Program Manager (Job ID: 2020-2470) at The Brookings Institution

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Global Economy and Development program (“Global”), one of the five research programs of Brookings, aims to shape the policy debate on how to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress.

Please note: This position is based in Brookings' Washington, DC office. In response to COVID-19, Brookings staff are temporarily teleworking. The person hired for this position must be willing to move to or currently reside in Washington DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia by their date of hire. 

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?  

We are searching for a dynamic, service-oriented individual to join our team.  The Program Manager is responsible for coordinating and managing staffing-related responsibilities in Global, and for aligning those activities with Global’ s vision and priorities. At the direction of the Director of Administration, and in close partnership with Brooking’s Human Resources office, the Program Manager executes and refines processes for recruiting, onboarding, and performance management, as well as training, development, and staff engagement  of over 60 program staff, and provides administrative and operational support as needed.

Staffing and Administration Support (60%)

• Support all staff, intern and temp recruitments by administering all recruitment activities and consulting with HR, program leadership, and hiring managers on recruitment strategies. Work with Global leadership, HR, and supervisors to gather, modify, create, and approve job descriptions; post and manage open positions; communicate with candidates and hiring managers about recruitment status; conduct preliminary screenings of resumes, check references, and coordinate interview logistics as needed.
• Maintain and develop the onboarding and orientation process for new employees and affiliates that supports goals of engagement and inclusion.
• Administer affiliate programs, including internship program, and fellowships. Initiate program leadership’s annual review of affiliate appointments and take the lead on correspondence concerning appointment renewals and terminations.
• Prepare for arrivals and departures, including allocation and preparation of appropriate office space, computer accounts, phones, software, and orientations for new employees and affiliates. Work with supervisors to complete paperwork and make necessary arrangements for affiliate appointments, such as visiting fellows, guest scholars, and other contracted or short-term employees.
• Support performance management of Global staff, in collaboration with supervisors and under direction of Director of Administration. Develop and maintain relationships with supervisors to stay apprised of performance concerns. Administer the annual performance review process, making sure that deadlines are well-understood by all program staff. Organize materials on staff appraisals for review by program leadership. Maintain merit increase and bonus spreadsheet, populate and update as needed.
• Builds and maintains office databases, including staff and affiliate contact lists, online recruitment resources, and distribution lists for outreach and communications efforts.
• With Director of Administration’s guidance, identify and develop opportunities to build highly engaged Global workforce. Seek opportunities to align programs with Global values of collegiality, collaboration, and excellence, and serve as resource to other staff regarding how to create conditions that promote engagement.
• Under direction of Global leadership, organize Global’ s training and development programs. Administer LinkedIn Learning (online educational platform) access for the program. Continue to develop new programming in service of program and Institution goals.
• Regularly updates “Global Guide”, staff directory, and organizational charts.
• Promote staff engagement and workforce cohesion through regular and varied social events. Organizes internal program events and meetings, such as: Global Scholar Seminar Series, Global Town Hall meetings, annual staff summer outing, and Global Operational Brown Bags.
• Participates in regular Program team meetings to discuss work status and stay informed about upcoming administrative support needs; contributes to culture of open communication and free flow of information.

Operations and Office Support (40%)

• Identifies and responds to software and equipment needs for new hires; assigns office space.
• Serves as an ITS liaison for Global as needed; maintains software and hardware lists, leads IT review for new hire during program orientation.
• Coordinates and performs general office management tasks such as maintaining Global conference room calendar, “leave” calendar, and scheduling meeting rooms.
• Ensures that program facilities, equipment, and software are well-maintained as needed
• Coordinates distribution of and maintains database for Global office keys.
• Serves as timesheet modifier of program staff’s bi-monthly timesheets in PeopleSoft as needed.
• Assists with overflow and performs other tasks as needed.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum five years administrative, project or program coordination experience required (preferably within a non-profit organization). Familiarity with recruiting in a research-oriented, team environment preferred, as is a professional interest in organizational management.  Interest in international economics, international affairs or international development policy also preferred.  Experience living, studying or working abroad is a plus.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Demonstrated ability to pro-actively address emerging concerns before they become larger problems and elevate problems to senior management as appropriate. Understanding of HR procedures and complexities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and fluency in the English language. Ability to multi-task and meet multiple deadlines with accuracy and precision in a fast-paced work environment. Extremely detail-oriented; strong organizational skills with professional demeanor and work ethic; ability to work well under pressure with poise, discretion, and mature judgment. Cooperative attitude and flexibility. Ability to work as part of a dynamic and diverse team. Proficiency in Microsoft (MS) Office Suite, including strong database and spreadsheet skills in MS Excel, required. Familiarity with iCIMS or similar recruitment software, and with video conferencing and online meeting platforms preferred. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Additional Information:

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.