Program Coordinator, Development & External Affairs

About Third Way

Third Way is a national think tank founded in 2005 to champion modern center-left ideas. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security. We are proud of the organization we have built and continue to seek out talent who contribute to our ambitious mission. We are deeply committed to promoting a culture of results and respect where every employee has opportunities to contribute, develop, and grow professionally.

The Moderate Talent Pipeline (MTP)

Third Way has launched the Moderate Talent Pipeline (MTP), an initiative to identify and place moderate leaders in political and policy roles across the government. The Talent Pipeline is part of the new Moderate Power Project—a long-term, strategic initiative to build a robust advocacy infrastructure to amplify moderate views and voices and increase political power on the center-left.

Program Coordinator Role

Third Way is seeking a Program Coordinator who will play a crucial role in the Moderate Talent Pipeline. As Program Coordinator, you will assist with sourcing, screening, and assessing potential candidates for various government positions to help create a talent pipeline to rebuild a robust infrastructure and curate our database.

Responsibilities

As the Program Coordinator, a typical day might include:

• Reviewing, sourcing, and updating candidate profiles in the Talent Bank database.
• Assisting with scheduling interviews and assessments for potential candidates.
• Conducting initial screenings of resumes and applications to identify qualified candidates.
• Communicating with candidates to provide updates on their application status and next steps in the recruitment process.
• Coordinating with Third Way team members to ensure a smooth recruitment process.
• Assisting with the creation and distribution of training materials.
• Providing general administrative support to the team, such as filing paperwork, organizing documents, and responding to emails.
• Participating in team meetings to discuss progress on open positions and upcoming recruitment and training activities.
• Continuously learning and staying updated on best practices in database operations.

Salary Range

$50,000 – $60,000 annually
At Third Way, we are committed to fair and equitable pay practices. The final starting salary offer will be determined based on your experience and qualifications.

Job Requirements

This might be the job for you if you:

• Have experience in scheduling, project coordination, or relevant activities.
• Possess strong organizational and communication skills.
• Can work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Have attention to detail and the ability to multitask effectively.
• Are proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with applicant tracking systems, such as Salesforce, is a plus.

Third Way Culture

In the Third Way culture, we are looking for:

• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and bring sustained passion for our mission.
• Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing shared priorities.
• Creators: People who foster divergent thinking and challenge orthodoxies.
• Results-oriented individuals: People committed to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability, and impactful results.
• Respectful individuals: People who embrace diverse perspectives and promote diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

What You’ll Accomplish

Within 1 Month

• Participate in Third Way’s comprehensive onboarding program, learning all aspects of Business Operations.
• Meet your Third Way Buddy and the staff, and start to learn the organization’s culture.
• Learn current processes for payroll, compliance, and labor tracking, partnering with Finance and Business Operations.
• Participate in weekly one-on-ones with your manager.
• Attend departmental weekly meetings to learn about your program’s goals and challenges.

Within 2 Months

• Understand each employee’s role and their contributions to the organization.
• Attend program overview sessions to learn more about each team’s contributions.
• Incorporate the Third Way Style Guide and Production process into your work.
• Participate in internal Professional Development trainings.
• Be actively involved in administrative activities of the Moderate Talent Bank.

Within 3 Months

• Feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the staff, team, and work.
• Attend weekly departmental meetings with a stronger understanding of strategic goals.
• Bring new ideas and suggestions to your one-on-one meetings with your manager.
• Attend external functions with team members.
• Complete your 90-day self-evaluation and performance review.
• Establish long-term goals with your manager.

Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, Third Way offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA, DCA, Parking, Transit)
• Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance
• Retirement plan
• Accrued Paid Sick and Vacation leave
• Long-term Disability and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Third Way is committed to health, safety, and wellness. All employees must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Failure to provide proof before the start date will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Work Environment

Third Way offers a flexible, hybrid work environment to support a healthy work-life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC. In-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Apply here