The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

To achieve our mission of a more free, just, and equitable society, we commit to working proactively to advance the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our myriad endeavors such as the recruitment, compensation, training, and advancement of staff. The best people-serving institutions make this commitment, and we seek to be a leader in the ways that we do so and learn from others. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment and recent actions taken toward building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment. Program Description: The Institute’s Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) is a central division focused on Institute-wide donor and prospect engagement. Areas of practice include principal and major gift fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, annual giving and membership programming through the Institute’s Society of Fellows, trustee engagement, major events, stewardship, research and gift accounting.

Basic Function:

The Senior Director of Principal Gifts & Individual Giving role is an integral member of the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA). This senior position advances The Aspen Institute’s vision by leading the creation and implementation of all principal and individual giving initiatives to meet the organization's fundraising goals.

The Senior Director will work closely with the Executive Vice President of Institutional Advancement. The salary range for this position is $200-$220k.

The Senior Director should be willing to travel regularly to see donors, to be in-person with colleagues as often as required to build meaningful connections, and willing to spend time in Aspen to participate in Aspen Ideas and other key donor-centric events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy and planning

• Partner with EVP to coordinate strategy to engage non-trustee individual philanthropists with the Campaign.
• Coordinate and oversee creative efforts to raise money for tables and donors for the Aspen Institute Annual Awards Gala in November.
• Help create and manage Campaign Committee intended to help expand reach of Aspen Institute to a broader audience of individual non- trustee donors via having them be visible leadership for the campaign and ensuring they contribute as connectors to new donors and hosts and attendees for high value add events.
• Work with EVP to ensure alignment between policy programs, leadership fellowships and OIA fundraising efforts.

Fundraising

• Responsible for portfolio of 35 ultra-high net worth individual donors with capacity for 7+ figure gifts.
• Work directly with Senior Director of Society of Fellows to ensure close collaboration and ability to maximize giving from entire universe of OIA individual donors.
• Be a visible presence at major events like Aspen Ideas and Health and Annual Awards Gala, Climate etc. to engage with other Aspen Institute leaders and with donors.

Staff management

• Manage OIA Individual fundraisers and their administrative coordinator including setting fundraising goals individually and for the team, focusing on unrestricted campaign gifts, ensuring team is meeting 10 external meeting goal per month, assisting with donor strategy, and leveraging the Office of the President.
• As one of 3 Senior Directors, be an integral part of the OIA leadership team and demonstrate leadership for the entire OIA team and as possible and appropriate mentor and coach younger fundraisers.

Financial planning and accountability

• Manage the budget for the Principal Gifts and Individual Giving team including setting goals, tracking expenses and ensuring performance meets or exceeds budget on a net income basis.
• Work with other Senior Directors and EVP to review data and metrics for OIA performance monthly or more as needed to ensure accountability for entire OIA team.

Education, Knowledge & Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit or related field.
• At least 15 years of progressively relevant experience fundraising experience.
• Demonstrable successful track record of planned and individual gift fundraising.
• Thorough understanding of all areas of fundraising.
• Professionalism with high standards and maturity to hold confidential information with utmost discretion, within and outside of the organization.
• Strong interest in the work of the Aspen Institute, and a demonstrated ability to represent the institute externally, and to translate the Institute’s mission effectively and persuasively to multiple audiences.
• Exceptionally convincing and persuasive written, oral, and public relations skills with the ability to present and convey complex ideas and issues clearly and coherently.
• Strong planning, strategy, financial, budgeting, and analytical skills for effective fundraising.
• Ability to manage multiple projects as priorities change, with an exceptional eye for detail and accuracy.
• Highly motivated to set and achieve measurable goals.
• Experience supervising and motivating fundraising staff.

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.

Individuals needing an accommodation to complete the job application can contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-1074.