Program Associate

Title: Program Associate

Organization: The Creative Defense Foundation

Type: Full-time / Salaried

Location: Washington, D.C. (Hybrid)

Compensation: $70,000–$90,000

Travel: Twice per year for CDF’s semi-annual conferences

Reports to: Executive Director, with day-to-day direction from the Senior Managing Director

About the Creative Defense Foundation

The Creative Defense Foundation (CDF) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a forum for education and discussion on harnessing entrepreneurial innovation and creative disruption for our common defense. Its mission is to promote meaningful engagement between national security agencies, Congressional leaders, and top intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs from the U.S. and its allies, to strengthen our collective security in a rapidly advancing technology landscape.

CDF hosts two signature events each year: Creative Disruptors in the Desert in February in California, and Creative Disruptors by the Lakes in September in Minnesota. These convenings bring together senior representatives from government, academia, industry, allies and partners, and venture capital to identify policies and practices that advance national security. CDF also hosts policy-focused roundtables, salon dinners, receptions, and a podcast series throughout the year. As a small, fast-moving team, every member of staff carries real responsibility and works directly with senior leadership.

Position Summary

The Program Associate provides day-to-day execution support for CDF’s programs, including its conferences, roundtables, thought leadership, and advocacy engagements. Working under the direction of the Executive Director and Senior Managing Director, the Program Associate handles the day-to-day execution that brings CDF's programs to life, from preparation and outreach through delivery and follow-up.

The ideal candidate has a few years of professional experience, is exceptionally organized, writes clearly, and handles detail with discretion around senior government officials, congressional staff, and industry executives. Strong performers will take on more substantive program responsibility as CDF grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of CDF's conferences, roundtables, salon dinners, receptions, and other mission-driven engagements.
• Serve as CDF's primary link to its events firm and vendors, ensuring they have accurate, up-to-date information throughout the planning cycle. 
• Manage event registration and attendee information, and coordinate speaker and VIP support, such as tracking travel and gathering biographies and materials. 
• Provide on-site support at CDF events, acting as a point of coordination between CDF and the events team.
• Prepare and update agendas, marketing, and briefing materials under the direction of senior leadership.
• Support sponsor coordination, including tracking deliverables and helping with invoicing
• Support podcast and thought leadership activities, including guest coordination and background materials.
• Maintain CDF's contact and invitation lists, and manage email campaigns, newsletters, and website content. 
• Draft social media and event communications for leadership review.
• Monitor CDF's shared inboxes, respond to inbound inquiries, and route items that require senior attention.
• Support senior leadership with program-related scheduling, travel, and follow-up on action items.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in public affairs, event management, program coordination, or executive support.
• Exceptional organization and attention to detail across concurrent deadlines.
• Strong writing and editing skills appropriate for a senior audience.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in working with senior government, congressional, and industry leaders.
• High proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Comfort taking on a wide range of tasks in a small, fast-moving organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience on Capitol Hill, government, public affairs or consulting, or at a policy-focused organization.
• Experience supporting conferences, policy roundtables, or other high-level convenings. 
• Familiarity with event registration, email marketing, and website content management platforms. 
• Experience supporting thought leadership or communications work, such as podcasts, briefing materials, or social media.
• Familiarity with the defense and national security community, including how Congress and the Department of Defense are organized.
• Familiarity with supporting government participants at events, including ethics and gift rule considerations.

The Creative Defense Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.