Program Associate​/Program Manager (Systems and Security

Program Associate/Program Manager (Systems and Security)

Title
:
Program Associate/Program Manager (Systems and Security)

Salary
: $100,000-$160,000 (incl. healthcare and retirement contributions)

• Program Associate: $100,000-$125,000+
• Program Manager: $120,000-$160,000+

Location
:
In-person, Washington, DC; visa sponsorship available

Job Type
:
Full-time

Final date to receive applications
:
Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

The Horizon Institute for Public Service is seeking a full-time Program Associate /
Program Manager (Systems and Security) to own the digital infrastructure that our work depends on. Horizon is growing rapidly, and we serve as a talent partner to government offices and other key organizations across the policy ecosystem on some of the most consequential technology questions of our time. That work depends on systems that are reliable, well-managed, and secure. In this role, you’ll own administering and hardening our core systems, building access structures that scale with our rapid growth, rolling out security best practices across all staff, and shaping how our organization safely and effectively adopts AI tools.

In this role, you’ll work directly with Horizon’s leadership, shape our security posture during a formative growth period, and build rare expertise at the intersection of IT administration, information security, and AI infrastructure. Competitive applicants will most likely have 1-3+ years of relevant work experience in IT administration, security, or a technical operations role.

Early-career applicants will likely be considered for this role at the Program Associate tier, while candidates with more experience may be considered for the Program Manager tier.
If you think the role is a great fit for your skills and interests, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t have previous experience in this exact field
. Our hiring process is designed to test for aptitudes and skills, not specific resume markers.

Emerging technologies like AI are rapidly reshaping our world. The US government plays an essential role in developing and governing such technologies. But policymakers’ ability to stay ahead of the curve depends on access to the requisite expertise—and right now, that expertise is sorely lacking. Horizon exists to close this gap by supporting the next generation of emerging technology policy leaders.

Since our launch three years ago, we’ve helped hundreds of professionals explore and transition into public service careers. Through our fellowship program, we’ve helped 100+ subject‑matter experts fill vital roles at top think tanks, in Congress, and in agencies across government. Our online career resources have reached 150,000+ users and we’ve supported over 1,000 individuals through events and advising and headhunting services.

We participated in the first‑ever government AI hiring fair and run the AI Policy Leadership Network . We plan to both scale these existing programs and launch several more exciting new projects this year. You can read more about our programs and impact in our 2025 year in review .

You will be Horizon’s dedicated specialist for systems administration and information security, eventually running this work end‑to‑end as we scale our team and programs. This is a full‑time role on our operations team, although you’ll interact extensively with staff across the organization through trainings, one‑on‑one advising, and collaborative tool‑building. We’re looking for someone who combines technical aptitude with strong communication, a user‑focused service mindset, and a willingness to flex as needed to advance Horizon’s mission.

If you’re energized by building secure, well‑run infrastructure at a mission‑driven organization, this role will help you develop rare combined expertise in IT, security, and AI systems and position you well for security and technology leadership roles at nonprofits, startups, or in government.

Run the systems Horizon depends on

• Administer our core systems and tools
  . You’ll handle day to day administration of Google Workspace and our broader software stack, maintain a complete overview of the systems we…