KAP 2026-2027 - Marketing Coordinator - Cato Institute

The Koch Associate Program (KAP) is a career accelerator for early to mid-career professionals with a drive to tackle our country’s most pressing challenges in more effective, principled ways. KAP equips associates with the tools, mindsets, and community to succeed as social entrepreneurs—individuals excited to find new and better ways to break barriers and eliminate injustice. Associates spend one day each week engaging in experiential learning with Stand Together Fellowships and work at one of our many partner organizations the rest of the week. Our curriculum is designed to supercharge your development and equip you for long-term success as you seek to have an impact on the problems that prevent people from realizing their potential.  

About Cato 

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—a think tank—dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution — individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace – animate Cato’s research to this day.The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Overview

Cato is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Marketing Coordinator to join our expanding marketing team. This role is a key opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a fast-moving, high-impact team that is redefining how a think tank connects with the world. We operate like an in-house creative agency: strategic, collaborative, and passionate about bringing the ideas of freedom to life through powerful campaigns and experiences.

If you are eager to grow in your career and learn from experienced professionals, this position offers direct access to senior marketing leadership and exposure across the organization, from scholars and policy experts to multimedia producers and event strategists. You will learn the full spectrum of integrated marketing, from modern channels like digital advertising, PPC (pay per click), data and analytics, and lifecycle marketing to traditional tactics like print, direct mail, and email campaigns.

This is your chance to help shape Cato’s next chapter as we scale our marketing capabilities to support major initiatives like the country’s 250th anniversary and Cato’s 50th. You will play a visible role in campaigns that reach policymakers, educators, journalists, and freedom-minded audiences worldwide.

The position is hybrid, based in Washington, DC, and includes two in-office days and three remote days per week.

Responsibilities

• Support advertising operations by maintaining ad calendars, coordinating asset specifications and deliverables (print and digital), managing vendor communications, and processing invoices.
• Assist in executing integrated marketing campaigns that include both modern (digital ads, PPC, analytics, lifecycle marketing) and traditional (print, direct mail, email) tactics.
• Coordinate logistics for conferences, exhibits, and outreach programs, including exhibitor registrations, hotel bookings, on-site rentals, and materials management.
• Create and update marketing collateral such as event flyers, digital banners, promotional materials, and internal campaign documents.
• Manage team swag and promotional item workflows, including product sourcing, order tracking, and invoice processing.
• Collaborate with web staff to build and update campaign or event landing pages that drive engagement and lead capture.
• Maintain marketing content displays across public spaces, ensuring timely rotation of materials and visual consistency with brand standards.
• Build and maintain Excel-based reports, charts, and tracking tables to monitor marketing performance and campaign outcomes.
• Support day-to-day team needs by handling requests for creative production, campaign materials, and communications coordination.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to expand skills in data analytics, advertising, and digital tools.
• Contribute creative ideas and feedback to campaign planning discussions to help strengthen messaging and audience engagement.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• 2–3+ years of experience in marketing, communications, or a related field
• Demonstrated interest in public policy and in Cato’s mission to advance a free and open society
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel with the ability to build and format charts, tables, and reports to communicate campaign performance
• Working knowledge of both traditional and digital marketing tactics, including PPC, digital advertising, direct mail, and email campaigns
• Optional: Familiarity with content management systems, digital advertising platforms, and creative production tools
• A bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field
• Ability to travel: up to 10%

Skills

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with attention to accuracy and tone
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively with creative, web, and communications teams.
• Commitment to professional growth and willingness to learn new tools and techniques as Cato scales its marketing capacity.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Cover letter including:
  • An introductory paragraph describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to Cato’s mission
  • Salary requirement, and if they differ from the range listed above, why you feel it is warranted.
• Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

About Stand Together Fellowships 

Learn more about Stand Together Fellowships.

Stand Together Fellowships believes that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. Our admissions office treats all program participants and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of color, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.