About Middle East Institute

Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute is the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated solely to the study of the Middle East. It is a non-partisan think tank providing expert policy analysis, educational and professional development services, and a hub for engaging with the region's arts and culture.

About the role

MEI is seeking a Project Manager in its Arts and Culture Center to run special projects from MEI’s base in Washington, DC. Special projects involve planning, executing, and monitoring cultural diplomacy-related contracts with partners in the Arab Gulf. Specifically, the Project Manager for International Engagement & Cultural Diplomacy will be responsible for planning and executing complex trips of US cultural leaders to the Arab Gulf and Gulf professionals to the U.S., including developing their agendas, organizing travel logistics, and meetings, developing and tracking budgets, coordinating with Gulf-based vendors, communicating with regional partners, writing reports and more.

The Project Manager will be supported by MEI’s VP for Arts and Culture, as well as the Director of the Arts and Culture Center, and will supervise an assistant and/or intern. They will also be supported by a logistics company in the Gulf. The current projects are flagship programs in a growing Arts and Culture Center committed to increasing cultural diplomacy and exchange.

The Project Manager will report directly to MEI’s VP for Arts and Culture. The position requires a highly organized, motivated, passionate individual who is comfortable managing complex logistics under pressure.

What you'll do

• Lead on the implementation of international cultural exchange trips to the Middle East
• Organize all international air and ground travel
• Handle all administrative aspects of the cultural diplomacy trips including correspondence, maintaining files and records, writing evaluation reports, and supporting all necessary follow-up work.
• Track all expenditures and maintain budgets
• Help organize on-the ground cultural diplomacy efforts for the invitees
• Manage complex logistics involving the movement of many guests
• Work with local vendors in the Gulf to manage on-the-ground logistics
• Crisis manage as needed
• Prepare final reports
• Work closely and collaboratively with MEI senior leadership on all of the above, as well as with junior support staff to ensure flawless execution of the projects
• Work on other project management related programs, as needed, if there is time and capacity
• Help brainstorm other projects with MEI team
• Provide additional support as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree
• Some experience working internationally
• Familiarity with the Middle East highly preferable
• At least five years of project management experience working for an NGO or
  business
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills with close attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with different cultures
• Highly collaborative
• Basic CRM knowledge, familiarity with project management tools, as well budgeting software
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and maintain a customer-service mindset
• Ability to work partially in-person with some irregular hours
• Ability to travel internationally to the Gulf at least 3x per year for up to 10 days