The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. The Institute’s communications team also serves as an in-house agency that provides communications and marketing support to the Institute’s 70+ programs, public events, fundraising efforts, and the President’s office. Learn more at aspeninstitute.org.

The Institute is searching for a Manager, Advancement Communications, to work directly with the Aspen Institute’s Communications Department and in partnership with the Office of Institutional Advancement to develop marketing and communications strategies for engaging with donors and generating new fundraising opportunities. 

The role sits in the Communications department and will be an integral part of the Communications team, with a direct connection to the Institute’s Office of Institutional Advancement. This is a new position and with it the opportunity to form a compelling strategy to transform the Institute’s fundraising communications. Tasks described below may evolve as the strategy does. 

Position Overview

The Advancement Communications Manager will lead development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy for the Institute’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts. The person in this position will use communications and advancement best practices to develop both online and offline text, graphics, multimedia, and more to engage donor audiences with the organization’s brand. This position also works to communicate the impact of the Aspen Institute, including work across our programs, public events, and the President’s office.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the work of communicating for the Institute’s advancement efforts

• Understand, master, and help develop messaging for all donors

• Contribute to board reports, review board materials, fine-tune and polish proposals, ensuring consistency in language and brand across all donor communications

• Produce materials, both on and offline, for constituents at all levels, working closely with all levels of Institute leadership including the President’s office and Board of Trustees 

• Work closely with the VP of Advancement to ensure coordination between the Communications Department and Office of Institutional Advancement

Develop and manage a communications strategy for fundraising efforts

• Build a communications strategy for the Institute’s fundraising efforts, incorporating goals, messaging, and tactics for existing and potential donors

• Employ tried and true strategies to maintain the Institute’s fundraising base and build new audiences

• Test and report on cutting-edge digital tactics to engage audiences online

• Integrate lead generation tactics into the communications strategy 

Implement and report on communications fundraising strategy

• Content creation, including development of donor messaging 

• Collaboration with team members across departments (Communications, Office of Institutional Advancement, President’s Office) to coordinate and approve messaging

• Strategic integration of that messaging in email, social media, web/blog, and other multimedia products

• Coordinate with internal and external graphic designers to create brand-aligned collateral

• Creation and implementation of an editorial calendar that aligns with the Institute’s fundraising strategy and the ongoing communications of year-round events and activities

• Track audience and content engagement, creating reports for leadership, to better inform strategy moving forward

• Ensure all content reflects the voice of the Aspen Institute – keeping material accurate, informed, nonpartisan, aligned with the Institute mission, and focused on the impact of the organization’s work.

Support the Office of Institutional Advancement’s communications needs

• Act as primary liaison between the Office of Institutional Advancement and Communications

• Support the Office of Institutional Advancement with any communications needs, which may include: writing, proofreading, editing and revision, social media, graphic design support, email management, fundraising event communications

• Proactively identify opportunities for the Office of Institutional Advancement to integrate communications best practices and strategies into their day-to-day work

Knowledge, Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in with 5-10 years of related experience

• Experience working on fundraising communications at a nonprofit organization required

• Proficiency interpreting and acting upon fundraising and marketing analytics

• Experience with digital fundraising, lead generation, and similar tactics

• Understanding of Salesforce, iContact, WordPress, and other common fundraising tools

• Outstanding writing skills with a focus on detail and accuracy

• Strong organizational skills with ability to complete projects and handle multiple tasks simultaneously

• Ability to work independently and well with a diverse group of people throughout the organization

• Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines

• Flexible, positive, collaborative, action-oriented attitude 

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

Candidate must have the ability to work under pressure and handle stress. Candidate must also have the ability to meet the regular attendance policy of the Aspen Institute.