Program Operations Manager (Remote)

Disclaimer:

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Remote positions at the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) require travel to our Arlington, VA office for two in-person team gatherings each year.

Job Summary:

The Program Operations Manager plays a key role in delivering high-quality convening programs by supporting operational execution across planning, implementation, and event delivery. Reporting to the Director of Program Operations, this position collaborates closely with cross-functional partners to coordinate timelines, assign and track tasks, maintain process documentation, and provide logistical support across a portfolio of online and in-person events. The Program Operations Manager also supports internal knowledge-sharing and training, contributes to continuous process improvements, and ensures programs meet IHS standards of excellence from start to finish. This role is designed with flexibility to support different types of convening programs based on departmental needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Manage a dynamic portfolio of convening programs from planning through execution, including task delegation, timeline tracking in Asana, and coordination of cross-functional team check-ins to ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
  • Adapt to experimental programs or projects that align with strategic goals and support innovation in program design and impact.
• Prepare and distribute participant-facing and internal logistics communications throughout each program cycle.
• Staff approximately 10 in-person and virtual programs annually, adhering to established convening protocols and quality standards.
  • Up to 25% travel required.
• Maintain and update program templates, checklists, and internal documentation.
• Proactively monitor timeline progression, identify challenges, and integrate lessons learned to improve future operations.
  • Contribute to team-wide knowledge sharing by identifying patterns across programs, supporting process refinement, and documenting scalable practices.
• Train and support team members on systems, scheduling tools, and workflows, and approach collaborative problem-solving with flexibility and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• 4+ years of relevant experience in event planning, program operations, or logistics coordination.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage overlapping timelines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, especially in external-facing logistics correspondence.
• Proven ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity with a strong sense of flexibility in fast-paced event environments.
• Experience with project management tools and assigning and managing task workflows; Asana highly preferred.
• Experience managing data within a CRM; Salesforce preferred.
• Detail-oriented with a track record of executing complex or multi-step events with accuracy and professionalism.
• Team-oriented with a collaborative mindset; able to contribute to team meetings, support others, and provide informal mentorship.
• Ability to provide system-specific training and troubleshoot issues related to convenings tools (e.g., Egencia, MassMailer, Box, Salesforce).
• Ability to lift 20 lbs or more.

To apply, qualified candidates must submit the following materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing your interest in this position and why the IHS mission resonates with you.

EEO Statement:

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

About IHS:

The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) is a think network advancing the principles and practices of freedom in the academy, public policy, and civil society.

Founded in 1961, IHS believes that the liberal tradition has yielded unprecedented freedom and human flourishing. And in this moment, when the forces of illiberalism on both the left and right are gaining ground at an alarming pace, our vision is to spark a new spirit of liberal freedom.

Our Work:

• Cultivating a pool of intellectual talent for partners in policy, civil society, philanthropy, and the academy through $1.5 million in fellowship and career development programs.
• Catalyzing scholarship and academic networks to strengthen the fields of foundational and applied research that matter most to a free society.
• Equipping freedom-focused research centers, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organizations with the research and experts they need to maximize their impact in policy and in communities across the country.

IHS Benefits:

We have a flexible, professional, open office environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship and provides substantial opportunity for professional growth. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. IHS provides exceptional benefits to all employees, including health and dental insurance coverage (which includes paying 100% of the health and dental insurance premium for individuals), health savings accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, a parking permit and 12 free tuition credit hours annually atGeorge Mason University.