Mediator And Program Manager

Meridian Institute is a nonprofit consultancy that engages in dynamic problem solving with global leaders in business, government, civil society, philanthropy, and beyond. We are currently seeking a Mediator and Program Manager to join our team. This is a career growth opportunity, offering significant growth and advancement in a challenging and interesting field. This position may work in a hybrid fashion near our Frisco, CO or Washington, DC offices, or fully from a remote home office based in the United States.
Meridian is a nonprofit consultancy that engages in dynamic problem solving with global leaders in business, government, civil society, philanthropy, and beyond. We bring people together, helping them navigate the dynamic variables that shape any collaborative search for solutions—from individual relationships to geopolitical considerations. Our work spans industries and sectors and includes projects focused on agriculture and food systems, climate change, forests, oceans and coasts, resilience, and science and technology, among others. Across these areas, we build and support partnerships that address our world's complex challenges.  

As a member of our Practice Team, the Mediator and Program Manager works with a dynamic mix of project-based teams across a range of subjects. This role supports these teams in building understanding, guiding collaboration and decision making, and driving action within each project's context. The precise day-to-day responsibilities of this individual will vary, depending on a given project's scope of work and team structure. Mediator and Program Manager may be assigned to a range of projects within Meridian's focus areas. Mediator and Program Manager work under the supervision of Project Directors and/or other project team members but have a high degree of independence and responsibility.
Successful applicants must have experience in third-party facilitation/mediation with demonstrated ability to successfully support collaborative process design and implementation. They must also have strong oral and written communications skills, be highly organized, and be effective working with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The successful Mediator and Program Manager is a self-starter and a problem solver with foundational skills in project and people management.
The starting salary for this position is $88,880-$111,100 , depending on total years of education and experience. In following our commitment to principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, maintaining pay equity when hiring is extremely important to us. For this reason, salary offers with Meridian are non-negotiable.
Meridian is dedicated to advancing our employees' professional growth, supporting employee wellbeing, and helping them meet their healthcare and retirement needs. Meridian employees receive competitive benefits including:
A dynamic and inclusive work environment Flexible work schedules and locations for proven high performers Structured professional development opportunities Medical, dental, and a variety of voluntary insurance coverages for employees, partners, and families Generous vacation and sick leave, plus 12 holidays (fixed and floating) Employee Assistance Program DC Office Employees Only – Metro expense reimbursement for commute into work Remote Workers Only – home office internet allowance About the Position: The Mediator and Program Manager supports project teams in building understanding, guiding collaboration, and driving action to address the world's complex challenges. This position's responsibilities vary depending on the project scope of work and team membership. Mediator and Program Associates work under the supervision of project directors and/or other project team members but have a high degree of independence and increasing respo nsibility. May lead smaller projects with mentorship from senior staff. Primary areas of responsibility are:
Design process: Design effective meetings and collaborative processes. Actively support stakeholder engagement and power dynamics in keeping with Meridian's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles.??? Facilitate effective meetings: Facilitate work groups and breakout groups. Support meaningful engagement within complex—and, at times, controversial—discussions and topics using techniques that integrate interpersonal and group dynamics, as well as issues of power, inclusion, and equity. Draft meeting documentation: Draft meeting summaries, negotiation texts, and other meeting documentation as part of meeting support and follow up. Manage project finances: Track and manage project budgets and subcontracts in coordination with the finance team. Manage major aspects of grant reporting.? Manage project teams: Provide oversight and direction to team members. Delegate responsibilities, create accountability, and provide feedback to encourage growth and development in assigned roles. Coach, mentor, and develop staff, supporting new employee onboarding and performance management.?? Conduct research and situation assessments: Conduct scoping activities for projects and meetings. This includes conducting background research, drafting meeting materials, and reaching out to participants. Participate in stakeholder engagement: Interview or otherwise engage stakeholders, thought leaders and other participants in Meridian processes, including leaders of the private, non-profit, and government sectors.  Support project development: Develop proposals and project budgets for development efforts. Supports the generation of new work through task performance and opportunistic scope expansion and proposal development. Eligibility Requirements At least 5 years of experience in the field of third-party facilitation/mediation, specifically with facilitating work groups and small plenaries, co-facilitate/support larger, more challenging plenaries, resolve conflicts, etc. Education and training and/or relevant experience with the principles, practices, and tools associated with collaborative problem solving, such as facilitation, mediation, strategic planning, consensus building, and conflict resolution??? Bachelor's degree required; advanced college degree or equivalent professional experience preferred Substantive knowledge and background (through school or work experience) on one or more of the following subjects: agriculture and food systems, forest, climate change, oceans and fisheries, natural resource management, health, or a similar topic Excellent written and oral communication skills, including effective communication across an array of audiences, accurate and efficient information synthesis, strong attention to detail, and the ability to ask skillful questions that guide project work?? Demonstrated ability to successfully support collaborative process design and implementation Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds with humility, ease, and enthusiasm Fluency in English; professional fluency in an additional language is highly valued, particularly Spanish and French Meticulous organizational skills, a high level of initiative, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills? Passion and curiosity about the issues and areas of Meridian's work?? Developing project management skills with the ability to manage small projects independently A high degree of proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including but not limited to: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneNote, and SharePoint? The full job description can be found .
How to Apply: The application deadline is June 18. Please submit the following application materials :
Cover letter specifying how your experience and knowledge relate to the particular requirements of this position Resume Additional Materials : Writing sample, limited to one-page, exhibiting your ability to effectively communicate across an array of audiences. Three professional references We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest. However, due to the high volume of applications we receive, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.
About Meridian Meridian Institute is a mission-driven, nonprofit consultancy that has helped clients and partners develop and implement solutions to complicated, often controversial problems—big and small, global and local—for over two decades.
Effective collaborative decision-making involves bringing together participants with diverse backgrounds and differing viewpoints. As an organization, we seek staff that reflects and values that same diversity; successful Meridian team members are experienced working in multicultural settings and welcome new opportunities to widen their own perspectives. We bring integrity, inclusiveness, and respect for differences to every project we undertake. We are working to ensure that Meridian possesses the expertise needed to partner with—and build trust among—marginalized and disenfranchised communities, while advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within our organization and our work.
Accommodation Meridian Institute complies fully with the relevant Disability Acts and Laws in local countries. If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Meridian Institute, please contact us at .
COVID-19 Consideration At this time, Meridian Institute requires that all employees be fully vaccinated, including booster shots. In circumstances where an applicant communicates that he or she is not able to be vaccinated for COVID-19 because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance or because of a disability, then Meridian, in accordance with applicable law, will engage in the interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation is feasible that will not pose an undue hardship or create a direct threat to safety.
Equal Opportunity Employment Meridian's work is made stronger and more impactful by the contributions of diverse groups from around the world. At Meridian, we welcome people from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin, creed, class, ancestry, or other grounds.
Meridian Institute is a participating employer in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security program, E-Verify .