Management Career Track

Management Officers are action-oriented “go to” leaders responsible for all embassy operations from real estate to personnel to budgets. Management Officers develop on-target solutions in fast-paced and mission-critical situations and have multi-disciplinary responsibilities in complex situations.

Following is an overview of a potential progression in your career track:

  • Run a unit within the management section of a large embassy, or be the sole Management Officer at a small post
  • Plan and problem-solve for your customers, from the Ambassador to every local and American staff member (and their families)
  • Maintain a wide array of contacts with host country officials and local business people
  • Hone your foreign language capabilities, test your negotiating skills and learn what works in the host country’s culture and what doesn’t
  • Supervise more employees than your peers in other career tracks and have autonomy to resolve administrative problems

  • Run a management section in a medium-size embassy or consulate, or perhaps supervise human resources or other major unit at a large embassy
  • Develop and manage multi-million dollar budgets, lease and maintain government-owned and short-term leased residences and office buildings and provide the logistical platform to support dozens of high level visits
  • Negotiate with host government authorities over diplomatic privileges and immunities, applications of tax reciprocity laws and family member employment

  • As with other career tracks, become a Deputy Chief of Mission, an Ambassador, or a Principal Officer at a large consulate, or a Management Counselor at a larger post
  • If serving in Washington, D.C., you may be an Office Director, Executive Director, or Deputy Assistant Secretary, directing resources to support the work of posts throughout a region, managing the Department’s global logistics or building programs, or coordinating recruitment, training, or assignments of Foreign Service personnel