Program Associate/Program Manager (Events)

Title: Program Associate/Program Manager (Events)

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

Application Deadline:  Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

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The Horizon Institute for Public Service is seeking a full-time Program Associate/Program Manager (Events) to own and deliver an ambitious portfolio of events — from happy hours and dinners to multi-day trips and retreats.

Horizon’s events are the launchpad for some of our organization’s biggest impact wins to date: they’re where new-to-policy talent builds career-shaping relationships, where Horizon Fellows bond and learn, and where senior policymakers meet candidates they ultimately hire. As a core member of our events team, you’ll run events for our AI Policy Leadership Network plus the Horizon Fellowship. Your scope will grow as we ambitiously expand our events program in 2027, with your portfolio enabling hundreds of connections and dozens of career transitions into high-impact policy roles each year.

Competitive applicants will likely have some relevant experience with organizing in-person and virtual events and implementing complex programs. Previous experience in US policy or emerging technology is helpful, but not required. 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 or past experience.

Our mission

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.

About the role

As Program Associate/Program Manager (Events), you’ll join a high-performing events team: you’ll work alongside another Program Associate/Program Manager and report to the Director of Events. Each team member owns a portfolio of events end-to-end; yours will initially center on the AI Policy Leadership Network (Horizon’s flagship program for senior policy professionals) and Horizon Fellowship events (including monthly dinners, two retreats, and our flagship in-person weekend), where we fly 30+ incoming fellows to DC. These programs will put you in regular contact with senior government and policy leaders as well as the talented technologists and researchers transitioning into public service. (Other programs in the events portfolio include weekend workshops, special one-off convenings like program launch parties, and internal staff events.) 

Beyond direct event management, you’ll hold a specialty in outreach and communications: writing the invitations, admissions communications, and follow-ups that shape how hundreds of people experience Horizon. We also expect to expand our programming in 2027, and you’ll have the opportunity to develop additional specialty areas chosen in consultation with Horizon leadership.

This role combines project management, event delivery, writing, and relationship management. It’s an excellent platform for advancing to program management, communications, chief of staff, or senior events positions at high-impact nonprofits, in government, or in industry.

Responsibilities

• Project-manage and execute the events in your portfolio: Develop detailed timelines, create and maintain task lists, lead project coordination meetings with stakeholders, delegate tasks, and manage competing priorities to ensure seamless execution of multiple concurrent events.
• Manage event logistics and provide comprehensive on-site support: Hire and oversee vendors; research and recommend accommodations, transportation, and catering; and create user-friendly run-of-show documents outlining event flow and contingency plans. During events (which typically occur in the evenings or on weekends and may involve occasional travel), arrive early, execute setup and cleanup, and troubleshoot issues to ensure a positive participant experience and a light lift for other staff.
• Own outreach and communications across the event lifecycle: Write and execute attendee and speaker communications from first invitation to post-event follow-up, including admissions decisions, reminders, and follow-ups that keep Horizon’s network engaged. Own RSVP management, maintaining organized, up-to-date attendee information.
• Grow into additional areas: Over time, develop ownership of additional workstreams chosen in consultation with Horizon leadership. For example, event templates and playbooks, or new event formats as our portfolio expands.

As a small, nimble, and fast-moving team, we are open to adjusting the role based on an excellent candidate’s profile and interests, and you should expect to occasionally take on work beyond what’s listed here. Event portfolios are a starting point, and we rebalance across the team as our calendar evolves.

You may be a good fit for this role if you

• Enjoy interacting with and supporting people, including at in-person and multi-day events 
• Excel at organization, project management, and executing complex projects with interdependent deadlines across multiple stakeholders; you love spreadsheets and enjoy juggling numerous balls
• Take pride in creating welcoming events that build community and foster ambition; you welcome hands-on work like organizing, setting up, cleaning up, and arranging spaces
• Naturally spot what needs to be done and have an instinct to address issues as situations evolve
• Communicate professionally in writing with diverse stakeholders
• Don’t mind evening and weekend work 1-3 times per month (with time off in lieu)
• Have a demonstrated interest in emerging technology policy (prior experience not required as long as you are excited to learn on the job) 

Additionally, Horizon has a strong team culture, and we expect you would fit well if you:

• Are entrepreneurial and a team player, adapting to new responsibilities as our fast-growing organization’s needs may change over time
• Are growth-minded and excited to give and receive feedback frequently in order to maximize performance and impact across our team 
• Are motivated by Horizon’s mission and excited to be part of a public service-oriented, user-focused, low-ego, and collaborative team
• Can work in-person in Washington, DC

Salary and benefits

The Program Associate (Events) will receive a salary of $100,000–$125,000+ based on experience and seniority. We are also open to hiring this role at the Program Manager level ($120,000–$160,000+) for candidates with substantially more relevant experience. Horizon currently offers a flexible, benefits-equivalent cash stipend (included in salary) rather than a fixed health insurance or retirement plan. The stipend can be used to purchase any of the two dozen health insurance plans on the DC public market (or just keep as an additional salary top-up if you already have health insurance coverage through a parent or spouse) and contribute to a retirement account of your choosing. Starting in late 2026/early 2027, Horizon plans to expand its benefits offerings to include 403(b) retirement accounts and employer-covered health insurance plans. 

Horizon also offers:

• Unlimited vacation, with a recommended minimum of 15 days per year 
• Remote work flexibility for up to 12 weeks/year, contingent on acceptable performance
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Up to $3,000+ per year in professional development funding
• Flexible working hours
• A productive, collaborative office with free snacks and meals 

We can provide visa sponsorship for qualified candidates.

Application process

Interested candidates should express initial interest by filling out an application by Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Please answer honestly and reflect on your responses, but do not spend too much time on your application: quick bullet points are fine, and answers do not need to be polished, as later stages will evaluate specific skills and knowledge in depth. 

The application process will involve paid work tests, a structured interview, reference checks, and a paid in-person work trial. We will acknowledge receipt of all applications and aim to get back to candidates by mid-September. Our ideal start date is November 2026, though flexibility is offered for exceptional candidates.

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. Strong candidates may not always fulfill all our required or desired criteria. Studies show that individuals from underrepresented groups may underestimate their qualifications. Therefore, we urge you not to self-disqualify prematurely. If you are excited about this work, we strongly encourage you to apply.