Events & Administrative Coordinator

About the Federal Defender Leadership Center

Founded in 2023, the Federal Defender Leadership Center strives to ensure that every client receives exceptional representation from the federal defender community. This mission relies on dedicated leaders who are deeply committed to defending human and constitutional rights. Our small, high-performing team operates in a startup-like environment characterized by speed, creativity, intellectual challenge, and a sincere dedication to our work.

The Center focuses on fostering inspired leadership within the federal defender community by training emerging leaders, empowering current ones, and establishing sustainable leadership development programs. We are fully virtual as an organization embedded within the federal public defender system, with every role having meaningful ownership, visibility, and impact. We uphold principles of diversity, equality, and respect, offering equal employment opportunities without discrimination of any kind.

Position Overview

The Events & Administrative Coordinator will contribute to our mission by managing the logistics and execution of both virtual and in-person events that unite the federal defender community. This role also involves handling day-to-day administrative tasks to ensure smooth team operations. You will work closely with the Meeting Planner and report to the Director of Operations, requiring adaptability, excellent coordination, and a proactive attitude.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all logistical aspects of in-person training events and conferences with 10 to 50 attendees, including site selection, vendor management, on-site coordination, and post-event reconciliation.
• Arrange travel and accommodation for attendees and maintain positive vendor relationships to ensure seamless event experiences.
• Create and update detailed event documentation such as timelines, run-of-show plans, and post-event follow-ups.
• Collaborate on virtual event planning, taking charge of platform logistics and participant communications.
• Enhance virtual event workflows and maintain documentation for consistent, high-quality engagements.
• Act as the host for virtual Zoom workshops and meetings, managing registrations, breakout rooms, polls, and troubleshooting in real-time.
• Provide administrative assistance to Co-Directors and team members including scheduling, travel coordination, correspondence, and calendar management.
• Support contract administration and maintain organized records and internal communications.
• Contribute to daily operational tasks within a fast-paced, start-up style environment.

Qualifications and Skills

• Deep commitment to the mission of the Leadership Center and the Federal Public Defender Program.
• Minimum 3 years of experience coordinating events, trainings, or conferences, especially with in-person components.
• Experience working with hotels and event suppliers.
• Proficiency managing virtual events on platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, including hosting and troubleshooting.
• Exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with a warm and professional demeanor.
• Willingness and ability to travel as event needs arise.
• Familiarity with standard office software (Microsoft Office or equivalents), project management tools like Asana, and calendar scheduling systems.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience budget managing for events.
• Serving as an on-site lead or point of contact.
• Knowledge of participant registration and event management platforms.
• Background in executive or administrative support to senior leadership.
• A service-oriented attitude toward event participants.
• Interest in legal, nonprofit, or public service sectors.
• Comfort working in a scrappy, self-directed startup environment.

Employment Structure, Salary, and Benefits

This position is a full-time federal employment role within a Federal Public Defender Office, supervised by the Leadership Center. This unique arrangement offers federal employee stability and benefits alongside the dynamic culture of a startup organization.

The position's salary ranges from $63,795 to $82,938 annually (JSP-11, Steps 1 to 10), with locality adjustments varying by geographic location.

Commitment to Accessibility

We are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive and accessible hiring process. Reasonable accommodations are provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support their success and equal opportunity in the workplace.

Application Process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with an initial review date of August 10, 2026. Candidates should submit a single PDF including a resume highlighting relevant event coordination and administrative experience, a personalized cover letter detailing experience managing evolving or ambiguous environments, and optionally an example of an event or process improvement. References will be requested for interview finalists.