Job Description

Job Description Summary:
The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA) is one of the world’s leading schools of international affairs and one of the largest schools of international affairs in the United States. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., its mission is to educate the next generation of international leaders, conduct research that advances understanding of important global issues, and engage the policy community in the United States and around the world.

The Program Coordinator serves as a vital operational backbone for our degree programs.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Academic Programs, the Program Coordinator will work within a supportive, centralized team alongside fellow Coordinators, Managers, and Directors. In this role, you will provide general administrative, logistical, and student-facing support for a portfolio of our master’s degree programs, the Master’s of International Affairs and Master’s of International Policy and Practice, and professional skills courses. You will serve as a friendly, professional point of contact for program faculty, current students, prospective applicants, alumni, and internal campus partners.

This is an excellent early career position for an organized administrative professional looking to build a career in higher education management, academic operations, student services, or international affairs.

Core Responsibilities
Course Scheduling & Academic Operations: Assist Program Directors and full-time and part-time faculty with course planning, scheduling, and day-to-day academic logistics. Support routine operational needs, such as reserving classrooms, setting up course.
Student Liaison & Guidance: Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned master’s programs and professional skills courses. Answer common student questions, assist prospective applicants, and guide students to specialized offices (such as Admissions, Academic Advising, Graduate Student Services, and Alumni Affairs) as needed.
Budgeting & Office Administration: Provide day-to-day operational support under the guidance of the Assistant Director or other School leaders, including tracking expenses, processing payments/reimbursements, and assembling information for basic program reports and assessments.
Event & Graduation Coordination: Provide hands-on logistical support to organize and promote student events, orientation sessions, guest lectures, and workshops. Assist team members in planning graduation celebrations and key academic milestones.
Digital Communications & Outreach: Keep program web pages and digital bulletin boards current and accurate. Support outreach efforts by drafting routine student updates, creating newsletter content, and drafting social media posts.

Adaptive Team Support As a member of a close-knit team, you will contribute to our daily goals to ensure the evolving needs of our programs, faculty, and students. You may also be called upon to help with Elliott School-wide events and activities. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Work Location & Hybrid Schedule
We believe in the power of in-person collaboration and the flexibility of remote work. This is a hybrid position based at GW’s Foggy Bottom campus in Washington, D.C. The schedule typically involves three days in-person and two days remote per week—though the schedule may occasionally adjust based on program needs, such as during peak academic deadlines or special events.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates will hold a high school diploma/GED plus 3 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
To thrive in this role, the ideal candidate will bring a blend of the following attributes, skills, and experiences:

The ability to work as a member of a team and develop a strong working relationship with Academic Programs colleagues, Program Directors, and Elliott School administrative offices and staff.
The ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
Aptitude for clear written and verbal communication tailored to a variety of university audiences.
Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational abilities, and the flexibility to manage shifting priorities.
A high level of proficiency with Microsoft 365 and other common tools.
Experience working or living internationally or a demonstrated interest in International Affairs preferred.
Bachelor’s degree preferred.