ABOUT US

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.

Financial Security Program

The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program’s (Aspen FSP) mission is to illuminate and solve the most critical financial challenges facing American households and to make financial security for all a top national priority. We aim for nothing less than a more inclusive economy with reduced wealth inequality and shared prosperity. We believe that transformational change requires innovation, trust, leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking. FSP galvanizes a diverse set of leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to solve the most critical financial challenges. We do this through deep, deliberate private and public dialogues and by elevating evidence-based research and solutions that will strengthen the financial health and security of financially vulnerable Americans. Visit our website: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/financial-security-program-2/

While not a minimum or mandatory qualification, we strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented demographics, and those with first-hand experience of financial insecurity to apply for this role.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Retirement Savings Initiative Lead will be part of the Inclusive Saving and Investing (ISI) Team at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, reporting to the ISI Portfolio Director. As part of the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, the ISI team seeks to spark and scale bold policy and market solutions for saving and investing that provide everyone in America with access to well-designed savings tools and rates of return that can generate financial stability and wealth-building across the lifespan, from young adulthood through retirement. Through convenings, research, and innovative partnerships, the Inclusive Saving and Investing portfolio supports a dynamic community of policy and market leaders seeking to advance universal and automatic early wealth building, emergency savings and other tools to provide people with liquidity when needed, and retirement savings.

Specifically, the Retirement Savings Initiative Lead will lead an initiative designed to identify, convene, support, and foster a community of cross-sector leaders as they seek to bring about a fully inclusive and effective retirement savings system for America. The successful candidate for this role will be able to balance big-picture, strategic thinking with a focus on important details. They will thrive in an entrepreneurial environment and will be able to devise and adjust strategy and tactics nimbly as circumstances change by staying focused on the north star of impact. They are also a curious learner who is always seeking to evolve their understanding of the facts and forces that shape (or could shape) our saving and investing systems. Finally, the candidate will be a strong relationship-builder, both internally and externally, and will excel in designing and executing strategic convenings – of many kinds – that ultimately accelerate impact.

This role reports directly to the ISI Portfoilio Director. The role is based at Aspen’s Washington D.C. headquarters, with an in-office expectation of a minimum of 2x a week to collaborate with colleagues. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $113,000 per year.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Initiative Strategy, Execution, and Project Management

• In close consultation with the ISI Portfolio Director, design and lead Aspen FSP’s strategy for the Retirement Savings Initiative, coordinating internally and externally to ensure that projects are impactful, aligned with broader FSP strategy and work, and are executed well. Major projects include but are not limited to:
  • The Aspen Leadership Forum on Retirement Savings
  • The Collaborative for Equitable Retirement Savings and the Workers’ Wealth Lab
  • Savers’ Match Working Group, Website, and associated communications products

• Recommend pivots or changes to the initiative strategy in response to external events.
• Ensure successful execution of all projects within the Initiative, whether serving as project lead, or, in consultation and coordination with FSP colleagues, delegating work effectively to relevant FSP staff members.
• Work in collaboration and partnership with Initiative Leads and other colleagues to ensure effective and strategic collaboration, consistency in our products, and making sure the sum is greater than the parts of the work.
• Manage complex projects from start to finish using project management tools and strong communication skills.
• Partner successfully with Aspen FSP’s communications team to produce communications strategies and workplans that support the overall initiative, which set clear communications goals, and which leverage the in-house and partner channels available to build momentum around the initiative.
• Effectively manage or contribute to projects across FSP’s functional teams, collaborating across teams while incorporating own expertise to maximize program impact.
• Collaborate closely with staff across the Aspen FSP team.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Cultivate and nurture relationships with dozens of market and policy savings leaders and innovators, connecting them with resources and other innovators and leaders to accelerate the impact they have on inclusive saving and investing.
• Attend external events and briefings in the savings space, sharing insights and key lessons with FSP teammates.

External Thought Leadership and Communications

• Serve as a public-facing subject matter expert and ambassador for Aspen FSP’s point of view on inclusive saving and investing, broadly, and the Retirement Savings Initiative, specifically. Regularly speak on panels, webinars, podcasts, roundtables, etc.
• Represent Aspen FSP’s point of view on inclusive saving and investing, broadly, and the Retirement Savings Initiative, specifically, to reporters and media.
• Support senior leaders in Aspen FSP in external engagement and thought leadership work related to the Initiative.

Financial Management and Fundraising

• Partner with the ISI Portfolio Director in cultivating and stewarding relationships with funders of the Initiative.
• Assist in drafting concept notes, proposals, and grant reports.
• Working closely with ISI Portfolio Director and finance team, monitor spending against grant budgets and assist in developing proposal budgets.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public policy, public administration, economics, or equivalent work experience and on-the-job training. Graduate/Master degree, or equivalent relevant experience with research and analysis, a plus.
• 5+ years of relevant experience working in the retirement savings, asset management, employer benefits, banking, credit union, or savings policy space, as well as an interest and curiosity in learning about and staying abreast of changes in both the policy and marketplace of saving and investing.
• Commitment to the Aspen FSP’s mission and interest in how to achieve the mission of holistic financial security and equitable wealth-building via inclusive saving and investing.
• Strong project management skills, including attention to detail, excellent organization, ability to set priorities and meet deadlines, and proactive project communication skills.
• Strong and efficient writing skills; ability to quickly synthesize data and present succinct, cogent arguments verbally and in writing.
• Strong communication, presentation and facilitation skills.
• Experience designing impactful meetings, convenings, and public events.
• Strong interest in facilitating dialogue and leading meetings.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, and a willingness to contribute to the team as needed to support the achievement of goals.
• Ability to be flexible, proactive and navigate different groups and settings with nuance and sensitivity.
• Ability to commit to up to 10% domestic travel, with occasional evening meetings (1-2/month).

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter.

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.

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