Innovation Scholar, Project Management Office (PMO)

About Us: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation harnesses the power of business to create solutions for the good of America and the world. We anticipate, develop, and deploy solutions to challenges facing communities—today and tomorrow. Specifically, our team members— Explore frontier issues, test new ideas, and suggest novel approaches to address big-picture challenges that will impact the future. Work with businesses to provide practical solutions for wider adoption, participation, and engagement. Convene and coordinate with businesses and public leaders to take immediate action in moments of unanticipated crisis. We are driven by the pursuit of innovation and partnership and hold ourselves to the highest standards. We are committed to our employees, and as part of our team we will support your long-term career development while delivering relevant learning opportunities. We will empower you to lead, develop deep expertise, and find new approaches to solving the toughest challenges. Position Overview: Are you an early-career professional or recent graduate who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys executing complex ideas? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is seeking a highly organized, action-oriented Project Management Office (PMO) to support cross-team initiatives and help translate new ideas into real-world outcomes.  This is a one-year, full-time position with the potential to renew based in Washington, D.C., offering competitive pay and benefits and meaningful exposure at the intersection of business, policy, and innovation.    The PMO plays a central execution role across the Foundation—supporting multiple teams, initiatives, and pilots by bringing structure, momentum, and follow-through to high-priority work. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working across projects, spotting gaps, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring that good ideas don’t stall at the concept stage.    The PMO will work closely with program leads and senior staff, including regular interaction with the head of operations and to the Foundation president, gaining a front-row view into how institutional priorities are shaped and delivered.     Responsibilities: Support the execution of multiple projects across teams by tracking timelines, deliverables, and dependencies. Help operationalize new ideas, pilots, and initiatives—translating concepts into clear plans and next steps. Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and coordination challenges and proactively propose solutions.  Create and maintain lightweight systems, workflows, templates, or tools that improve team efficiency.  Serve as a connector across teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment among stakeholders.  Provide hands-on operational support for high-priority initiatives, events, and experimental programs.  Document lessons learned and support continuous improvement across projects.   Qualifications: Strong organizational and project coordination skills.  High attention to detail with the ability to move quickly and manage multiple workstreams.  Comfort working across teams and navigating ambiguity.  Clear, concise communication—written and verbal.  A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.  Interest in business, innovation, policy, and organizational effectiveness.  Prior experience in project coordination, operations, consulting, program management, or fast-paced team environments is a plus.    What You’ll Gain:  Exposure to a wide range of initiatives across the Foundation and the broader Chamber ecosystem. Hands-on experience operationalizing new ideas and pilots in real time. Close collaboration with senior leaders and insight into organizational decision-making.  Opportunities to build practical skills in project management, operations, communication, and stakeholder coordination.  Strong professional network spanning business, policy, and nonprofit leadership.    Compensation and Work Structure:  Salary: $65,000 per year, with eligibility for full benefits, including medical and dental coverage.  Hybrid work environment—in-person three days per week at our office near the White House; optional remote work two days per week.   Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States. We encourage candidates with a demonstrated ability to execute, adapt, and support teams in dynamic environments to apply. Military veterans are encouraged to apply.  We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. #LI-Hybrid