Programs and Communications Officer

Duties and Responsibilities 

In this role, you will create and deliver discussions on international issues for our members and the broader community while also playing an important role in strengthening the Council's communications and public presence. You will develop compelling content, promote events across multiple channels, and help ensure the Council's brand remains visible, dynamic, professional, and relevant. 

Program Development – crafting conversations on global issues 

• Develop topics and speaker suggestions for all Community Programs (CP) and Fellows events. 

• Manage speaker invitations and liaise with speakers (and their staff when necessary) to ensure everyone has what they need for a successful experience. 

• Manage outside requests for events and shape these events to best suit the goals of the Council. 

Program Management – assuring lively and relevant conversations  

• Oversee logistics related to successful CP events. 

• Maintain internal and external events calendars and work with colleagues to ensure all events are appropriately staffed. 

• Support senior staff by providing moderator preparation as needed as well as a detailed run-of-show and attendee list. 

• Manage post-event follow-up, evaluation, and documentation to inform future programming. 

• Support the Director of Community Programs and Operations in managing the Community Programs internship program. 

External Relations, Communications, and Brand Awareness – expanding our reach and impact 

• In partnership with senior staff, implement communications strategies that support organizational priorities. 

• Help strengthen the Council's voice across programs and initiatives by maintaining a consistent organizational voice and visual identity across communications. 

• Create engaging content for email campaigns, social media, the Council website, and digital event platforms that increases engagement and expands our audience. 

• Monitor communications metrics—including email performance, website traffic, and social media analytics—and use data to improve outreach strategies. 

• Identify opportunities to promote Council programming through community calendars, media outlets, partner organizations, and cross-promotional campaigns. 

• Represent the World Affairs Council at meetings, networking events, and community functions to strengthen partnerships and increase organizational visibility. 

• Participate in and help coordinate bi-weekly Communications & Development meetings, with opportunities to take increasing leadership responsibility over time. 

• Global: Globally minded and curious about international issues.  

• Motivated: the mission matters.  

• Collaborative: Collaborative and comfortable working in a mission‑driven team. 

• Organized: Organized with strong attention to detail and comfort managing logistics  

• Communicative: A clear and respectful communicator, both verbally and in writing. 

• Relationship builder: Relationship oriented and able to build trust with partners, colleagues, and members.  

• Independent and adaptable: Takes initiative, communicates proactively, and adjusts quickly when priorities shift. 

• Creative problem solver: Approaches challenges with a positive attitude, flexibility, and a willingness to find solutions. 

• Colleagues: A small staff that is focused on the mission and on creating a supportive place to work.  

• Support: You’ll work most closely with Community Programs and Operations Director, but everyone on the team will be committed to your success.  

• Perks: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; and generous paid time off, including volunteer time off and floating holidays so you can celebrate what’s important to you.   

• Trust: We’re not into micromanaging. You have autonomy to manage your time, programs, and working relationships with external partners.   

• Opportunities: You’ll have a supportive environment to build something that will help shape the future of the World Affairs Council.   

• Recognition: We will celebrate your successes and respect your contributions and value to the organization.   

• Flexibility: We enjoy a hybrid work schedule.  

We are not looking for a “unicorn” who can do everything perfectly from day one. We know competitive applicants won’t bring every skill listed, and that’s okay. We’ll help you build the skills needed for this role. If this role sounds like a good fit, please apply. We’re looking for someone who is curious, collaborative, and excited to grow with us. 

Our compensation philosophy aligns with our values and supports the strategic initiatives guiding the Council’s work. The key principles that guide our approach to compensation:  

• Attract and retain: We strive to offer a total compensation program that attracts and retains talent and is competitive for similar organizations.  

• Motivate: We reward performance that drives the organization’s mission forward.   

• Understand the market: Benchmark base pay levels and practices against peer organizations (like-size/budget non-profits in King County) and pay within industry norms.  

• Equity in the workplace: We are committed to providing equal pay for equal work within the Council, with allowable pay differences based on factors not prohibited by law. While fairness is fundamental, individuals bring different experience levels and skills to roles that are themselves sometimes different – compensation reflects these meaningful differences and varies accordingly.  

The salary range for this position at the officer level is $49,000-$53,000, depending on experience and past achievement. Benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; and generous paid time off. Orca pass and phone stipend included.