Program Manager (Field Engagement)

ABOUT US

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.

College Excellence Program (CEP)

The Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program (CEP) aims to identify and replicate practices and policies that significantly improve college student outcomes. Through our portfolio of projects, CEP works to improve colleges’ capacity to achieve high levels of success for all students and to eliminate disparities in postsecondary attainment and social mobility for students from low-income backgrounds and historically marginalized and underserved groups. Our work focuses on improving higher education institutions in six areas: ensuring high-quality learning, increasing completion rates, improving community college transfer and baccalaureate attainment, increasing post-college employment and earnings outcomes, ensuring strong access to college credentials of value, and achieving equity in outcomes across all domains. We advance those outcomes by quantitatively identifying and publicly elevating those colleges achieving excellent and equitable outcomes, conducting research on how those outcomes were accomplished, publishing reports and practical tools to support college leaders and practitioners interested in replicating effective practices, and conducting professional development programs for presidents, senior teams, boards of trustees, and others. Learn more about our work at https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

In this role you will oversee the day-to-day project management of work streams within major CEP projects. Your first assignments will include day-to-day operations of CEP’s board leadership cohorts and the Unlocking Opportunity network. You will be responsible for collaborating with team members to draft and execute project plans for in-person/virtual events and cohort selection processes; working closely with hotels and vendors to plan and deliver in-person events; managing communications for internal and external audiences to advance project goals; and supporting tracking and evaluation of project workstreams. You will work with your supervisor and other colleagues to ensure that high-quality materials come together in a timely manner by collaborating closely with research and curriculum experts and other team members as needed.

This role is based in our Washington, DC office with a minimum of 40% in-person work (approximately 2 days per week) and requires travel up to 4 weeks per year. You will report to the Senior Program Manager within CEP's Field Engagement division. The salary band for this position is $85,000-$95,000.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Manage multiple work streams within major CEP projects, including the design, execution, and improvement of project plans.

• Communicate with executive-level offices, senior leaders, and practitioners in higher education, including through email correspondence, virtual meetings, and phone calls.

• Collaborate with team members to develop internal and external processes to support selection of cohorts of colleges.

• Ensure internal collaboration with the curriculum and research teams to coordinate high-quality content for events, engagements, and external communications.

• Liaise with key partners and vendors to advance projects, including developing scopes of work for major contracts and subawards.

• Arrange and manage logistics and operations (e.g., participant registration, tracking, vendor management, hotel contracts) of major in-person and virtual events for college leaders and practitioners.

• Work with team members and external collaborators to develop internal and external-facing case-making assets, slide decks, memos, and other materials to advance project goals.

• Track and manage budgets for discrete projects or events.

• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or formal project management certification (e.g., CAPM, PMP) preferred.

• 5+ years of relevant experience required, including project management, planning and execution of in-person events, partner/vendor relationship management, and process implementation.

• Knowledge of the higher education sector is a plus (particularly knowledge of community colleges and/or college boards of trustees).

• Strong writing, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Self-directed learners who possess a growth and collaborative mindset will thrive in this role.

HOW TO APPLY

Application review begins October 18th. Interested applicants must submit the below for full consideration:

1. A one-page cover letter. CEP prefers cover letters that describe what motivates you and how you understand and relate to our mission rather than a narrative version of your resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

2. Resume/CV.

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.

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