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The Senior Director of Finance directly oversees the day-to-day financial operations of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), partnering with the Senior Vice President, Finance (SVP), executive leadership, and the Board of Directors to safeguard organizational assets, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver accurate, timely financial information that supports mission-driven decision-making. Reporting to the SVP, this role leads the accounting function, manages a team of finance professionals, and serves as a strategic operational leader within the Finance and Administration team. This role has a projected salary band of $175,000-$200,000 per year, based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Operations and Reporting

• Oversee the preparation, review, and timely issuance of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and FASB standards applicable to nonprofit organizations.
• Analyze monthly financial results, identify variances, cost-savings opportunities, and fluctuations that impact year-end projections, and surface insights to the SVP and program leaders.
• Prepare and review monthly cash account reconciliations and serve as back-up reviewer and approver on journal entries.
• Assess transactions for proper accounting treatment, including revenue recognition under ASC 606, contribution revenue assessment, and lease accounting under ASC 842.

Audit, Tax, and Compliance

• Lead and oversee the annual financial statement audit, serving as the primary liaison to external auditors and ensuring timely, clean delivery of audit deliverables.
• Lead the preparation and review of the annual IRS Form 990 and related state filings in coordination with external tax advisors.
• Design, implement, evaluate, and strengthen internal controls and accounting policies to safeguard organizational assets and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and donor requirements.
• Implement and lead the annual risk management and compliance review in partnership with the SVP and administrative leadership.

Grants, Contracts, and Donor Reporting

• Partner with program staff to develop grant budgets, monitor grant spending, and ensure, timely financial reports for programmatic leaders and external donors.
• Manage the flow of contract review across the organization, ensuring financial terms are appropriately analyzed and documented.

Systems, Accounts Payable/Receivable, and Payroll

• Manage and optimize the accounting system (Financial Edge) and other platforms that impact organizational finances, including evaluating opportunities for automation and process improvement.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll functions, ensuring accuracy, segregation of duties, and adherence to internal controls.
• Oversee administration of organizational retirement plans in partnership with HR and third-party administrators.

Team Leadership and Strategic Partnership

• Supervise, develop, and evaluate a team of finance professionals, including the Assistant Controller, Senior Staff Accountant, and part-time Accounts Payable Specialist; assess departmental staffing needs and recommend structural changes as appropriate.
• Strategically support the SVP, executive leadership, and the Board of Directors on financial matters, including ad hoc analysis, scenario modeling, and presentation of financial information.
• Partner with members of the administrative team on issues related to personnel management, facilities, and legal compliance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, continuous improvement, and ethical financial stewardship within the finance team.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in good standing.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience in nonprofit organizations, with demonstrated leadership of a finance team.
• Public accounting experience, ideally with exposure to nonprofit audit engagements.
• Demonstrated expertise in nonprofit GAAP, including ASC 606 (revenue recognition), contribution revenue accounting, and ASC 842 (lease accounting).
• Demonstrated experience leading external audits and preparing IRS Form 990.
• Proven supervisory experience with the ability to mentor, develop, and retain finance talent.

Preferred

• Experience working within a foundation or comparable mission-driven nonprofit.
• Hands-on experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge or Financial Edge NXT.
• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience with grant accounting, restricted fund management, and donor financial reporting.

Core Competencies

• Technical Accounting Acumen – Advanced command of nonprofit GAAP, financial reporting standards, and accounting systems.
• Information Technology Acumen – Ability to utilize technology to streamline workflows and reduce man hours on tasks without risking errors or internal controls. Additional experience in cyber security best practices.
• Strategic Thinking – Ability to translate financial data into strategic insights for executive leadership and the Board.
• Leadership and People Development – Demonstrated capacity to lead, coach, and grow high-performing finance teams.
• Integrity and Stewardship – Unwavering ethical standards in safeguarding organizational and donor resources.
• Communication – Clear, audience-appropriate written and verbal communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration – Effective cross-functional partnership with program, development, HR, and administrative leaders.
• Attention to Detail – Disciplined accuracy across reporting, reconciliations, and compliance work.
• Adaptability – Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic mission-driven environment.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. The role requires the ability to sit for extended periods, communicate effectively in person and by phone and video conference, and occasionally lift up to fifteen (15) pounds. Limited travel may be required to support audit, training, or organizational meetings.

Equal Employment Opportunity

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Acknowledgment

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks a full-time director of research. The director plays a key leadership and management role within the FDD Research Department in addition to conducting research and publishing widely in their area of expertise. The director reports to the vice president of research.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the FDD editorial team, ensuring the overall quality of all FDD publications in terms of both their substance and fluidity of prose.
• Manage editorial workflow for short- and long-form publications.
• Supervise and ensure the professional development of FDD’s research analysts, helping to refine their research and writing skills and evaluate their output.
• Facilitate the adoption of AI tools to conduct original research while ensuring analytical rigor and integrity.
• Coordinate with the FDD communications team to help experts publicize their research via print, online, and broadcast media.
• Conduct research and publish widely in their area of expertise.
• Fellows are expected to produce and publicize research that has a tangible impact on U.S. foreign policy and national security, helping the United States and its democratic allies to prevail over autocratic aggressors.
• The director will have a concurrent appointment as research fellow or senior fellow.
• For this position, there is no preferred regional or functional specialization, although the candidate should have deep expertise in at least one area that aligns with FDD’s mission.

Qualifications

• PhD preferred. We will also consider candidates with comparable training and experience in a research capacity.
• 8-15 years of professional experience in research, government, and policy-related roles.
  • FDD prefers candidates with 2 or more years of experience in policy-facing roles in the executive or legislative branch of the federal government.
• Broad expertise in foreign affairs and national security, enabling the candidate to oversee publications that address the full range of issues and regions in FDD’s portfolio.
• Advanced professional editing skills, enabling the candidate to ensure the quality of numerous long- and short-form publications.
• Ability to manage high-volume editorial workflows with submissions coming from several dozen authors.
• Advanced professional writing skills.
  • FDD fellows usually publish multiple policy briefs or op-eds per month along with one or more research memoranda or monographs per year.
• Substantive understanding of the strengths and limitations of AI for conducting original research.
  • Familiarity with the use of agentic AI for research is a plus.
• Public speaking and communication ability, suitable both for in-person presentations and interviews with broadcast media, to include television, radio, and podcasts.
• Strong interpersonal skills, leadership ability, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
  • FDD strongly values those who help build a collegial and collaborative workplace environment.

Application Requirements

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter
• Residence in, or ability to relocate to, the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This is an in-person position with an option of up to two days per week of telework.

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [email protected] or (202) 207-0190.

This role has a projected salary band of $140,000-$180,000 per year, based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage based on eligibility.

FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here.

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The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks to hire a full-time senior research analyst or fellow for its Turkey Program. The selected candidate will report directly to the Director of FDD’s Turkey Program.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on various aspects of Turkey’s foreign and domestic policies, including but not limited to economic, diplomatic, defense, and technological interactions with the United States, Israel, and other countries in the eastern Mediterranean.
• Analyze and assess the implications of Turkish strategic initiatives, identifying potential challenges and opportunities for U.S. policy and strategy formulation.
• Produce high-quality written content, such as research memos and op-eds, providing insightful analysis and recommendations on Turkey-related issues for internal and external audiences.
• Collaborate closely with other members of the Turkey Program team to contribute to ongoing research projects and policy development efforts.
• Monitor and stay abreast of developments in Turkey’s political, economic, and security landscape, providing timely updates and analysis to inform FDD’s Turkey-related initiatives.
• Engage with policymakers, experts, and stakeholders in the policy community to disseminate research findings, participate in policy discussions, and help shape the discourse on U.S.-Turkey relations.
• Assist in organizing and participating in events, conferences, and briefings related to Turkey’s strategic dynamics and U.S. policy responses.
• Provide support and assistance to the director of FDD’s Turkey Program as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in a relevant field, such as international relations, political science, or economics.
• Strong research skills with the ability to conduct thorough and rigorous analysis of complex issues related to Turkey’s foreign and domestic policies.
• Excellent writing skills with the capacity to produce high-quality written content, including research memos, op-eds, and policy briefs, for various audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Turkey’s political, economic, and security landscape as well as its interactions with the United States. Awareness of Turkey’s developing weapons technologies is an added bonus.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate with team members, engage with policymakers and experts, and present research findings in a clear and concise manner.
• Proactive and self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional working knowledge of Turkish is required, with fluency preferred. Working knowledge of Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Kurdish, or Persian is a plus.
• Familiarity with commercial risk, governance, and compliance platforms would be desirable but not required.
• Title and salary commensurate with experience.

Application Requirements

• Cover letter
• Resume

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [email protected] or (202) 207-0190.

This is a hybrid position located in FDD’s Washington, DC, office. This role has a projected salary band of $85,000-$150,000 per year, based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage, based on eligibility.

FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here.

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About the Foundation for Defense of Democracies,

FDD is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) research institute in Washington, DC, focused on national security and foreign policy. Since 2001, we’ve produced independent, non-partisan research and analysis to strengthen U.S. national security and support free societies. Behind that work is a professionally run organization that depends on strong operational, finance, and people-focused talent to keep it moving—and this role is central to that.

The Senior Director of Podcasts will be FDD’s first dedicated senior leader for its podcast vertical — inheriting four established shows and the mandate to build the systems, team, and vision to elevate them into a consistently excellent, growing platform.

The ideal candidate brings equal parts passion and diplomacy: genuine conviction about the craft and the subject matter, paired with the interpersonal skill to earn the trust and creative confidence of FDD’s executive hosts. An editorial and content strategy background is preferred alongside substantive familiarity with U.S. foreign policy and national security — the issues, institutions, and players that define FDD’s work. FDD’s lineup — Foreign Podicy, The Iran Breakdown, Generation Jihad, and The FDD Morning Brief — reaches a national and international audience of policymakers, analysts, journalists, and engaged citizens.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Editorial Leadership

• Assume editorial ownership of FDD’s podcast vertical — establishing narrative direction, programming priorities, content standards, and a long-term strategic vision, in close partnership with the show hosts.
• Develop episode concepts, shape interview briefs, and ensure every show reflects the editorial quality, subject-matter rigor, and brand identity FDD’s audience expects.
• Serve as the primary editorial and operational liaison for all podcast hosts, managing or delegating scheduling, communications, episode logistics, and creative expectations with professionalism and discretion.
• Support guest outreach and booking coordination; build and maintain the logistical infrastructure that allows hosts to focus on content and relationships.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to grow the lineup, expand reach, and develop new show formats in alignment with FDD’s mission.

Production & Systems

• Own the full production lifecycle across all four shows — from pre-production planning and recording through post-production, publishing, and multi-platform distribution (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and others).
• Build reliable, repeatable production systems that reduce variability, establish consistent release cadences, and create organizational infrastructure that scales beyond any one person.
• Maintain high standards for audio quality, video presentation, content flow, and brand consistency across all shows.
• Manage studio operations and recording technology in coordination with technical staff and vendors.

Team Leadership

• Drive the recruitment, hiring, and development of a small in-house podcast team (1–2 staff), and manage an integrated network of outside contractors and editor — establishing clear roles, expectations, and accountability from the outset.
• Manage day-to-day team operations with a focus on timeliness, quality, and production discipline.
• Collaborate closely with FDD’s Communications and Digital teams on audience development, promotional strategy, social media integration, and performance analytics.

Strategy & Audience Growth

• Develop and execute a measurable audience growth strategy — with the explicit goal of raising the consistent listenership baseline across all shows to the level currently achieved at FDD’s highest-performing episodes.
• Monitor performance metrics across all platforms and translate data into programming and distribution decisions.
• Stay current on trends in podcast and digital media and make proactive recommendations on format, technology, or platform strategy.

Qualifications and Qualities:

• 8+ years of professional experience, including significant time in a editorial, content leadership, or production role in podcasting, broadcast media, digital media, or a related field.
• Demonstrated track record of editorial ownership — shaping the direction of a media product. Prior experience as a decision-maker, not just a practitioner.
• Substantive familiarity with U.S. foreign policy, national security, and the key institutions and players. Intellectual engagement with FDD’s issues is critical and candidates should be able to speak knowledgeably about the subject matter.
• Working competency in podcast production tools and workflows — recording, audio and video editing, and multi-platform distribution. Technical mastery is not required; fluency is.
• Proven ability to build or shape a small team; strong hiring judgment; track record of managing contractors and/or an internal team with clear expectations and accountability.
• Organizational discipline and consistent reliability across multiple simultaneous projects. The ability to build systems that ensure on-time, high-quality output rather than relying on heroic individual effort.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work alongside strong-personality senior executives in a high-trust, high-stakes environment.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to set a direction, communicate it clearly, and execute against it, including in the ambiguous early stages of building something new.
• A candidate based in the Washington DC area is strongly preferred; must be available to work from FDD’s office in accordance with production schedules. Exceptional candidates outside the DC area will be considered.

This role has a projected salary band of $140,000–$200,000 per year, based on candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including healthcare coverage based on eligibility.

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to send a resume and letter of interest to FDD Human Resources ([email protected]).

For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here.

Apply

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks to hire a full-time regional development director. This senior member of FDD’s development team will report to the senior director and be responsible for managing and growing a high-value donor portfolio across the Tri-State NYC region.

This role requires a seasoned fundraising professional with deep experience securing significant five- and six-figure gifts, cultivating sophisticated philanthropic partners, and driving strategic revenue growth.

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial, highly strategic relationship-builder with strong fluency, or the ability to quickly gain fluency, in foreign policy and national security issues, exceptional donor-management skills, and the ability to represent FDD with credibility at the highest levels.

This position will work closely with senior development leadership, FDD policy experts and scholars, and donor relations and events teams to engage with high-capacity donors and prospects.

• Key Responsibilities
  • Strategic Portfolio Leadership
    • Lead, manage, and grow a robust portfolio of major donors and prospects across the Tri-State NYC region.
    • Develop and execute multi-year cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with FDD’s organizational priorities.
    • Meet and exceed annual revenue goals through disciplined portfolio management, strategic solicitation, and pipeline development.
    • Conduct proactive, high-touch outreach to deepen donor engagement and clearly communicate FDD’s impact and priorities.
  • High-Level Donor Engagement & Relationship Management
    • Serve as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for major donors, prospects, and philanthropic partners.
    • Strategically plan, schedule, and facilitate donor meetings with FDD senior leadership, scholars, and experts.
    • Prepare tailored donor strategy briefs, research, meeting materials, proposals, and personalized follow-up communications.
    • Manage complex donor conversations and navigate sophisticated philanthropic expectations with discretion and professionalism.

• Event Leadership & Regional Engagement
  • Represent FDD at high-level donor programs, private briefings, parlor meetings, and regional events throughout the Tri-State NYC area.
  • Identify and develop opportunities to convene donors and prospects for high-impact engagements that strengthen relationships and advance giving.
  • Partner closely with events and operations teams to ensure seamless execution of donor-facing programs tied to portfolio strategy.

• Collaboration & Organizational Alignment
  • Work closely with senior development leadership to design and execute major gift strategies and regional growth plans.
  • Collaborate across investor relations, donor experience, policy, research, and operations teams to ensure cohesive stewardship.
  • Coordinate internally on upgrades, proposals, impact reporting, and long-term donor cultivation efforts.
  • Contribute to team-wide strategy discussions, best practices, and the continuous refinement of development processes.

• Qualifications
  • 7-10 years of professional fundraising experience, with direct responsibility for securing five- and six-figure gifts.
  • Demonstrated success managing a sophisticated donor portfolio within a competitive philanthropic landscape.
  • Strong working knowledge of foreign policy, national security, and geopolitical issues, or the ability to gain fluency quickly.
  • Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-management skills.
  • Highly strategic thinker capable of developing customized cultivation and solicitation pathways.
  • Comfortable engaging high-capacity individuals, including business leaders, philanthropists, and senior national security stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to work independently, manage complex priorities, and execute with precision in a mission-driven, entrepreneurial environment.
  • Exceptional organizational discipline, judgment, and attention to detail.
  • Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the Tri-State NYC region and to Washington, DC.

• Application Requirements
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Portfolio examples

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [email protected] or (202) 207-0190.

This is a remote position that requires regular travel throughout the Tri-State NYC region and occasional travel to FDD’s Washington, DC, office. This role has a projected salary band of $175,000-$225,000 per year, based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage based on eligibility. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here.

FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here.

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The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks to hire a full-time Regional Development Director. This member of FDD’s development team will report to the Senior Director and be responsible for managing and growing a high-value donor portfolio based in Chicago, with coverage across the greater Midwest region.

This role is ideal for a driven fundraising professional with experience securing five- and six-figure gifts, cultivating philanthropic relationships, and contributing to strategic revenue growth.

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial, relationship-oriented professional with strong communication skills, the ability to develop fluency in foreign policy and national security issues, and a commitment to representing FDD with credibility and professionalism.

This position will work closely with development leadership, FDD policy experts and scholars, and donor relations and events teams to engage high-capacity donors and prospects.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Growth

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects based in Chicago and across the Midwest.
• Execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with FDD’s organizational priorities.
• Work toward annual revenue goals through consistent outreach, relationship management, and pipeline development.
• Maintain regular, high-touch engagement with donors and prospects to communicate FDD’s work and impact.

Donor Engagement & Relationship Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned donors and prospects.
• Coordinate and support donor meetings with FDD leadership, scholars, and experts.
• Prepare donor briefings, background materials, and follow-up communications.
• Support proposal development and donor strategy execution.

Regional Engagement & Events

• Represent FDD at donor programs, briefings, and small events throughout Chicago and the broader Midwest.
• Help identify opportunities to convene donors and prospects for meaningful engagement.
• Partner with internal teams to support the execution of donor-facing events tied to portfolio strategy.

Collaboration & Team Integration

• Work closely with development leadership on portfolio strategy and growth opportunities.
• Collaborate across donor relations, events, policy, and operations teams to ensure strong coordination.
• Support internal processes related to donor tracking, proposals, and stewardship.
• Contribute to team-wide best practices and development efforts.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of professional fundraising or relevant relationship-management experience.
• Experience supporting or securing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage relationships and advance donor engagement.
• Interest in foreign policy, national security, and geopolitical issues, with a willingness to develop deeper expertise.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Self-starter with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Willingness to travel regularly within the Midwest and periodically to Washington, DC.

Application Requirements

• Resume
• Cover letter

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [email protected] or (202) 207-0190.

This is a remote position based in Chicago, requiring regular travel throughout the Midwest and periodic travel to FDD’s Washington, DC office. This role has a projected salary band of $120,000–$160,000 per year, based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including healthcare coverage based on eligibility. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here.

FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.

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Candidates must be able to work Eastern Time hours. 

Position Summary

The Grants Manager plays a critical role in strengthening and streamlining FDD’s foundation fundraising efforts. Working in close partnership with the Director of Grants and Special Projects, this position manages grant operations, improves internal systems, and ensures timely, high-quality submissions and reporting. By owning coordination, research, tracking, and process management, the Grants Manager enables the Director of Grants to focus on strategy, relationship-building, and revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Operations & Lifecycle Management

• Manage the full lifecycle of assigned foundation grants, including proposal preparation, submission, reporting, and renewal tracking, in close coordination with the Director of Grants and Special Projects.
• Maintain and update grant calendars, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure compliance and on-time submissions.
• Coordinate with program, finance, and impact staff to gather required data, budgets, and narratives for grant applications and reports.

Prospect Research & Pipeline Development

• Conduct ongoing research on new and existing foundation funders to identify emerging funding opportunities aligned with FDD’s priorities.
• Maintain an active pipeline of prospective funders and contribute to long-term revenue growth planning for the grants program.
• Serve as the development team’s lead on wealth screening tools and platforms, including DonorSearch and Candid.

Database & Data Integrity

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the grants database and CRM, ensuring data integrity across the full grant portfolio.
• Support development team-wide data practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of grants management systems and workflows.

Scheduling, Logistics & Donor Engagement Support

• Manage complex scheduling for virtual and in-person meetings with foundation representatives and internal subject-matter experts, coordinating across time zones as needed.
• Prepare agendas, briefing materials, and logistical support for donor-facing meetings and internal grant strategy sessions.
• Set up meeting rooms with necessary materials and equipment; greet and escort guests as needed.

Team Collaboration & Organizational Alignment

• Collaborate across the development, policy, research, and finance teams to support cohesive stewardship and reporting.
• Contribute to team-wide best practices, process improvements, and the continuous refinement of grants operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2–4 years of experience in grants management, fundraising, nonprofit development, or related programming.
• Proficiency in Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, DonorSearch, and Candid a plus.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail with an understanding of financial reporting basics.
• Demonstrated ability to support senior leadership with discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized and systems-oriented; comfortable managing operational complexity with minimal oversight.
• Discreet and dependable with sensitive information.

Application Requirements

• Resume
• Cover letter

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [email protected] or (202) 207-0190.

FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.

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The Operations Associate plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth, professional, and efficient operation of FDD’s headquarters. This highly visible and dynamic position combines the day-to-day management of front office operations, organizational and internship program administration, and on-site events support. The Operations Associate serves as a key point of contact for staff, guests, interns, and vendors, providing outstanding service and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment. The role reports to the Senior Director of Operations and Strategy and is supervised by FDD’s Associate Director of Office Operations and Internships.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the first point of contact upon arrival for leadership, guests, staff, and vendors at FDD, providing a professional and welcoming experience.
• Execute day-to-day front office operations including incoming and outgoing mail and shipping, and supply inventory tracking and management.
• Maintain shared office spaces, conference rooms, and common areas to ensure cleanliness, organization, and readiness for meetings and events.
• Manage shared workspaces, hotdesking, and conference room calendars, responsive to the needs of a hybrid office work environment.
• Coordinate with Senior Director of Administration and building management regarding maintenance requests and office services.
• Monitor and respond to inquiries via FDD’s main phone line and general email inbox, directing messages to the appropriate teams.
• Collaborate with Events team for on-site events and meetings including guest reception, security list submission, room setup, catering coordination, and front-facing hospitality.
• Support the internship program, including job postings, application screenings, interview scheduling, candidate communications, and first-day documentation.
• Facilitate technology setup – from hybrid meetings to new employee onboarding.
• Support Development and Finance departments by receiving and handling incoming checks, processing and logging payment information, and ensuring secure handoff.

Qualifications and Qualities:

• Friendly, customer-service attitude, well-suited for a client-facing role.
• A team player comfortable with receiving and implementing feedback.
• A “can-do” approach to learning and executing – no task too small or job too large to attempt.
• Detail-oriented and well-organized, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• This position is located in downtown Washington D.C. and the candidate must live within commuting distance and be available to work from FDD’s office.
• Expected to work in-person up to five days per week during normal business hours.
• Ability to lift and carry items up to 30 pounds, move standard office furniture and supplies as needed, and remain on feet for extended periods during events or office tasks.
• Experience with office administration, front desk management, or event coordination preferred.
• Proficiency with Outlook, Microsoft Office, Slack, and Monday.com a plus. (Incoming mastery of these tools and platforms is not a must, but willingness to learn is.)
• Interest in FDD’s mission and programs; familiarity with the foreign policy and national security landscape a plus.

This role has a projected salary band of $60,000-$65,000 per year, based on candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including healthcare coverage based on eligibility.

FDD is a Washington, DC-based non-partisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security.

For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.

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FDD seeks a full-time U.S. military officer to serve as a Visiting Military Officer in its Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). The officer must be able to commit to a 6-month or 1-year fellowship. Some officers can conduct short-term fellowships for as little as 6 weeks, depending on several variables. Fellowships can be in person in Washington, D.C. or a partially remote hybrid arrangement. It is the officer’s responsibility to obtain permission from the respective service to conduct the fellowship.

Each officer’s fellowship experience and research are curated to build on their experience and support their professional goals. Upon completion of the fellowship, participants are invited to join FDD’s National Security Network (NSN), a nonpartisan mentorship and leadership development program for mid-career national security practitioners.

The successful applicant will have the rank of O-3 to O-6 and seek to gain research experience on issues related to U.S. defense policy and strategy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research related to the defense strategies, policies, and capabilities necessary to deter and defeat threats to the freedom, security, and prosperity of America and our allies and partners;
• Author and co-author analytical pieces for publication in newspapers, journals, and online outlets;
• Discuss research at events, both organized by FDD and in outside venues;
• Plan, execute, and attend meetings and briefings, as well as networking and professional development opportunities; and
• Support the day-to-day research and work of CMPP.

Qualifications

• U.S. military officers between the rank of O-3 (Captain/Lieutenant (Navy)) – O-6 (Colonel/Captain (Navy));
• A graduate degree in a relevant discipline;
• Demonstrated excellent analytical, research, and writing skills; and
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

Interested and qualified applicants should apply here.

To view current internship opportunities, visit us here.

About FDD’s internship program

Based in downtown Washington, D.C., the Foundation for Defense of Democracies has a number of internship opportunities available during the spring, fall and summer semesters. All FDD interns will have the opportunity to participate in a twice-monthly speaker series, which brings high-level DC officials and senior staff members to engage with interns in an intimate setting. FDD interns will be encouraged to build on their academic skills by working closely with senior staff. FDD is also happy to assist students who wish to earn academic credit for this internship. All interns are eligible for a stipend and will be required to complete specific government documentation before this stipend is paid. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. It is recommended that interested candidates submit applications early.

Please specify the department(s) for which you would like to be considered (feel free to indicate preferences) in your cover letter. While you may use the same cover letter for multiple positions, please submit a separate application for each position of interest. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For general inquiries, email: [email protected].

Eligibility

• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Should have a relevant course of study and have completed coursework in any of the following fields: International Relations, Security Studies, History, Communications, Journalism, International Economics, Political Science, Computer science, and/or a relevant STEM field of study.
• Interns should have knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, as well as basic Excel skills.
• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Application Materials Required

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover letter (Please review our website and include which FDD projects and issue areas resonate with you and why. Also indicate where you found this internship and your availability for the semester.)
3. Writing sample (no more than three pages)
4. Unofficial transcript copy