Program Assistant, Forward Defense

Atlantic Council Headquarters - Washington, DC 20005

Overview Salary Range: $56,000.00 - $58,000.00 Salary/year

Position Type:
Full-Time

The Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense (FD) program, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, leads the Atlantic Council’s U.S. and global defense programming, developing actionable recommendations for the United States and its allies and partners to compete, innovate, and navigate the rapidly evolving character of warfare. Through its work on U.S. defense policy and force design, military applications of advanced technology, space security, strategic deterrence, and defense industrial revitalization, it informs the strategies, policies, and capabilities that the United States will need to deter, and, if necessary, prevail in major‑power conflict.

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges and opportunities facing the United States and the world. The Center honors General Brent Scowcroft’s legacy of service and embodies his ethos of nonpartisan commitment to the cause of security, support for U.S. leadership in cooperation with allies and partners, and dedication to the mentorship of the next generation of leaders.

The Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense Program is thrilled to hire a Program Assistant who will work on FD’s portfolio focused on defense innovation, technology, and industry, one of three main portfolio areas within FD. Within the assigned portfolio, the Program Assistant will execute administrative, logistical, and research tasks to support FD’s commissions and task forces, reports and publications; event planning and execution;

and correspondence and scheduling. This is an entry‑level role, but we are looking to invest in someone over the long term to develop and grow their defense and national security expertise. This is a unique opportunity to support high‑level defense conversations and learn from leading experts on issues impacting U.S. national security.

The ideal candidate is innovative, resourceful, proactive, and has a demonstrated interest and basic knowledge of defense and national security issues. The Program Assistant will have a keen attention to detail and the ability to multi‑task and communicate effectively in a dynamic work environment. The ability to take direction and feedback, manage up, and work collaboratively with team members across all levels is critical.

In addition, sound judgment and the skills to work on multiple projects and keep tasks and deliverables on track while balancing competing timelines is a must.

This position is based in our Washington, DC, headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $56,000 to $58,000. Applications submitted by January 30, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration.

The Program Assistant will be specifically responsible for the following:

• Provide logistical and administrative support to FD team projects and operations, including FD’s commissions and task forces.
• Prepare agendas and background materials to prepare principals for external meetings.
• Organize and execute convenings, with primary responsibility for several FD public and private events.
• Draft, edit, and proofread internal and external correspondence and other written communication.
• Liaise with internal and external offices, including with FD fellows, military fellows, partners, and stakeholders on projects.
• Maintain programmatic databases and mailing lists.
• Note‑take during events and draft write‑ups for program archives and publication on the Atlantic Council website.
• Support communications for events and reports, including drafting social media posts, website language, and scripts for videos and multimedia products.
• Support the publications process for FD reports and op‑eds, including editing, proof‑reading, design choices, and…