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.

FINANCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM

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.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Senior Manager is a core member of the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program’s Benefits Transformation Initiative. This initiative is founded on the vision that everyone in America should be able to comfortably afford everyday life. To achieve this, the initiative convenes cross-sector leaders, develops innovative tools, and elevates actionable insights to close benefit gaps, enhance state capacity, and build integrated, responsive, and modernized systems of public and workplace benefits. This role moves beyond traditional policy analysis to focus directly on the implementation of these goals, representing a strategic commitment to supporting leaders in building the on-the-ground administrative and technological capacity required for true systems change.

Reporting to the Director of the Benefits Transformation Initiative, the Senior Manager will drive the adoption of benefits transformation solutions at the state level. The manager’s central function is to act as a project leader, trusted partner, and strategic connector for state leaders. This is accomplished by actively managing multi-state implementation projects, convening targeted working groups of state executives and ecosystem leaders, and identifying and brokering connections between states and best-in-class technical providers.

Our ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial and results-oriented professional with a proven track record of managing complex projects and cultivating strong relationships with senior-level stakeholders, particularly within government. They will be a natural facilitator and a strategic thinker, capable of navigating the complexities of public sector systems change. This individual will thrive in a dynamic environment that demands a balance of structured project execution, diplomatic partnership building, ability to act quickly to respond to opportunistic moments, and a deep, mission-driven commitment to improving how benefits are delivered to American families. While not a minimum or mandatory qualification, we strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented demographics, and those with first-hand experience of financial insecurity to apply for this role.

The role is based at Aspen’s Washington D.C. headquarters, with an in-office expectation of a minimum of 2x a week to collaborate with colleagues. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $115,000 per year.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

State Project Management and Implementation Support

• Lead and manage complex, multi-state projects designed to accelerate the adoption of modernized benefits delivery practices, from initial scoping and planning through execution and evaluation.
• Coordinate cross-state initiatives focused on specific, high-impact solutions, such as the development of a multistate common application, the modernization of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems, or the multistate adoption of new income verification tools.
• Provide direct support to state partners by managing and deploying resources, including potentially regranted funding for pilot projects and identifying targeted technical assistance (TA) to overcome implementation hurdles.
• Develop and maintain robust project management systems, including detailed timelines, work plans, and communication protocols, to ensure clarity, accountability, and successful outcomes across multiple concurrent state engagements.

Convening, Facilitation, and Network Building and Strengthening

• Lead the design, organization, and facilitation of high impact convenings and working groups that bring together state public benefits executives and ecosystem leaders to share best practices, workshop innovative delivery models, and co-design solutions to shared challenges.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of diverse state solutions partners, building deep trust and credibility with state leaders to foster a collaborative and solution-oriented network of leaders.
• Actively support members of the State Benefits Leadership Cohort, a peer network of senior, bipartisan state public benefits executives, in identifying and implementing solutions identified by cohort activities.

Ecosystem Partnership and Resource Connection

• Serve as a key connector within the benefits ecosystem, proactively identifying, vetting, and connecting state agencies with best-in-class technical providers, civic technology organizations, and other implementation partners.
• Develop and nurture a diverse network of relationships with key stakeholders beyond state government, including technology vendors, philanthropic partners, and research institutions, to build a robust support system for state transformation efforts.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, tools, and innovations in benefits administration, human-centered design, and civic technology to serve as a go-to resource for state partners seeking cutting-edge solutions.

Initiative Strategy and Collaboration

• In close consultation with the Director of the Benefits Transformation Initiative, contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of the initiative’s strategy for engaging and supporting states.
• Work in close partnership with peers on FSP’s Insights and Evidence and Communications teams to translate learnings from state engagements into published research, case studies, and other products that can inform the broader field.
• Represent the Benefits Transformation Initiative and the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program at relevant conferences, panel discussions, and other public events, sharing insights from our work with states and building the initiative's profile.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• 5+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in a relevant field such as public administration, program management, management consulting, or public sector technology.
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience is required. A graduate degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is a plus.
• A deep commitment to the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program’s mission of financial security for all and a passion for modernizing public benefits systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects from conception to completion, utilizing formal project management tools and methodologies is required.
• Preference for experience working directly within or in close partnership with state government agencies, particularly those responsible for administering public benefits (e.g., SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, WIC).
• Demonstrated understanding of the operational, technological, and political challenges involved in public benefits delivery and systems change at the state level.
• Exceptional facilitation and communication skills, with a proven ability to develop agendas, lead productive discussions, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and present complex information clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing.
• Superior relationship management skills, with the ability to quickly build trust and credibility with senior leaders in government, technology, and philanthropy.
• Familiarity with the civic technology landscape and human-centered design principles is a significant plus.
• Ability to commit to up to 20% domestic travel.

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.