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.

 

THE RELIGION & SOCIETY PROGRAM

The Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program (RSP) ignites change by convening, catalyzing, and researching important challenges and opportunities at the convergence of religion, culture, and justice. The Coordinator would work primarily on our Religion Fellows program, which supports the development of faith leaders by equipping them with the competencies and skills to engage across differences, including a deep commitment to religious freedom and belief, an expansive grounding in religious literacy that includes evaluation, negotiation, and communication, and a focus on identifying, developing, and living into character virtues.

In addition to the Religion Fellows Program, RSP hosts two other initiatives: Faith Angle Forum, and the Religion & Philanthropy initiative. All three programs support cultural leaders in understanding and fostering a healthier, equitable public pluralism through robust dialogue across religious traditions. The Coordinator would also perform tasks related to successfully implementing these related programs.

In its programming, RSP honors the ideal of equitable public pluralism—basic equity, human flourishing, and justice in public life, not one tribe achieving hegemonic cultural victory over others. Many scholars and clerics argue it is possible to hold deeply to the depth of one’s own faith tradition while also embracing, learning alongside, and being sharpened by those who believe differently. Aspen Religion Fellows, our Religion & Philanthropy gatherings, and our Faith Angle convenings set the table for engagement and mutual learning, building a dense, overlapping network of like-minded peers, and bridging ideological divides. The Coordinator would support and help foster programming for some of the country’s leading clerics, philanthropists, journalists, and civic leaders.


ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Program Coordinator will report to the Program Director and work closely with the rest of the RSP team to provide primary staff support through an array of functions integral to the success of the program. As Program Coordinator, you will have the opportunity to exercise your skills in leading and managing work, engage collaboratively with the RSP team, and connect with a wide range of leaders across the nation.

This is a full-time position with a salary of $59,000 - $66,000 a year. This position is located at the Aspen Institute’s Washington, D.C. office, with the expectation to work from the office at least 40% of the time.


WHAT YOU WILL DO

Project Management

• Drive project development from inception to completion, with the guidance of RSP’s Senior Associate, including creating initial project plans, tracking milestone achievement, and proactively identifying and addressing potential obstacles.
• Maintain regular communication with Aspen Religion Fellows and program Advisors.
• Lead structured project management processes, including regular progress check-ins, post-project evaluations, and implementing data-driven improvement strategies.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation of project workflows, decisions, and lessons learned.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration among internal teams and external stakeholders, serving as the central point of communication.
• Implement effective project management tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and transparency.

Event Planning/Logistics

• Manage event logistics and execution, including travel and transportation, venues, catering, schedules, digital content, and printed materials—and help the Senior Associate and Program Director negotiate contracts and liaise with a range of vendors to execute high-level events that are financially sustainable.
• Track event budgets to advance programs objectives within funding parameters, including regular financial updates to the Program Director and Senior Associate

Communication & Engagement

• Draft and edit program-related communications, including emails, newsletters, and website content.
• Help foster a strong sense of community and understanding among 10 Religion Fellows.
• Assist in the preparation of reports and presentations on program activities and outcomes.

Operations/Financial Support

• Create and streamline processes for collecting, organizing and producing high-quality meeting materials, managing publication inventory, and handling printing, shipping and copying requirements.
• Execute efficient systems for tracking and processing post-event participant reimbursements and vendor payments.
• Create and maintain operations documentation to establish consistent processes and facilitate knowledge transfer across the team.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• 2-4 years of experience in project management and event logistics preferred (Relevant college coursework, internships, and academic projects may be considered in lieu of professional experience).
• Demonstrated project management experience, taking complete ownership of work, ensuring its high-quality delivery, and when relevant, overseeing team efforts to achieve excellence. Adept project management skills to handle increasingly complex tasks.
• Ability to be adaptable and remain flexible when carrying out strategies so that you can identify ways to better support the team.
• Ability to manage time effectively, work autonomously and with a small team;
• A positive, can-do, “Yes, and” attitude;
• Excellent computer skills and mastery of Adobe, and familiarity with office productivity tools like Asana, Cvent, Google Suite, Zoom, etc..
• Ability to travel up to 20% of time. Occasional night and weekend work is required, usually as part of the planning or execution of events.

HOW TO APPLY

All applicants must submit the following to be considered for the position:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Completed online application through the Aspen Institute web page

This job posting will close on October 20, 2025.

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 to fulfill requests, subject to availability.