Director, Events & Strategic Engagement

The Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) seeks an experienced Director, Events & Strategic Engagement to lead the organization’s institutional events, strategic convenings, and high-level stakeholder engagement.

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for CEPA’s conferences, public programs, private roundtables, delegation visits, donor engagements, and flagship events. The role will oversee the full event lifecycle, manage relationships with senior speakers and external partners, and ensure CEPA’s convenings advance organizational and programmatic priorities.

This portfolio includes CEPA's annual flagship event, senior-level policy roundtables, international convenings, and visiting delegations. Working closely with the Executive Office, Programs, Communications, Operations, and Finance, the Director will deliver high-quality engagements involving senior government officials, military leaders, diplomats, policymakers, donors, corporate partners, and international stakeholders.

The ideal candidate combines strategic judgment with strong execution, anticipates operational needs, and remains composed while managing multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead CEPA’s institutional events and convening strategy in support of organizational and programmatic priorities;
• Develop and manage CEPA's annual portfolio of flagship events, conferences, senior-level policy roundtables, international convenings, delegation visits, and donor engagements;
• Direct the full event lifecycle, from concept development and budgeting through execution and evaluation;
• Oversee event operations, including venues, vendors, contracts, audiovisual production, registration, travel, security, and contingency planning;
• Serve as the primary liaison for senior speakers, government officials, military leaders, diplomats, donors, corporate partners, and international delegations;
• Lead and develop CEPA's External Affairs team, including staff, interns, contractors, and temporary event personnel;
• Coordinate executive participation in external engagements and maintain relationships with embassies, government agencies, and partner institutions;
• Partner with Programs, Communications, Operations, and Finance to deliver high-quality events, with Communications leading messaging, promotion, media, and public-facing content.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in events, external affairs, executive engagement, public programs, or a related field;
• Demonstrated success planning and delivering complex, high-profile events involving senior stakeholders;
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, vendors, and external partners;
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines;
• Experience supervising and developing staff;
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and attention to detail;
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel domestically or internationally as needed;

Preferred

• Experience in a think tank, nonprofit organization, government agency, international affairs institution, or similarly mission-driven organization.
• Familiarity with foreign policy, national security, or transatlantic policy communities.
• Experience supporting senior executives and managing relationships with government officials, diplomats, donors, or other high-level stakeholders.
• Proficiency with event registration platforms, CRM systems, project management tools, and Microsoft Office.

A Successful Candidate Will

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to CEPA’s mission and transatlantic values.
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Anticipate needs, identify risks, and develop practical solutions.
• Remain composed and effective in fast-moving, high-pressure situations.
• Build trusted relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.
• Exercise professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Lead with integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy while effectively managing competing priorities and deadlines.

CEPA Offers a Competitive Salary and Comprehensive Benefits Package Including

• Paid vacation leave, sick leave, and holidays; and
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.

About CEPA

CEPA is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan organization, and its mission is to ensure a strong and democratic transatlantic alliance for future generations. Headquartered in Washington, DC and led by a new generation of leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, CEPA brings an innovative approach to the policy arena. Our cutting-edge analysis and timely debates galvanize communities of influence while investing in the next generation of leaders to understand and address present and future challenges to transatlantic values and principles.

CEPA is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including, but not limited to, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, leave of absence, benefits, and internships. CEPA makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business necessity.

To be considered for this role, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.