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

The Center for Rising Generations manages five programs: the Aspen Challenge, the Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship, the Center for Native American Youth, the Stevens Initiative, and the Education and Society program. CRG works closely with and coordinates work across these CRG programs.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Center for Rising Generations (CRG) will have primary responsibility for building a strong human capital structure across CRG programs; establishing systems and structures for program evaluation and improvement; and coordinating and planning major CRG events. Our ideal candidate will be able to work flexibly and collaboratively while demonstrating CRG’s values and working in a fast-paced environment. The Center for Rising Generations operates with a spirit of collaboration and co-creation. Most responsibilities for this position will be done with deep support from other CRG and CRG program staff.

This position reports to the Vice President of the Center for Rising Generations. The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $175,000. The expectation is for this role to be in our Washington D.C. office a minimum of 3 days a week to collaborate with colleagues


WHAT YOU WILL DO

Human Capital Development

• Create and manage professional development opportunities for CRG staff members that focus on building alignment and shared experience for the team.
• Work with Aspen HR to establish performance evaluations and metrics for all CRG and CRG program team members.
• Schedule and manage CRG team meetings.
• Develop and reinforce a positive, collaborative, and productive CRG-wide culture.
• Schedule and plan CRG team retreats.

Planning and Coordination

• Develop and implement CRG program performance management systems.
• Work with CRG to oversee the CRG Youth Advisory Committee.
• Coordinate with other managers to support the CRG Associates program.
• Manage significant CRG events (summits, symposia, etc.).
• Coordinate with CRG programs to help manage their events.
• Support CRG Youth Ideas Festival planning and execution.

Research and Program Evaluation

• Oversee CRG’s approach to youth-related research.
• Establish a plan for deepening CRG team members’ knowledge of contemporary research.
• Help CRG programs establish measures of success and track metrics.
• Establish systems and structures to monitor program progress, successes, and challenges.
• Create opportunities for cross-CRG conversations about program improvement.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in relevant field.
• Experience in building strong team cultures across large teams encompassing a variety of programs.
• A fluent understanding of effective human capital strategies related to performance management, on-boarding, recruitment, selection, and performance improvement.
• A strong concept of what it means to work in a learning organization and a disposition for creating professional learning opportunities to meet staff needs.
• An innovative and flexible approach to getting the most out of team members.
• A disposition for urgency, impact, and responsiveness.
• Excellent project management skills and an ability to coordinate across large non-hierarchical teams.
• Experience working with advisory boards.
• Experience managing large-scale events.
• Experience managing and working with early career professionals.
• The ability to work in intergenerational environments and to engage with diverse perspectives.
• An ability to thrive in an environment in which informal teams and ad hoc collaborations are the norm rather than rigid hierarchical structures.
• A spirit of possibility, fun, and optimism.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter.


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.