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 ASPEN-KERN PROGRAM FOR LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER IN HIGHER EDUCATION

A collaboration of the Aspen Institute and the Kern Family Foundation, this program supports and emboldens new college presidents (in their first to third years) to embed and expand the non-technical elements of undergraduate education—liberal education directed toward character formation for democratic citizenship and greater human flourishing. In addition to providing character-based leadership development, the fellowship fosters a greater understanding of the relationship between character and the purpose of education, a refined vocabulary for communicating the importance of character education, concrete support for applying and integrating insights into college life, and a cohort (and network) of mutual support and accountability to last a lifetime.

The Program builds and connects a national cadre of servant leaders committed to undergraduate character education for democratic citizenship and greater human flourishing; fosters a commitment to character education as a criterion for selection of college presidents; provides tangible support for the “how to” of leading an institution, incorporating character and flourishing in ways that are transformative for learners and teachers alike; disseminates existing and support current research on character education; and provides national (and global) thought leadership about the role of character education in human flourishing. The Program selects 20 new presidents representing varied geographies and institutional types each year. Fellows will attend 4 seminars over 2 years (with options for additional seminar participation), will have access to a cadre of coaches, educational and practical resources, and institution-focused seminars, as well as fellowship-specific and broader Aspen networking opportunities. The program looks to build a network of 80 new presidents over five years, with possibilities of expansion beyond that span of time.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

As part of the Program’s team, the Program Associate will work alongside the Executive Director and other team members to provide key support for the Program. This position synthesizes three distinct but interrelated responsibilities: 1) coordination and delivery of activities and events, including in-person seminars and virtual offerings; 2) researching current and prospective Fellows, resources, and developments in the field of higher education while managing information flow and supporting internal and external communications; and 3) assisting with the administrative and financial oversight of the Program.

At our seminars, the Program Associate is the main administrative contact on the ground, handling all pre-seminar logistics, overseeing the day-to-day on-site activities of each seminar, and finalizing all pre- and post-seminar administrative and financial duties. Because the position demands considerable phone, email, and face-to-face assistance directly to Fellows and their staff, the Program Associate must possess excellent customer service as well as the ability to exercise discretion, judgment, and a calm demeanor in occasional high-pressure situations. This position requires first-rate organizational skills, attention to detail, a positive attitude, and a passion for the Program’s mission of developing humanistic leaders for a better society.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Associate will also serve as a key partner for the Executive Director in working with the Program’s advisory council and cadre of coaches, developing and disseminating research and resources, as well as communicating with the growing network of Fellows and building and tracking the Program’s budget, among other responsibilities. The Program Associate will collaborate closely with colleagues across the Institute, and directly with Fellows to support their efforts and experiences. This role is ideally 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 $57,000 to $68,000 per year.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Organize and Coordinate Program Activities & Events

• Coordinate and manage all Program events, including seminars of 4-7 days for ~20 participants. This includes:

  • Creating event plans and managing the distribution, follow-up and tracking of tasks and milestones;

  • Securing conference facilities and lodging;

  • Negotiating and managing contracts and communications with conference facilities, restaurants, caterers, and other vendors;

  • Addressing risks and issues affecting event deadlines, and maintaining clear and consistent communication on status;

  • Ensuring risk management plans are in place and in accordance with Institute policies;

  • Managing event and travel related scheduling, communications, and supplies.

• On-site seminar coordination, including:

  • Overseeing and coordinating all vendor and participant activities and logistics;

  • Ensuring all participant and moderator needs are met;

  • Cultivating individual and organizational relationships with Fellows with an eye to individual and institutional support;

  • Upholding confidentiality and discretion while being present, mature, and authentic in the seminar space.

• Post-event duties include:

  • Processing all receipts, invoices, expenses, and reimbursements in a timely manner; overseeing event budgets using accounting software;

  • Compiling reports on each event, including summaries of participant evaluations, and reporting data to relevant parties.

• Coordinate and troubleshoot Fellows’ coaching assignments.

• Support virtual seminars and (eventually) the annual convening for Fellows.

Communications & Research

• In collaboration with the team, develop, produce, and manage materials and opportunities to connect and support a cadre of leaders in higher education.

• Assist in the compilation and dissemination of research and other resources related to character, viewpoint diversity, institutional leadership, and human flourishing, including the possibility of a periodic newsletter.

• Support the growth of the Program’s activities by performing research and managing information flow by, for example:

  • • Staying abreast of relevant information on Program participants and prospective participants and cataloguing these updates;

    • Ensuring contact, biographical information, and other records are up to date;

    • Helping prepare miscellaneous media and correspondence.

• Investigate technical solutions/digital products that may improve processes related to operations, relationship management, and communications.

Support Sound Program Governance and Manage Program Finances

• Assist the Executive Director with Program governance efforts, including reports, the annual budget, and meeting minutes.

• Serve as the point of contact for budget, payment, and coding needs.

• Process all Program expenses and contracts, analyzing invoices and financial reports for accuracy.

• Systematize the budget coding practices of the Program team to ensure ability to track spending across years/events and review monthly financial reports.

• Develop and update annual budgets for Program.

• Work with Aspen’s financial services team to produce regular financial reports, develop draft financial reports for the board, and other financial reporting as needed.

• Review monthly financial reports and confer with the Executive Director in the maintenance of accurate financial records.

• Process contracts through The Aspen Institute’s DDR team when applicable.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• BA degree with minimum 1-3 years of project or program management experience, ideally focusing on execution, operations, and/or program evaluation.

• Intellectual curiosity, including a demonstrated understanding of the aims of a liberal arts education, together with an appreciation of the complexities and nuances of higher education administration.

• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational abilities, and time management skills.

• Ability to work both independently and productively with small internal teams, with flexibility and a proactive mindset.

• Experience planning and coordinating meetings and events.

• Strong written and verbal communications skills and attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with shifting logistical demands in high-stress situations.

• Excellent cultural competence and experience, especially with constituents from diverse racial, ethnic, socio-economic, ideological, and geographic backgrounds.

• Accounting and budgetary experience; ability to build budgets, create projections, track performance, and provide timely reporting.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, and basic website maintenance.

• Database experience, preferably with Salesforce or similar CRM system.

• Project Management Software experience, preferable with Asana or similar system.

• Honesty, high integrity, and reliability; professionalism with high standards, and maturity to hold confidential information.

• Experience establishing organizational systems to improve efficiency and functioning in a changing environment.

• Valid driver’s license.

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.