ABOUT US

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.


WEAVE: THE SOCIAL FABRIC PROJECT

Weave: The Social Fabric Project tackles the problem of broken social trust that has left Americans divided, lonely, and in social gridlock. Weave connects, supports, and invests in local leaders stepping up to weave a new, inclusive social fabric where they live. The project was founded by New York Times columnist and author David Brooks at The Aspen Institute in 2018. He remains the chair of the project.

Weave supports the people (“weavers”) who are building trust and tackling key issues in their neighborhoods. It provides them with resources and connects them in peer networks. It lifts up these often under-appreciated community connectors as important leaders by telling their stories and putting them on stages large and small. And Weave aims to inspire new generations of people to become weavers of their communities.

Weave seeks to spur a nation of weavers, brimming with deep, healthy connections, where mutual trust and affection is the norm, equity is implicit, and all find meaning in daily life.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

For the past five years, Weave: The Social Fabric Project has worked directly in communities, supporting and connecting weavers who are building trust, bridging divides and strengthening the social fabric where they live. We accomplish this by providing tools, platforms and training to weavers that help strengthen their networks, build their skills and attract more people to weaving. Additionally, we distribute microgrants—Weaver Awards—to weavers to help defray some of their costs and to acknowledge the leadership roles they are playing in their neighborhoods.

Weave is now transitioning from supporting individual weavers directly to supporting community-based organizations (e.g., community foundations, United Ways) that will create cultures of weaving in their locales by utilizing Weave’s full suite of tools, platforms and templates. These community hosts will be funded, trained, and supported by Weave to administer the Awards, nurture local weavers, and implement additional actions to amplify their impact. Weave will select, fund, train, and support 25 community hosts per year moving forward.

To lead this effort, Weave has created the Senior Manager, Community Activation position. This role will oversee and operationalize the community host model, ensuring strong systems, equitable implementation, and effective support for community hosts and awardees. This role will be expected to travel about 25% of the time and will include supervisor responsibilities for 1-2 Associate level employees and various consultants.

This position reports directly to the Managing Director. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $115,000. The role is based at Aspen’s Washington, D.C. headquarters, with an in-office expectation of at least two days per week to collaborate closely with colleagues.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Leadership and People Management

• Manage and support team members who oversee critical program components.
• Provide strategic direction, coaching, and accountability to ensure team alignment and performance.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-trust team culture amongst your team and throughout the entire Weave team.

Program Oversight and Strategy

• Support the rollout and scaling of the community host program.
• Oversee the systems and processes for selecting, funding, and supporting host organizations.
• Ensure program goals are met, including equitable distribution of Weaver Awards across diverse communities and community host utilization of Weave tools, platforms and templates.
• Monitor trends, surface insights, and recommend improvements to strengthen impact and sustainability.

Partnerships and Capacity Building

• Cultivate and manage strong relationships with community host organizations.
• Oversee the delivery of training, technical assistance, and peer learning.
• Ensure community hosts have the resources and support needed to succeed in their communities.

Operations and Accountability

• Oversee Weave’s grantmaking to host organizations and ensure compliance with reporting and financial requirements.
• Collaborate with evaluation partners to measure progress and outcomes.
• Track key performance indicators and prepare reports for funders, partners, and internal leadership.

Collaboration and Representation

• Partner with Weave colleagues across programs, communications, development, and evaluation.
• Represent Weave externally with community organizations, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to organizational strategy and long-term growth of the community host model.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Commitment to Weave’s vision of a nation brimming with deep, healthy connections, where mutual trust and affection is the standard, equity is implicit, and people find meaning in daily life.
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in nonprofit management or program leadership.
• 2+ years experience in community-based work professionally, preferably with nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated experience showcasing a systems mindset.
• Experience managing and mentoring a team, providing coaching and accountability.
• Experience developing and tracking Key Performance Indicators.
• Experience executing strategic goals and translating into operational plans.
• Experience in program evaluation.
• Ability to work autonomously and as a team player.
• Experience leading and managing teams with diverse learning and work styles
• Experience in partnerships and relationship-building with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Familiarity with relationship management and project management software.
• Proficiency with databases, Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

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.

The Aspen Institute welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs, including the interview process. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please email hrsupport@aspeninstitute.org or call 202-736-2127 in advance of your visit. Requests for ASL or CART services should be made at least two weeks in advance when possible. We will make every effort t