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.

THE CENTER FOR RISING GENERATIONS

The Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations (CRG) is dedicated to ensuring that civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development become a predictable part of the journey to adulthood in our society and around the world. Inspired by the Aspen Institute’s strategic plan and supported by a generous endowment from the Bezos Family Foundation, the Center for Rising Generations:

• Works to expand opportunities for, and elevate the voices of, youth and young adults at the Aspen Institute.
• Creates opportunities to convene and build community beyond the Aspen Institute.
• Encourages innovation that helps emphasize the assets that young people bring to help address today’s challenges.

CRG supports placing early career professionals in high-responsibility positions throughout the Aspen Institute to create opportunities for career growth and to ensure youth voice is reflected across the Institute.

PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIETY

The Philosophy & Society Initiative is dedicated to reigniting a national tradition of public philosophy. Through publications, events, and original research we seek to stimulate the appetite for reflection about our largest and most haunting issues of societal purpose—What is justice? What is a good life? What is society for?

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Philosophy and Society CRG Associate will have primary responsibility for furthering the program’s effort to expand civil discourse and humanistic thinking through production of video and written essays. This work will help expand the Philosophy and Society program’s robust network of young thinkers.

The salary for this opportunity is $65,000. This term-limited position is set to begin April 20^th, 2026, and will end April 23, 2027. The expectation is for this position to work out of the Washington D.C. office at least three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Building on the Aspen Institute’s key principles of fostering dialogue; civility; and encouraging diversity of thought, the Philosophy and Society program seeks to create morally serious arguments at the cutting edge of public debate through in-person gatherings to digital experiences that explore topics key to humanistic thinking in today’s world. Philosophy and Society’s CRG associate will support content production for one of the program’s signature digital experiences.

The Associate will play a central role in supporting the production of a limited series of 8 videos and 5 essays related to the rollout of a new core Philosophy & Society media project dedicated to humanism. It will be a highly produced interview series and argument platform launched in coordination with our current media outlet, Wisdom of Crowds.

To support video production the associate will focus on:

• Managing video production for each episode
• Working across pre-production, recording, editing, and release
• Coordinating with internal and external A/V teams
• Tracking production timelines
• Managing video assets
• Supporting the creation of short form clips for distribution across social platforms.

The Associate will also have the opportunity to gain experience engaging with written editorial, including essays, research papers, and more. The Associate may have opportunities to participate in other projects and will be expected to contribute to program priorities.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• Experience working collaboratively to co-create solutions to complex problems.
• A demonstrated ability to work with others who have different experiences, backgrounds, and opinions.
• An eagerness to learn new skills and apply those skills to on-going projects.
• The ability to work within a large organization and to navigate differences in priorities and strategies.
• A proven ability to communicate effectively, accurately, and in a timely manner even when sharing disappointing news.
• A willingness to adapt to changing priorities and approaches.
• A spirit of possibility, fun, and optimism.
• Demonstrated experience creating, editing, and formatting video.
• Writing and editing for clarity while reflecting a voice aligned to a broader organization.
• Ability to work with video podcasts.
• Ability to use social media to build campaigns and expand networks around positive, humanistic ideals is preferred.
• Ability to take and apply feedback on written and video products.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Through this one-year experience the CRG Associate will:

• Develop their leadership skills and learn how to operate effectively in a large organization
• Expand on their ability to develop a work plan; collaborate with others to effectuate the plan; review progress; make adjustments based on outcomes; and complete a project
• Gain experience in creating video and written resources that serve to build a community.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter. Applications for this opportunity will close March 10, 2026.

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.