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.

Ascend at the Aspen Institute is the national hub for breakthrough ideas and collaborations to build family economic prosperity and well-being. Ascend embraces a two-generation approach focusing on children and the adults in their lives together and is committed to advancing gender and racial equity. We believe that early childhood care and learning, postsecondary education/employment pathways for parents, economic assets, social capital, and health and well-being are the core elements that enable families to achieve their full potential. As a leading model of social innovation, Ascend has been at the forefront of advancing policies, systems, practice, and community solutions. We have built an ecosystem of diverse leaders and multi-sector organizations through a national fellowship program, an action and learning network, and the Family Prosperity Innovation Community. Ascend engages the perspectives, strengths, and resilience of families with low incomes to inform program design and policy development.

Basic Function:

The selected candidate will join a dynamic, entrepreneurial, high-performing team within the larger environment of the Aspen Institute in its Washington, DC, headquarters. This position is an opportunity to research and document cutting-edge programs, systems changes, policies, and new practices that seek to create a cycle of opportunity for all children and families using a two-generation approach. The ideal candidate is a multi-talented, early-career professional with experience handling a wide range of logistics, operational, and research tasks; is creative and eager to learn on the job; and has extremely high standards for the quality of his/her work. The Program Associate is a new position that will provide high-quality research, administrative, and outreach support to the team, as well as provide logistical support for Ascend convenings (virtual and in-person convenings).

Qualified candidates must demonstrate impeccable attention to detail, superior organizational skills, exceptional verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to flourish in a fast-paced environment. Experience with operational systems such as Salesforce, SharePoint, Microsoft Offices Suites is essential. Critical thinking skills are also essential, as is the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations. Ascend operates with a core set of values agility, boldness, creativity, determination, and excellence. Candidates should possess both commitment and experience that are reflective of Ascend's core values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Research, Communications, and Program Support

• Research and analyze issues of interest to develop two-generation reports, briefs, blogs, or other documents;
• Research and summarize reports and materials from meetings, conferences, and events related to child and family well-being;
• Act as first point of contact for outside inquires. Handle written, telephone, and internet requests for information; draft, edit, and produce correspondence as required, including correspondence that is sometimes confidential;
• Develop dynamic PowerPoint presentations;
• Manage relationships with assigned Ascend stakeholders and/or policy partners;
• Work with Managing Director to support Ascend convenings;
• Take meeting notes and prepare and disseminate follow-up materials; and
• Prioritize conflicting needs; handle matters expeditiously, proactively, and follow-through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.

Centralized Team Responsibilities

• Work with program and systems change/policy staff to support tracking of technical assistance efforts;
• Assist with data collection and synthesis for submission to Ascend evaluator and for inclusion in grant reports;
• Provide logistical support for briefings, forums, roundtables, and other convenings;
• Support program staff in maintaining organized electronic and hard copy filing systems;
• Support program staff in maintaining a contacts database and quality control of data entered by other staff;
• Prepare and submit requests for payment of invoices that have been reviewed by the program staff managing contracts and vendor relationships, and liaise with accounting department to ensure timely payments;
• Participate in various planning and budget processes as necessary; and
• Identify opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of the program and implement improvements as directed.

Knowledge, Education and Experience:

• At least three years of experience in administrative, logistics, and research support, preferably in the nonprofit sector;
• Strong interest in and passion for economic and social justice issues;
• Excellent computer skills required, specifically, expertise with: Salesforce, Microsoft Outlook (including managing multiple, complex calendars), Microsoft Excel (including creation and maintenance of complex spreadsheets); and Microsoft PowerPoint (including development of dynamic PowerPoint presentations);
• Superior attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks;
• Strong customer service orientation: patience, listening, resourcefulness, responsiveness, and attention to detail;
• Ability to work with diverse audiences and proven ability to effectively interface with senior-level executives;
• Experience meeting deadlines while balancing multiple projects, including calendar management, travel arrangements, and event planning coordination;
• Strong, demonstrable writing and editing skills;
• Creative problem-solving skills and professional and polished interpersonal skills; and
• A desire to learn, sense of humor, flexibility, and resourcefulness.

Level of Authority:

• Non-supervisory position
• No budget authority

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.

Candidate must have the ability to work under pressure and handle stress. Candidate must also have the ability to meet the regular attendance policy of the Aspen Institute.

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