About the Mercatus Center:

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University advances knowledge about how markets work to improve people’s lives and fosters understanding of the institutions that support prosperity and human well-being.

About the Role:

The Mercatus Center seeks a bright and motivated Program Associate to join the Research & Programs team. As a Program Associate, you’ll contribute to supporting program leads and scholars, ensuring successful events, and executing project logistics, along with myriad other administrative functions requiring excellent attention to detail and strong organizational capabilities.

You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your professional skillset and work toward your own career goals. The team encourages advancement through university courses; this is the perfect position and team environment for someone interested in pursuing an advanced degree.

This position reports to the Program Manager at Research & Programs and works primarily at the office on the Fairfax campus.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Assist the Senior Director of Talent Programs and the Program Manager with database management and data collection, such as management of large volume of data across multiple software/platforms and data sources. Most frequently, this will include collecting and analyzing feedback from a diverse set of participants in our talent programs to evaluate and communicate the success of our talent programs.
  • Draft program notes and reports and execute special projects, delegating subtasks to other junior staff as relevant
  • Provide administrative support for talent programs, including staffing events (which include evening and weekend events) and preparing materials, assisting with recruiting efforts, and helping with the scheduling and administrative needs of program leads and scholars 
  • Contribute to office management for the Fairfax office by sharing reception desk duties and assisting in day-to-day operations, including facilities maintenance, office and kitchen supply inventory, and presenting a professional office appearance
  • Assist with creating website content, as well as copyediting manuscripts, journal articles, and other research products

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Proficiency with MS Office, in particular Excel
  • Experience in data analysis and visualization
  • Demonstrated ability to multitask and balance multiple short- and long-term projects without direct supervision
  • Ability to show initiative and creativity in improving regular processes and in developing new ones
  • Effective communicator
  • Strong writing and editing skills

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Proficiency in other data analysis software such as Stata or Python
  • Experience in data collection and with survey platforms
  • Experience in a professional staff support, program management, and/or events management role
  • Interest in economics, classical liberalism, and public policy

EEO Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
    • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to Mercatus’s mission and how you came to those beliefs
    • Salary requirements
  • Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.