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 Global Opportunity Youth Network (www.goyn.org), hosted at the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions is a pioneering, collaborative effort to support “Opportunity Youth” — young people aged 15-29 who are out of school, unemployed, or working in informal jobs – in communities around the world. GOYN addresses systemic barriers that prevent youth from accessing opportunity. GOYN’s current footprint includes twenty communities in eight countries (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, and South Africa) with plans to grow to 30 communities by end of 2024.

GOYN engages multiple partners and stakeholders across ecosystems, from young people and local NGOs to employers, local government, and funders. At the global level, GOYN is supported by a group of technical and funding partners, including Accenture, Global Development Incubator, Prudential Financial Inc., Fondation Botnar, Vitol Foundation, Western Union Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, Catholic Relief Services, and IREX as well as several other philanthropic partners.

Basic Function:

The Deputy Director will provide leadership and management support to GOYN’s global team and strategic partners, overseeing and improving GOYN’s overall operations, including financial management, technology and communications platforms, team management, and culture-building. In addition, the Deputy Director will lead 1-2 global strategic pillars (and help raise associated funding) critical to GOYN’s next phase of growth and impact. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, collaborative, and a proven leader with a significant organizational leadership and management background, including managing and building teams and overseeing multi-sector partnerships. They will have a passion for and experience in the global development sector preferably focused on youth economic opportunities, and a track record of mobilizing diverse sources of financing to support mission- consistent strategic objectives.

This position reports to the Director. The salary range for this position is $180,000 - $200,000. In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the Deputy Director should be willing to be in-person in our Washington, D.C. office with colleagues a minimum of 40% of the time while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance. In-person consists of meaningful connections with colleagues in an office, traveling to a different office or locations to meet fellow staff members, at an Aspen event, at a meeting outside the office or other opportunities to meet in person with teammates and colleagues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Management and Operations

• Serve as a member of the core GOYN management team.
• Manage and support 2-4 team members and interns.
• Oversee new staff and intern recruitment and onboarding.
• Oversee and improve operational processes from Finance and Grants Management to Communications and Technology.
• Build team culture and cohesion across a far-flung group of colleagues, including agenda-setting for team meetings and retreats.
• Oversee GOYN technical partners.

GOYN Global Strategic Priorities

• Provide guidance and support to build out the next phase of GOYN’s strategy in 1-2 of its strategic pillars (e.g., global narrative change, structural justice & equity, AI applications and implications for youth employment).
• Lead design, funder cultivation, and resourcing of 1-2 cross-cutting global youth employment pathways (e.g., green economy, health, hospitality, and tourism).
• Contribute to GOYN’s overall growth strategy, including strengthening regional strategy and support across Latin America, Africa, and India.

Partnerships and External Relations

• Cultivate and steward global partnerships connected to global pillar priorities and youth economic pathways.
• Contribute to advancing GOYN’s overall influence and thought-leadership at external events, learning articles, blogs, or other.

Required Knowledge, Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 10+ yrs. experience in senior level positions of leadership and responsibility.
• Experience managing and growing both internal and external teams, particularly across geographies and time zones.
• Has lived and/or worked outside the United States for extended periods and is adept and comfortable working across diverse communities and cultures.
• Interest and expertise in managing effective operations, including supportive technology platforms.
• Experience formulating strategic pathways for growth, impact, and learning across multiple national and international contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, launching, growing, and managing nonprofit or corporate programming and initiatives.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; and proven ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Hindi, or Swahili a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a desire to learn and the ability to be flexible.
• Executive presence, public speaking experience.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally.
• Passion for advancing equity and inclusion.

To Apply:

Please go to the Aspen Institute website and follow the instructions to submit a cover letter and CV. All applicants must submit a resume and cover letter highlighting applicant’s specific qualifications for the position. No inquiries will be accepted.

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.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-5800.