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 Institute Financial Security Program’s (FSP) mission is to illuminate and solve the most critical financial challenges facing American households and to make financial security for all a top national priority. We aim for nothing less than a more inclusive economy with reduced wealth inequality and shared prosperity. We believe that transformational change requires innovation, trust, leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking. FSP galvanizes a diverse set of leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to solve the most critical financial challenges. We do this through deep, deliberate private and public dialogues and by elevating evidence-based research and solutions that will strengthen the financial health and security of financially vulnerable Americans.

The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels of the program team. We recognize the importance of not viewing individuals based on a single identity, and we thrive on being equitable in our recruitment process as well as in our efforts to be inclusive of all employees. We encourage all applicants regardless of gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or other social identity. While not a minimum or mandatory qualification, we strongly encourage candidates of color, those who identify as Native American, people of low-income backgrounds, and those with first-hand experience of financial security inequity to apply for this role.

Basic Function:

The Building Inclusive Financial Systems (BIFS) Program Manager will be a member of Aspen FSP’s Programs Team, reporting to the Director of Programs. The BIFS Program Manager will lead and manage a portfolio focused on building inclusive financial systems which includes looking at systemic and “last mile” solutions that will engage technology companies, financial service firms, policymakers, government regulators, and consumer advocates. In close consultation with the BIFS senior strategic advisor, the Program Manager will lead and be accountable for deliverables associated with supporting the launch of a proposed National Financial Inclusion Commission in the U.S. to create a national financial inclusion strategy in the U.S. that moves from focusing on account and information access to measurable goals focused on financial security outcomes for households and firms.

The successful candidate for this role will be able to balance big-picture, strategic thinking with a focus on important details. They will thrive when given an ambitious set of goals and will be able to creatively and successfully design, own, manage, and execute a detailed workplan that achieves the original goal. They can be successful in an entrepreneurial environment and will be able to adjust strategy and tactics as circumstances change. They will actively partner with and seek the input, expertise, and participation of internal colleagues and close external collaborators as the project develops. The candidate will be an excellent communicator and will enjoy the process of building and managing relationships with a range of external partners, including researchers, corporate leaders and executives, policy experts, elected officials and their staff, and more. They will be energized by convening these cross-sector leaders and will successfully design and thoughtfully facilitate rich, productive dialogues that lead to impact. They are a curious learner who is eager to establish and continually evolve their own perspective as the state of the financial services industry and its enabling policy environment evolve.

Please note 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:

Program Design and Execution

• In close consultation with the Initiative’s senior advisor and FSP’s Director of Programs, lead Aspen FSP’s strategy for Building an Inclusive Financial System, coordinating internally and externally to ensure that projects are impactful, aligned with broader FSP strategy and work, and are executed well.
• In consultation and coordination with FSP colleagues, develop and ensure execution of all aspects of the initiative’s work plan.
• Coordinate the work of the Aspen FSP Working Group on Inclusive Finance and other stakeholder engagements dedicated to identifying high priority action areas to deepen the inclusiveness of our financial system.
• In deep partnership with the Policy team, develop and execute a strategy to educate federal policymakers in establishing the right structures that can lead to interagency coordination on the issue of inclusive financial systems
• Work in collaboration and partnership with peer Program Managers to ensure effective collaboration across Initiatives, consistency in our products, and making sure the sum is greater than the parts of the work.

Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communications

• Strategically develop and selectively nurture a network of relationships with policy entrepreneurs and federal policymakers within federal departments, agencies, and Members of the U.S. Congress, as well as select technology companies, financial service firms, and others that influence and participate in the policy-making process who are positioned to lead on issues of inclusive financial systems.
• Partner with Aspen FSP’s communications director to produce communications strategies and workplans that support the overall initiative, which set clear communications goals, and which leverage the in-house and partner channels available to build momentum around the initiative
• Work closely with members of FSP’s Research Team and Communications team to design, execute, and publish research that furthers the field’s understanding of an inclusive financial system.
• Design and execute public and private events to promote the work of a National Financial Inclusion Commission, coordinate cross-sector leaders working on financial inclusion, and galvanize leaders to make new commitments to building inclusive financial systems
• Oversee the work of external consultants and vendors that assist with communications strategies, policy coordination, and publications
• Work effectively with events and meeting team members to execute meetings and events, including: project management, logistics, communications, partnership and branding, resourcing, and timeline.

Financial Management and Fundraising

• In partnership with colleagues, current funders, and new supporters, evolve the fundraising and sponsorship approach for FSP’s Building Inclusive Financial Systems portfolio, assist in writing grant proposals
• Working closely with Director of Programs and finance team, monitor spending against grant budgets and assist in developing proposal budgets

External Thought Leadership

• Serve as a public-facing subject matter expert and ambassador for Aspen FSP’s point of view on an inclusive financial system
• Support senior leaders in Aspen FSP in external engagement and thought leadership work related to the BIFS strategy

Knowledge Education, and Experience:

• Commitment to Aspen FSP’s mission and interest in how to achieve the mission of holistic financial security and equitable wealth-building via inclusive financial systems
• 5-10 years of experience working in the financial services industry, financial health/well-being non-profits, or financial policy space as well as an interest and curiosity in learning about and staying abreast of changes in both the policy and marketplace of banking, payments, savings, credit, and/or insurance.
• Superb project management skills, including attention to detail, excellent organization, ability to set priorities and meet deadlines, and proactive project communication skills.
• Strong relationship building and management skills. Experience building and stewarding networks, working groups, or coalitions is a plus.
• Experience designing impactful meetings, convenings, and public events.
• Strong interest in facilitating dialogue and leading meetings.
• Strong communication skills, including public speaking. Ability to conceptualize and draft a variety of written products for multiple audiences.
• Ability to manage the work of external consultants.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 15% of the time (depending on public health conditions).

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.