ABOUT US

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.

The Aspen Global Leadership Network

The AGLN is a growing, worldwide community of values-based leaders — currently more than 3,800 Fellows from over 65 countries — who share a commitment to enlightened leadership and to using their extraordinary creativity, energy and resources to tackle the foremost societal challenges of our times. All share the common experience of participating in one of the Aspen Institute’s various leadership Fellowships.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Director, Global Convenings will play an instrumental role in creating and operationalizing a refreshed gathering strategy for engaging, impact-oriented events across the AGLN Fellow network. The Director will oversee all aspects of AGLN Fellow gatherings including the Resnick Aspen Action Forum (RAAF), a signature summer event of the Aspen Institute that convenes 350+ Fellows from around the globe. This critical leadership role will shape the Forum's strategy, curate engaging programming, and ensure flawless execution. Additionally, this role will oversee strategic planning, budget management, and program development for all of AGLN’s gatherings year-round. The Director will also work to develop new partnerships and convening opportunities in collaboration with other programs around the Aspen Institute including International Partners, IDEAS festival, and Socrates, to name a few.

This position reports directly to the Managing Director, Global Operations & Programs. The salary range for this position is $141,000 to $146,000. This role will be based in Washington, DC unless otherwise approved by HR and the executive team.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Oversee Strategy, Planning, and Operations for the Resnick Aspen Action Forum

• Oversee the strategy and planning of the Resnick Aspen Action Forum (RAAF), a signature summer event of the Aspen Institute. This critical role will shape the Forum's development strategy, curate engaging programming, and ensure flawless execution.
• Lead program development process, curating engaging and innovative seminars, plenaries, workshops, action-oriented sessions, and other experiences.
• Collaborate with Moderators, funders, and colleagues to develop program content, identify and select esteemed speakers, and ensure the program meets diversity, equity, and inclusion goals set by the team.
• Ensure proper onboarding speakers and Moderators, create production rundowns, and managing the relationship with production support and stage manager(s).

• Champion strategic improvements to the annual planning cycle and general operations, optimizing success and strengthening the program financially.
• Set rigorous M&E goals; develop post-event survey and facilitate the ‘after action’ debrief process, identifying areas for improvement and shaping the following year's event.
• Partner with the MD, Operations to develop the event’s operating budgets, ensuring resource allocation aligns with program priorities and long-term sustainability of the Forum.
• Assist with development of a robust fundraising plan to support the operational needs and cumulative fundraising targets of the event, including supporting the creation of programming ideas, themes, sponsorship packages and other assets for funding proposals.
• Collaborate on event brand development and execution of materials such as giveaway items, program book, conference banners, badges with personalized agendas, and handouts.
• Weigh in on email communication to attendees, including marketing emails as well as personalized, non-mass email communication such as welcome letters, logistics briefings, thank you notes, etc.
• Manage AGLN staff, vendors, and partners supporting the event; ensure the vendor and staff selection process incorporates a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.

Develop & Implement A Refreshed Convenings Strategy

• Provide thought leadership to assess, develop, and execute on a revitalized global gatherings strategy across the AGLN, with a focus on delivering results aligned with the AGLN impact strategy; set programmatic goals and monitor impacts of events.
• Develop key partnerships and convening opportunities in collaboration with other Aspen Institute programs including International Partners, Aspen Global Innovators, IDEAS festival, and Socrates, to name a few.
• Provide thought leadership on the program design of AGLN events and offer best-in-class strategies to ensure events are attractive, innovative, revenue-generating, and transformational for attendees.
• Engage key stakeholders - including Fellows, Moderators, donors, and partners - on the development of AGLN events. Hear proposals on AGLN-centric events and ensure alignment on key gathering principles before determining level of commitment and support.
• Lead and execute events ranging from partnership roundtables to Fellowship seminars; provide training for new staff across Fellowship programs to ensure their seminars are fit-for-purpose and executed beautifully and within the standards of excellence expected of the Aspen Institute.
• Conduct a competitive analysis to understand other compelling events attractive to Fellows, seeking collaboration or strategic advancement opportunities. Understand the needs of the Fellow network and adjust the AGLN convenings strategy accordingly to remain relevant and responsive as needed.

Data Management & AGLN Systems

• Work closely with Aspen Institute enterprise systems and IT teams to integrate with new CRM and support the broader rollout of new event tools, resources, and best practices (i.e. registration platforms, event production/management software, participant data management, event surveys, venue trackers, etc).
• Collaborate with and provide feedback on Institute-wide CRM integration working groups with a specific focus on event production software, tools, and platforms.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 10+ years of complex conference and event management experience, including large audiences and multistage programming.
• Experience leading events on a global scale; track record of navigating different time zones, currency conversions, language barriers, and cultural norms when planning events.
• 10+ years of experience managing teams, direct reports, and contractors.
• Demonstrated aptitude with operations work, creative problem-solving skills, and strong attention to detail.
• Exemplary budget and financial forecasting skills in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a service mindset.
• Personable, professional, mature and helpful.
• Self-motivated, with initiative and a strong capacity for independent work as well as collaborative team environments.
• Proficiency in Google Workplace products and Microsoft Office Suite; Familiarity with Salesforce, Asana, Concur and Planful a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.

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. 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.