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.

ASPEN WORDS

Aspen Words was founded in 1976 as a literary center based in Aspen, CO. A program of the Aspen Institute, its mission is to encourage writers, inspire readers, and connect people through the power of stories. AW’s year-round programs include the Aspen Literary Festival; the Summer Words writers conference; the Winter Words author speaker series, a writers-in-the-school program and and the Aspen Words Literary Prize, a $35,000 annual award for fiction with social impact. For more information, visit http://www.aspenwords.org/.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Senior Program Associate is an integral member of the Aspen Words team whose areas of responsibility include overseeing the student experience and communications for the Summer Words writers conference; managing the writers-in-the-schools program; handling talent communications and hospitality for the Aspen Literary Festival, Winter Words and other programs as required; and assisting with donor relations and development. Additionally, the Senior Associate will help with the Community Read program, manage the Editing Room and attend Aspen Writers Network meetings and other events as needed. The Senior Associate should be able to balance a wide array of responsibilities across programs while contributing to the smooth execution of events and development processes for AW.

The Senior Program Associate reports directly to the Senior Program Manager. The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $75,000. Most of the Aspen Words team works from our Aspen, CO, office; however, this position is open to both Roaring Fork Valley-based and remote candidates. If the Associate is remote, they would be required to travel to Aspen several times a year to work events such as the Aspen Literary Festival and Summer Words.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Manage student experience and communications for the Summer Words writers conference, including workshop acceptances and rejections, workshop logistical details, coordination of professional consultations and development of student activities and schedule.
• Oversee nomination process for Emerging Writer Fellows and manage communication and conference experience for accepted fellows.
• Recruit and manage consultant readers for Emerging Writer Fellowships and juried workshop applications.
• Manage communications and hospitality for visiting authors for the Aspen Literary Festival, Winter Words, Aspen Writers Network, the Community Read and other programs, as needed.
• Help with all aspects of the Community Read program, including book distribution and engagement with a wide variety of constituents in the Roaring Fork Valley.
• Manage relationships and workflow with consultant editors and clients for the Editing Room. Handle client payments.
• Hire and coordinate teaching artists and guest authors for writers-in-the-schools programs, including vetting talent, ensuring fit and compliance with host schools, and managing travel and lodging.
• Identify and coordinate with host schools for the writers-in-the-schools program, including meeting with teachers and administrators, conducting post-program surveys and scheduling workshops and author talks.

Development Responsibilities

• Support all aspects of fundraising and development operations, including individual giving, grants, donor events, and campaigns.
• Assist with donor cultivation, stewardship, and acknowledgment, including meeting and communicating with donors and prospects regularly.
• Maintain accurate donor records in the CRM/database and utilize a variety of platforms to track and manage data and reporting.
• Draft and edit donor-facing materials such as grant applications, appeal letters, emails, proposals, and impact reports.
• Research prospective donors, foundations, and funding opportunities aligned with AW’s mission.
• Track fundraising metrics.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Collect signed contracts and media release forms for AW events and programs as needed.
• Review contracts and coordinate with Legal and other Aspen Institute departments as needed.
• Copy edit and proofread correspondence and marketing-event materials as needed.
• Contribute to the smooth execution of events and development processes for AW as needed.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• A bachelor’s degree and minimum 3 - 5 years of relevant experience is required; Special consideration will be given to candidates with experience in the literary/publishing world.
• A love of literature and passion for the missions of Aspen Words and the Aspen Institute.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and problem-solve in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
• A positive and collaborative disposition.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working with volunteers, donors, high-level talent.
• Event management experience and the ability to juggle many competing priorities.
• Excellent administrative skills with effective management of time in a deadline-intensive environment.
• Excellent writing and editing skills for effective marketing and communications.
• Technologically savvy with the ability to quickly master new databases and system software.
• Special consideration will be given to candidates with experience in the literary/publishing world.

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.