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 Global Leadership Network, a pivotal initiative of the Aspen Institute, brings together a diverse group of visionary leaders from various fields around the world. This network of 14 global fellowships serves as a platform for cultivating transformative leadership, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and driving positive social impact. Members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network participate in immersive, action-oriented experiences, engage in dialogue on pressing global issues, and contribute to shaping solutions that address the challenges of our time.

Basic Function:

This role will be dynamic and strategic; the Senior Impact Associate will primarily focus on driving the impact of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and its Fellows as well as managing special projects and assignments. The role works in service of the AGLN Fellowship teams to ensure cross-network learning, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strong operations. The Senior Impact Associate will have close working relationships with members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network Team, Fellowships, and programmatic partners, donors and supporters.

The Ideal candidate is passionate about building a global community of practice and systems of influence. They are an excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing, able to distill complex concepts into compelling storylines, decks, and narratives. Ideally you are comfortable developing PowerPoint slides and decks for various audiences ranging from board members to senior management teams and technical teams. They will also lead with humility, possess a deep sense of mission, and have an insatiable curiosity about the world.

This role reports directly to the Managing Director. The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000. The expectation is for this role to be in our D.C. office a minimum of 2x a week to collaborate with colleagues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operationalizing Strategic Priorities & Increasing Impact

• Support the design and lead the implementation/project management of AGLN special impact initiatives, including donor projects, stewardship of innovation funds, running new pilots, coordinating sub-award payments to Fellows with impressive impact ventures, etc.
• Work with the Managing Director, Impact & Incubation and external consultants to conduct a thorough analysis of Fellows’ impact through Fellowship ventures, collaborative action, and action pledges.
• Conduct research on the most pressing issues and trends as well as competitive landscape analysis for existing and new fellowships.
• Support the evolution of ventures into life-long impact journeys.
• Onboarding Fellowship teams to the leadership venture/impact journey process.
• Collaborate with the AGLN Communications team to prepare case studies, stories, decks, and briefs to tell the story of Fellows impact.
• Support with the design and implementation of new impact modalities such as renewal seminars, conversations, and place-based gatherings, in support of maximizing the lifelong leadership and impact journey of our fellows.
• Support and staff AGLN events and seminars on an ad hoc basis - may require domestic and international travel between 1-4 times a year

Evaluation, Learning & Knowledge Sharing

• Support the design and roll out of a robust impact, learning and evaluation system for the AGLN and Fellowship teams, aimed towards a clear theory of change.
• Design and onboard Fellowship teams to current evaluation processes and tools to help monitor their progress.
• Work with the AGLN Team to design, develop, and execute year-round learning opportunities to share best practices with other colleagues (e.g., impact journey, venture evolution, Selection of Fellows, Salesforce, etc.).
• Support the execution and planning for Fellowship Program Directors’ monthly meetings.
• Actively broker and manage key relationships with internal teams and partners that could amplify the impact of the AGLN community; responsibilities may include scheduling calls, developing project management plans, and ensuring close coordination between stakeholders on strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain robust knowledge-sharing platforms and training tools to ensure strong operations across AGLN Fellowship programs.

Systems & Data Management

• Prepare analyses and reports related to impact, strategy, ventures, and application forms, etc.
• Lead the process for semi-annual data audits and updates for both internal and external Fellowship Programs (Fellow contact updates, new classes, venture updates, partnership engagements, etc.).
• Design surveys, questionnaires, application forms, and progress/evaluation surveys in Salesforce and other platforms.

Knowledge, Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3 - 5 years' combined experience in fellowship/program impact, project management, and/or operations, preferably in the nonprofit and/or private sectors, with a proven track record of effective management, significant accomplishments, and growth.
• With a strong project management track record, you thrive on bringing ideas to life; you are detail-oriented and have a proven track record of moving ideas to execution with ease and joy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a polished and professional demeanor, outstanding people skills, and self-awareness.
• An impact-oriented leader with a strategic mindset and experience.
• Demonstrated history of relationship building and brokering, with the ability to build rapport and trust with other individuals and departments.
• Excellent cultural competence and experience working directly with partners from diverse backgrounds, including a willingness to travel globally.
• Ability to resolve time-sensitive and highly confidential matters with discretion and diplomacy.
• A desire to learn, sense of humor, flexibility, and resourcefulness.

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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