Program Officer, Young Leaders of America; YLAI

IREX

Job Category: Global Impact

Requisition Number: PROGR
003305

September 25, 2026

Full-Time | Hybrid

Headquarters | Washington, DC 20005, USA

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.

We are looking for a detail-oriented and communicative Program Officer to join our fun and collaborative team to support implementation of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI). Under the direction of the Deputy Project Director, the Program Officer will support management of assigned program activities, contribute to project work products such as timelines, budgets, reports, and program documentation, and ensure compliance requirements are met for assigned deliverables.

The Program Officer maybe responsible for an entire program area, as assigned by Practice Leadership, and may assume Program Coordinator responsibilities as needed.

The Program Officer will lead event planning and logistics for two milestone fellowship events, the U.S. Arrival Orientation and Market Immersion, and YLAI Closing Forum. The role will also support the international Alumni Commercial Convening and coordinate the three-day Virtual Pre-Departure Orientation and Fellowship Kick-Off. The Program Officer will partner closely with a Program Coordinator and provide mentorship, guidance, and day-to-day supervision to support successful event execution and broader program activities.

We're looking for our next team member—could it be you?

• Event planning and logistics management for large-scale virtual and in-person programs.
• Project management, including work planning, task tracking, timeline development, and deliverable monitoring.
• Budget monitoring, financial administration, procurement coordination, and expenditure tracking.
• Vendor management, including selection, onboarding, contract coordination, compliance oversight, and performance assessment.
• Strong written communication skills, including participant, partner, vendor, and donor correspondence.
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills for engaging diverse audiences and facilitating meetings.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management with participants, partners, vendors, funders, and internal teams.
• Servant leadership, coaching, mentorship, delegation, and day-to-day staff guidance.
• Collaborative problem-solving, risk management, and contingency planning in fast-paced event and program environments.
• Cross-cultural communication and ability to work effectively with international participants, commercial partners, and colleagues.
• Data management, reporting, documentation, and attention to accuracy in administrative and financial processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Copilot, and Teams, and experience using project management or collaboration tools.

• BA Degree
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of professional experience managing programs, projects, events, or related operational activities.
• Experience implementing international education, exchange, alumni, professional training, leadership development, or entrepreneurship programs.
• Experience planning and implementing large-scale in-person and virtual events, including logistics coordination, agenda development, vendor management and partnership development, and on-site event support.
• Experience working with U.S. Department of State or other U.S. government grants, contracts, or donor-funded programs.
• Experience supporting program budgeting, procurement, invoice processing, financial tracking, and compliance requirements.
• Experience coordinating with external stakeholders, including funders, partners, vendors, hotels, conference venues, speakers, participants, and partner organizations.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, orientations, networking events, or professional learning experiences.
• Experience working in cross-cultural environments with diverse international participants and partners.
• Demonstrated understanding of Latin America and the…