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 Aspen Tech Policy Hub is a West Coast policy incubator, training a new generation of science and tech policy entrepreneurs. We take experts from technology, climate, science, and related fields, teach them the policy process through fellowship and training programs, and encourage them to develop outside-the-box solutions to society’s problems. We model ourselves after tech incubators like YCombinator, but train new policy thinkers and focus the impact of their ideas.

To date, we have trained over 200 scientists and technologists through our fellowship and training programs. Our trainees have already made a considerable impact on STEM policy, from advising county governments of coastal communities on mitigating the effects of sea-level rise, to proposing amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act, to advising the City of New York on how to improve the provision of broadband services to help close the digital divide.

The Aspen Tech Policy Hub is a part of Aspen Digital, an Institute program that empowers policy-makers, civic organizations, companies, and the public to be responsible stewards of technology and media in the service of an informed, just, and equitable world.

Basic Function:

We are looking for an experienced policy professional who loves teaching, mentoring, people management, and program management to run our current slate of Aspen Tech Policy Hub programs.

The Associate Director of Programs will primarily be responsible for executing Hub’s flagship policy training programs, coordinating our multiple trainers and teachers to run programs that train experts from a variety of fields on how to impact policy. Alongside our Policy Advisor, the Associate Director of Programs will also be responsible for: 1) teaching portions of our policy curriculum; 2) mentoring trainees on policy projects, including by providing guidance on project substance and editing project products such as policy memos and app demos; 3) supporting Hub curriculum development, including identifying guest and keynote speakers for our programs; and 4) meeting with external stakeholders such as government agencies or company policy officials to promote trainee projects. The Associate Director of Programs may also help spearhead new programs and curriculum development.

This role is a good fit for candidates who are transitioning out of a policy role in government or an academic setting, and are interested in using their expertise to mentor and train the next generation of policy leaders. Teaching experience is strongly preferred, though a candidate with public speaking experience and an interest in teaching may also qualify.

This position reports to the Director. The salary range for this position is Salary: $110,000 - $150,000. Bay Area based candidates are preferred. Remote candidates must reside in the United States and must be willing to relocate to the Bay Area for up to a month annually every summer, including June 2024, to run our annual in-person fellowship program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program and Project Oversight (40%)

• Oversee execution of Hub training programs, coordinating both policy teaching and operations staff to ensure that programs are run smoothly;

• Manage project mentorship for fellow projects, ensuring that fellow projects are thoroughly reviewed prior to publication;

• Develop and manage systems to track curricula, teaching, speakers, etc.

• Manage speaker outreach for Hub programs, identifying policy speakers and sending out invitations;

• Serve as final reviewer and approver for fellow impact projects; and

• Serve as final reviewer for program materials such as syllabi, course websites, introduction emails, etc.

Curriculum Development and Teaching (25%)

• Alongside our Policy Advisor and other teaching staff, teach policy sessions for flagship Hub programs, short courses, webinars, and partnership seminars. Sample teaching topics include: Scoping a Policy Problem, Stakeholder Mapping, Executive Branch 101, Legislative Branch 101, and Company Policy 101;

• Revise program curricula for current programs, working with the Director and Policy Advisor to improve class sessions and activities based on trainee feedback;

• In partnership with Hub Director and teaching staff, draft and execute training curricula for new Hub training programs;

• Coordinate teachers and trainers for Hub programs, ensuring that Hub trainers are adequately prepared for teaching sessions and providing feedback as necessary; and

• Moderate panels with policy experts as part of training programs; past speakers for our programs have included Tom Kalil, Ann Mei Chang, and Neil Chatterjee.

Policy Advising & Fellow Support (15%)

• Alongside our Policy Advisor and other teaching staff, provide mentorship and feedback on fellow work products, including but not limited to policy memos, presentations, and white papers;

• Lead on policy advocacy efforts for fellow projects, meeting with external stakeholders and policymakers to push fellow impact projects forward; and

• Work with program staff to devise and execute a plan for alumni mentorship, providing continual policy support to fellows after Hub training programs end.

Communications and External Relations (10%)

• Collaborate with our events and program staff to calendar training programs and external events for the year;

• Manage content for program Demo Days;

• (For applicants with strong communications backgrounds) Serve as final reviewer for Hub staff work products; 

• Support on fundraising reporting as necessary; and

• Support the Director in fundraising and external relations/partnerships as necessary.

People Management (10%)

• Manage 1-2 policy advising and operations staff, overseeing their work and providing them with constructive feedback and professional growth opportunities; and

• Oversee work of part-time Hub trainers, providing them with training and feedback as necessary.

Knowledge, Education and Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree;

• 10 years of professional work experience;

• 3+ years of professional experience or the equivalent working in policy or related field;

• 3+ years of experience in project or program management; 

• Experience managing direct reports or contractors;

• Strong, demonstrable writing and editing skills;

• Passion for helping grow and mentor the next generation of policy leaders;

• Superior attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects; and

• Experience with teaching or public speaking.

Preferred:

• 15+ years of professional work experience;

• 5+ years of professional experience or the equivalent working in policy or related field;

• 2+ years working in science, technology, or innovation policy;

• Experience teaching public policy skills;

• Experience with philanthropic fundraising; and

• Experience with mentorship.

For various reasons, amazing talent hesitate to apply for positions for which they could potentially be a great fit. We strongly encourage you to apply for this position if it aligns with your career interests and skillset, even if you are not sure whether you meet all of the qualifications.

To Apply:

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered. We also ask that applicants refrain from using ChatGPT or other generative writing tools when writing the cover letter. Our first review date for applications will be March 18th. Applicants who apply by that date will be given priority review.

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.