ABOUT US

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

ASCEND

Ascend at the Aspen Institute is a catalyst and convener for diverse leaders working across systems and sectors to advance solutions that improve outcomes for children and families. Through its newly launched Forward With Families, Ascend mobilizes leaders and highlights relevant and ready solutions to accelerate policy, systems, and practice change that strengthens affordability, economic mobility, and security for families throughout the country.

ABOUT THE POSITION

A member of Ascend’s management team, the Communications Director leads all aspects of Ascend’s integrated communications to amplify and increase Ascend’s impact and influence in direct support of its strategic goals. The Director is the chronicler and chief storyteller for Ascend, finding the trends and themes that bring Ascend’s work to life, attracting partners and funding, and positioning Ascend as a leader in improving the world for children and families.

Drawing on the Aspen Institute’s intellectual capital, convening power, and multimedia platforms, the Director will develop and execute an integrated communications plan that ensures Ascend’s brand is compelling, consistent, and trusted among priority audiences, while increasing Ascend’s profile as a thought leader and national hub for family economic mobility and well-being solutions. The Director will report to the Executive Director and will also oversee executive communications, leveraging the voice and leadership of Ascend’s Executive Director to advance organizational priorities.

Our ideal candidate brings forward-thinking instincts and anticipates opportunities and challenges, using communications to accelerate impact and mitigate risk. They have a proven track record of engaging diverse audiences to advance influence in the field. The Director leads with an impact and social justice lens, understanding how communications drive policy, systems, and mindset change. They are mission-driven, curious, solutions-oriented, and able to ask incisive questions that cut to the core of complex challenges. Success requires deep respect for families’ experiences and resilience, and a commitment to supporting children and the adults in their lives together.

The Communications Director will build strong partnerships with the Aspen Institute’s communications team and with senior communications leaders at funding partner organizations. This role is in person and based in Washington, D.C. The salary range for this position is $150,000-$190,000 per year.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that advances Ascend’s mission, strengthens its position as a national leader on child and family well-being, and delivers measurable results.
• Translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives and messaging that package and spread ready and relevant solutions to priority states, sector leaders, and philanthropic partners.
• Lead executive communications, partnering closely with Executive Director Anne Mosle to elevate her thought leadership and position Ascend at the forefront of advancing family prosperity, mobilizing change capital, and supporting world-changing leadership.
• Collaborate with the management team to create communications that engage new philanthropic partners and high-net-worth individuals.

Visibility, Media, and Field Influence

• Lead integrated media, digital, and partnership strategies that amplify Ascend’s influence and the impact of Forward With Families, Ascend Fellows, and key partners.
• Secure high-impact speaking opportunities and cultivate a strong online presence that advances thought leadership and attracts new partners.
• Manage media relations, including pitching, vetting opportunities, and preparing senior leadership with talking points, briefings, and op-eds.
• Oversee the development and distribution of compelling content across owned and earned channels – including website, publications, social media, and newsletters – that cuts through the noise and engages priority audiences.

Network Engagement and Narrative Building

• Elevate and popularize Forward With Families within the Ascend community, across the Aspen Institute, in priority states, and throughout the broader field.
• Develop communications strategies that activate Ascend Fellows, Parent Advisors, network partners, and funders as compelling ambassadors and storytellers.
• Provide select communications support and guidance to Fellows and partners to help amplify their breakthrough ideas.

Team Leadership and Organizational Impact

• Lead and develop a high-performing communications team and external partners, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and results-driven, data-informed communications.
• Oversee evaluation and learning staff and functions that track and communicate progress and impact.
• Build internal capacity by equipping staff with the tools and guidance to serve as effective ambassadors, and contribute to a collaborative, learning-oriented culture across the organization.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Minimum of 10 years leading comprehensive communications strategies, ideally in a nonprofit or social enterprise; startup experience and scaling organizational visibility a plus.
• Strong track record building and leading high-performing teams in lean, fast-paced environments; able to balance big-picture strategy with high-quality execution.
• Experience serving on a management team and contributing to a collaborative, results-oriented, entrepreneurial culture.
• Skilled at building and sustaining partnerships and media relationships, shaping opportunities, and producing content that drives engagement and impact.
• Exceptional storyteller and influencer with a clear, adaptable voice across audiences; adept at visual and multimedia storytelling across platforms.
• Ability to engage and influence diverse leaders and communities, including communities of color, and navigate complex or polarized environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally.

HOW TO APPLY

Kindly follow the instructions for uploading your application, which must include: cover letter, resume, and work sample. Your cover letter should go beyond summarizing your experience. We invite candidates to reflect on Ascend’s work and briefly identify what you see as Ascend’s greatest communications opportunities or challenges ahead. We are especially interested in candidates who bring strategic insight to this role. In your cover letter, please include specific examples from your experience that demonstrate:

• How you have built and sustained a strong communications culture within an organization or network;
• How you have embedded an impact mindset in communications, aligning communications strategies with organizational goals and measurable outcomes; and
• Your approach to executive communications, including how you help leaders clarify strategy, strengthen thought leadership, and use their voice to advance strategy.

Your work sample can be a relevant article, case study, interview, video, or other piece of work that best illustrates your strategic thinking and communications approach.

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 disability status and will not be discriminated against. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-5800.