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Operations Coordinator

Location: Washington, D.C.

Deadline: Apply here by April 13, 2026

Reward: $3,000 for any referral that results in a hire

About IFP

The Institute for Progress (IFP) is a non-partisan think tank focused on innovation policy. Our organization works to accelerate and shape the direction of scientific, technological, and industrial progress. IFP works with policymakers across the political spectrum in Washington, D.C. to make it easier to build the future in the United States. You can read more about our vision and mission in our founding essay written by co-founders Alec Stapp and Caleb Watney.

The Role

IFP is growing fast, and our operations need to keep pace. We’re looking for an Operations Coordinator to join our team and help build the organizational infrastructure that keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

This is a broad role by design. You’ll own benefits administration and serve as a go-to resource for staff on day-to-day operational questions, but beyond that, you’ll pitch in wherever the team needs support—whether that’s event support, facilities coordination, vendor management, onboarding logistics, or internal process improvement. The scope of this position will evolve as IFP grows and as you grow with it.

We don’t need someone who’s done it all before. We need someone with a helping-hand mentality: someone who sees what needs doing and does it, who finds satisfaction in making other people’s work easier, and who is genuinely excited to learn the ins and outs of running a high-performing organization. You’ll report to the Director of Operations.

What You’ll Do

  • Day-to-day administration of the employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and completing market research for expanded benefit offerings. Serve as the primary point of contact for staff benefits questions and coordinate with external benefits providers.
  • Support the onboarding process for new hires, including logistics, documentation, and orientation scheduling.
  • Help manage day-to-day office operations, including facilities coordination, supply management, and vendor relationships.
  • Assist with HR administration, such as maintaining employee records, tracking compliance deadlines, and processing operational paperwork.
  • Support and help coordinate events, including happy hours, policy briefings, dinners, conferences, and policy launch events.
  • Contribute to internal process improvement by identifying inefficiencies and proposing practical solutions.
  • Take on ad hoc projects across the operations function as organizational needs evolve.

Who You Are

This role could be a fit for a range of backgrounds — office management, HR, nonprofit operations, executive support, event support, project coordinators, or even a recent graduate with strong organizational skills in other contexts.

You’ll be a great fit if you are:

  • A helper at heart. You naturally notice what needs to be done and jump in. You get authentic satisfaction from making the people around you more effective.
  • Eager to learn. You may not have deep experience in every area of operations yet, and that’s fine. What matters is that you’re curious, resourceful, and excited to develop expertise as you go.
  • Organized and dependable. You can manage multiple priorities without dropping balls. People count on you, and you follow through.
  • A clear communicator. You can write a concise email, ask the right questions, and keep stakeholders informed without being asked.
  • Low-ego and high-agency. You’re comfortable doing the unglamorous work that keeps an organization moving forward, and you don’t wait for permission to solve problems. You get satisfaction from seeing the organization run smoothly.
  • Mission-driven. You care about IFP’s work and want to be part of an organization that is shaping the future of science and technology policy.

Salary & Benefits

  • IFP offers a highly competitive compensation package. We expect the salary for this role to be at least $75,000, with the potential for more based on experience.
  • Our benefits package for full-time employees includes:
    • Unlimited PTO + paid holidays
    • Generous health, dental, and vision coverage for you and dependents
    • 3 months of fully paid parental leave
    • A 5% annual employer retirement contribution

Logistics

  • This is a full-time position based in Washington, D.C.
  • This role sits within IFP’s Operations team and reports to the Director of Operations.
  • Our ideal start date is May 11, 2026.

How to Apply

  • Apply here by April 13, 2026. IFP will pay a $3,000 reward for any referral that results in a hire. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.