Programs and Communications Officer

Community Programs & Communications Officer

The World Affairs Council of Seattle is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing global understanding and engagement throughout the Puget Sound region. As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary, we continue the mission we've pursued since 1951—bringing people together to explore critical global issues through public programs, Global Classroom initiatives, and diplomacy programs that connect our community with the world.

We're seeking a Community Programs & Communications Officer to help deliver engaging public programs and share the Council's mission with our community. This role combines program planning, event execution, marketing and communications.

If you're passionate about global affairs, storytelling, community engagement, and creating meaningful public conversations, we'd love to hear from you!

What We Need

The World Affairs Council is hiring a Program and Communications Officer to join our team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing people together, developing engaging public programs, and helping grow the Council's visibility and impact throughout the region. This is a unique opportunity to help build out a relatively new role for the Council, so we need someone who is excited to help shape the position.

We're looking for a highly organized, creative, and detail-oriented team member who can successfully help plan, market, and execute multiple events each month and who can help tell our story, especially as we’re celebrating our 75th anniversary. You'll report to the Director of Community Programs and Operations, supporting a wide range of initiatives while collaborating closely with colleagues across the organization, primarily the Development team and the President/CEO.

We value flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to suggest and embrace new ideas in programming and communications. This position offers an exciting opportunity to help shape how the Council engages existing audiences while reaching new communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

If you’re passionate about global affairs, lifelong learning, and connecting people through meaningful conversations, we'd love to hear from you.

Who We Are

We envision an inclusive and informed community inspired to create a just and equitable world. Our work advances global understanding and cultivates enduring relationships within our local community and with the world.

For 75 years, the Council has built a local community of globally engaged citizens. Through international exchanges, public programs, and education initiatives, we bring the world to Seattle—making global citizenship accessible to everyone.

What You’ll Do

Duties and Responsibilities

In this role, you will create and deliver discussions on international issues for our members and the broader community while also playing an important role in strengthening the Council's communications and public presence. You will develop compelling content, promote events across multiple channels, and help ensure the Council's brand remains visible, dynamic, professional, and relevant.

Program Development – crafting conversations on global issues

• Develop topics and speaker suggestions for all Community Programs (CP) and Fellows events.
• Manage speaker invitations and liaise with speakers (and their staff when necessary) to ensure everyone has what they need for a successful experience.
• Manage outside requests for events and shape these events to best suit the goals of the Council.

Program Management – assuring lively and relevant conversations

• Oversee logistics related to successful CP events.
• Maintain internal and external events calendars and work with colleagues to ensure all events are appropriately staffed.
• Support senior staff by providing moderator preparation as needed as well as a detailed run-of-show and attendee list.
• Manage post-event follow-up, evaluation, and documentation to inform future programming.
• Support the Director of Community Programs and Operations in managing the Community Programs internship program.

External Relations, Communications, and Brand Awareness – expanding our reach and impact

• In partnership with…