Program Coordinator, Special Projects and Contracts

About the Company

The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) is a nonprofit organization of experts, educators, and advisors working to expand international trade and commerce for businesses and governments around the world. BCIU is deeply connected and trusted by 150 member companies, including many global multinationals, and maintains an unparalleled network of government relationships in every corner of the world. For sixty-five years, BCIU has advanced commercial diplomacy by addressing complex global challenges and delivering transformative engagements that align private sector innovation with government priorities. For more information, visit

About the Role

The Program Coordinator, Special Contracts and Projects will oversee and implement cross-cutting initiatives and U.S. government contracts that support BCIU's mission. This role will serve as a bridge between BCIU's Global Engagement & Initiatives unit and government partners, ensuring the successful delivery of bespoke programming, training, and strategic dialogues. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for program design, day-to-day execution, compliance and reporting, and supporting new business development to grow BCIU's contract and project portfolio.

Responsibilities

Program Development & Execution

• Develop and implement programs, workshops, and strategic dialogues related to U.S. government contracts and special projects.
• Design creative agendas, content, and formats that align with BCIU's mission and member priorities, tailoring programming for diverse sectors and regions.
• Organize high-level meetings and events, including securing venues, managing logistics, and liaising with senior government and corporate stakeholders.
• Create and edit program materials.
• Create and update event website entries to assist with program logistics.
• Coordinate with multiple program officers to support programs and initiatives.
• Assist with coordinating logistics before, during and after events, to include venue set up/tear down, printing program and marketing materials, coordination of transportation, translation, and vendor services, and other duties as required.
• Support and participate in program events with domestic and international senior government officials and global business leaders.
• Ensure BCIU protocol standards are implemented and maintained for programs, correspondence and engagements, to include seating arrangements, forms of address, and table settings.
• Prepare materials and correspondence to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee program budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful outcomes.

Contracts & Compliance

• Draft proposals, budgets, progress reports, and final deliverables for government contracts.
• Monitor and report on project progress across all contract phases, ensuring compliance with requirements.
• Conduct due diligence, research, and analysis on country, sector, and industry priorities relevant to assigned contracts and projects.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of invoices, expense reconciliations, and required documentation.

Business Development

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including contracts, partnerships, and sponsorships aligned with BCIU's strengths.
• Support fundraising efforts by cultivating relationships with U.S. government agencies, multilaterals, and corporate partners.
• Contribute to pipeline development through research, proposal drafting, and tracking of upcoming opportunities.
• Recruit high-level, multi-sector participants to BCIU engagements consistent with program goals and member needs.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and strengthen relationships with U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, international organizations, and the private sector.
• Maintain and grow outreach lists for special projects and contracts, mapping key stakeholders across industries and regions.
• Foster long-term partnerships through consistent communication and follow-up.

Research & Insights

• Provide analysis on trade, investment, and technical trends that inform BCIU programming.
• Develop subject matter expertise on key sectors (e.g., infrastructure, energy, smart grid, telecommunications, transportation, and financial services).
• Draft briefing materials and provide summaries of events and missions for internal and external use.
• Conduct background research and analysis on region, sector, member and partner information to draft leader notes in preparation of programs and initiatives.
• Using a variety of databases and innovative (self-starter) methods to track current international affairs, identify activities of top global firms or members companies, tracking political climate, global conference schedules, congressional confirmations for important officials, changes in the diplomatic community, and other topics as needed.
• Research and establish a venue and vendor tracker for DC program events and conduct site visits.
• Attend various meetings, take notes and provide summaries on the topics of the discussions.

Administration & Internal Collaboration

• Handle scheduling, meeting preparation, briefing documents, and post-event follow-up.
• Maintain organized files, databases, and trackers to support project management.
• Log and track all program and contract-related activities in BCIU's CRM system (Zoho).
• Regularly brief colleagues and leadership on project developments, leads, and follow-up actions.
• Collaborate with BCIU's regional and sectoral program teams to integrate contract deliverables into broader organizational strategy.

Other Duties

• Support the SVP of GEI and Projects on cross-cutting initiatives.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in program coordination, international business, diplomacy, trade, or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience managing U.S. government contracts or similar compliance-driven projects.
• Strong understanding of international trade, investment, and commercial diplomacy.
• Proven experience in project management, including budget oversight and contract reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to draft proposals and reports.
• Proven experience in project management, including budget oversight and contract reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to draft proposals and reports
• Research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize insights for program design
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strict attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to meet deadlines
• · Strong interpersonal skills and experience engaging senior stakeholders from government and business
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with CRM systems (Zoho preferred)
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred (international relations, business, public policy, or related fields)
• Foreign language capabilities are a plus
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (no immigration sponsorship offered)
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally and work across time zones

Compensation

• The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary commensurate with experience, in the range of $65,000 – $80,000, along with benefits including medical and dental coverage, retirement plan participation, and paid time of