Global Programming, Events, Senior Associate

Salary Range

$65,000-$92,000

About the Milken Institute

The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.

The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, which generate the majority of its revenue, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4000+ participants from around the world, featuring 800+ speakers throughout 175+ sessions over the course of the event.

About the Position

The Milken Institute seeks a Senior Associate to join our dynamic Global Programming team within the Events Department. Members of this team oversee the content development and stakeholder engagement throughout all of the Milken Institute’s marquee events, including our flagship Global Conference. Successful candidates will bring organization, attention to detail, and creativity to bear, adding value to the Institute’s programmatic reputation and event execution.

Working closely with and reporting to the Senior Director of Global Programming, the incoming Senior Associate will also support the Executive Director of Global Programming as well as functions of the broader Global Programming team, including our global portfolio of convenings connected to the Milken Institute’s research centers.

Responsibilities

Topical Research and Content Development:

• Contribute to creative ideation between programming colleagues, business development, and research-focused pillars to ensure the most relevant, innovative, and action-oriented content is highlighted at our events.
• Staying abreast of important trends connected to the Milken Institute’s mission, such as values-driven leadership, the impact of artificial intelligence, purpose-led business, innovative technology, advancing human rights, job creation and workforce development, finance for good, etc.
• Conduct research on timely global challenges, priorities, and trends to help inform program development, session descriptions, thought leadership, and talking points within speaker briefing materials.
• Research and identify prominent and emerging leaders, including social entrepreneurs, innovative corporate executives, leading researchers, and public influencers to complement the existing high-level Milken Institute network.

Relationship Management and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Contribute to an increasingly inclusive pool of thought leaders to ensure that all Milken Institute programs reflect a diversity of both perspective and peoples. Cultivating new meaningful relationships for the Institute and collaborating on enhancing engagement for existing relationships.
• Support speaker outreach and relationship management when drafting speaker invitations, researching principal expertise, and identifying direct/secondary paths of communication to principal offices.
• Develop strategic engagement plans for high-level principals to have meaningful and productive experiences onsite at Milken Institute events.
• Prepare and design supporting documents sent to speakers to support a seamless engagement experience – including session-specific briefing materials, bespoke itineraries, etc.

Internal Coordination:

• Collaborate with various centers and departments at the Institute to create high-level content that resonates with issue-area experts, core Milken Institute stakeholders, global media, and the general public.
• Support inter- and intradepartmental communications to ensure smooth collaboration, effective processes, and deadlines are met for relevant deliverables.
• Keep relevant databases and Institute CRM up to date with accurate and thorough information. Ensure internal processes are followed and contribute to improvements and enhancements.
• Maintain collaborative working documents within the programming department and across other teams as necessary/relevant.

Event Execution:

• Attend and staff Institute events as needed to support Global Programming team and assist with speaker relationship management, session oversight, and the successful execution of a timely program of the highest level.

Qualifications

• A generalist by nature, but with interest in, and working knowledge of, topics such as: international affairs, financial markets, geopolitics, artificial intelligence, innovative technology, and global business trends.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and to work collaboratively across colleagues throughout the 300+ person Milken Institute.
• The confidence to interact professionally and competently with corporate leaders, public figures, government officials, dignitaries, and other global policy leaders.
• An appreciation of, and respect for, the unique role the Milken Institute has in convening the best minds in any field to further global solutions.
• Team-oriented. Individuals who seek out tasks when work is completed and assist colleagues to ensure goals, requirements, and deadlines are achieved.
• Multitaskers able to handle complex projects with numerous stakeholders, requiring the ability to effectively prioritize and respond promptly to internal requests.
• Innovative problem-solvers who can generate and coordinate workable solutions.
• Motivated self-starters and hard workers displaying high productivity and follow-through in all areas of responsibility.
• Exceptional interpersonal and soft skills, with a positive, collaborative personality.
• Able to embrace an attitude of “no job is too small,”, with laser-sharp attention to detail and high standards of excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred, with a concentration in one or more of the following: public affairs, political science, economics, finance, international affairs, and/or nonprofit management.
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of relevant experience with increasing responsibility and/or management in one or more of the following fields: finance, journalism, think-tanks, research, relevant nonprofit institutions, or government entities.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical skills. Effective communicator, both oral and written.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word required. Experience with Salesforce preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills and the willingness and ability to organize multiple, ongoing projects is critical.
• Ability to work full-time and embrace a hybrid work environment, including three days a week from our offices in Santa Monica (Tuesday-Thursday).
• Note, preference will be given to applicants based in, or willing to relocate to, Los Angeles, but hiring team is open to candidates based in Washington, DC.

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements

This position will work in a professional office environment. This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible.

Note

We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

This position will be working a hybrid model, where you will be expected to report to your respective office location 3-days per week (Tuesday – Thursday), this is subject to change.

The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position.  Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. Apply here

Our Culture

The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan – 403b (5%)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
• Training & Development:
  • LinkedIn Learning –over 10,000 classes offered, self-guided.
  • Mentor Program
• Wellness Resources:
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • CALM app membership
  • Gym (Santa Monica)