, intake, orientation, outreach, and follow-up; manage program inboxes and communicate clearly and professionally with internal and external stakeholders about program requirements, expectations, and timelines.
• Data, Records & Compliance: Collect, track, review, and maintain participant, partner, project, procurement, and financial records using tools such as SharePoint, Excel, and Salesforce, ensuring information is accurate, complete, accessible, and processed in alignment with established timelines and requirements.
• Communications, Events & Content Support: Draft and edit reports, presentations, newsletters, stakeholder correspondence, success stories, and other internal and external materials with supervision; collaborate with Events and Communications teams to support virtual and in-person activities as needed.
• Finance, Procurement & Grant Support: Assist with payment requests, participant and partner grants and stipends, procurement, subaward administration, budget processes, expense reconciliation, and coordination with vendors in partnership with Finance and program teams.
• Team Collaboration & Continuous Improvement: Proactively communicate progress, challenges, and professional development interests; contribute ideas and perspectives to support team decision-making; help strengthen internal processes; and foster a positive team environment aligned with IREX’s values and management principles.
• Growth & New Business Support: Support new business efforts, proposal writing, troubleshooting, process improvement, and other emerging priorities as needed.

At IREX, our culture is built on our people—and on how we work together to create meaningful impact every day. We look for colleagues who bring purpose, curiosity, collaboration, and a bias for action to help strengthen communities and advance our mission.

Successful candidates build trust across differences, move ideas into action, seek new perspectives, adapt to change, and represent IREX with authenticity and professionalism. We value people who bring strong expertise and a generous team spirit to work that advances our mission.

• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and self-manage projects in a fast-paced environment while meeting strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication abilities, including writing, editing, and verbal skills, as well as proficiency in cross-cultural and interpersonal interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team member, consistently taking initiative, providing reliable customer service to a variety of stakeholders, and adapting to changing needs.
• Proficiency in English (speaking, reading, and writing) required.
• Strong computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Office 365 products (SharePoint, Teams, OneNote), and ability to quickly learn new software tools; familiarity with Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Salesforce, Alchemer, and Canvas (or comparable LMS) preferred but not required.
• Data management and analysis skills, including cleaning, auditing, synthesizing, and summarizing data from multiple sources; Salesforce or comparable CRM/database and Alchemer or comparable survey platform experience preferred.
• Availability to support program activities during evenings and weekends as needed, especially during peak periods such as large events and document review cycles.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2+ years of relevant experience, which may include internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or a combination thereof, preferably in universities, non-profits, or organizations managing international development programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively within teams toward shared goals, and to manage difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Experience working on education solutions, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship, leadership development, and online safety programs a plus, but not required.
• Experience studying, working, or living abroad a plus, but not required

You must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

At IREX, you’ll work alongside committed, passionate, and collaborative colleagues who are united by a shared mission—making it a truly rewarding place to work. We offer learning, development, and growth opportunities, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well-being.

Please note: While we aim to offer competitive compensation, not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.

If you are excited by IREX’s mission and see yourself contributing to this work, we encourage you to apply—even if your experience does not align with every preferred qualification. We value a range of backgrounds and experiences and are especially interested in candidates who bring curiosity, initiative, strong collaboration skills, and a commitment to meaningful global impact.

Disability Specifications

IREX will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IREX seeks to attract the best-qualified candidates who support IREX’s mission and who respect and promote excellence through diversity. IREX is committed to equal opportunity and follows recruitment and selection practices that comply with all applicable employment laws. To this end, IREX recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals based on merit and experience.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

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