Program Manager Aspen Strategy Group

aspeninstitute; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspen Institute seeks a Program Manager to advance the Rising Leaders and Albright International Leaders programs, under ASG leadership. You will oversee applications, seminars, publications, and events while supporting multiple ASG pillars in a collaborative, fast-paced setting.

The role requires a proactive, detail-oriented professional with strong writing, research, and coordination skills, capable of balancing independent work with teamwork across the ASG.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in International Relations/Political Science preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills.
• Experience in policy programs and stakeholder coordination preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Rising Leaders Program management, including applications, seminars, editing, and delivery.
• Plan alumni programming and annual events.
• Launch and manage the Albright International Leaders Program from recruitment to execution.
• Provide programmatic, administrative, and logistical support across ASG portfolio.
• Draft external correspondence for meetings and stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Event planning

Policy writing

Stakeholder communication

Research

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in IR/Political Science

Tools

iContact

WordPress

FormAssembly

Canva

Job description

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.

ASPEN STRATEGY GROUP

The Aspen Strategy Group’s (ASG) mission is to convene decision-makers in resolutely nonpartisan public and private forums to address key foreign policy challenges facing the United States. Founded in 1984 by William Perry, Brent Scowcroft, and Joseph S. Nye, Jr., the Aspen Strategy Group is a bipartisan group of members from government, academia, business, and the media. Led by Co-Chairs Nicholas Burns and Condoleezza Rice, Executive Director Anja Manuel, and Director Niamh King, the ASG organizes and hosts meetings across the three pillars of its work: the Aspen Strategy Group, the public Aspen Security Forum, the Rising Leaders Program, and the Albright International Leaders Program.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

This Program Manager position with the ASG will contribute both substantively and administratively on a professional and high level. Under the management of the Director and Deputy Director of the Aspen Strategy Group and Aspen Security Forum, this role operates with a greater degree of independence and ownership of projects. They will oversee and manage both of our main leadership initiatives: the Rising Leaders Program (RLP), which is now in in sixth year, and the Albright International Leaders Program (AILP) which will be launched in 2027. While the focus of the role will be on these leadership programs, the Program Manager will also contribute across the other pillars of our work including the Aspen Strategy Group and Aspen Security Forum.

This position is set in a very collaborative, ambitious, dynamic-team, and fast-paced environment. As the ASG team prepares for each new cohort/class of leaders, meeting, program, and project, the Program Manager is given a high level of responsibility and ownership to manage the responsibilities and portfolio assigned to them. We seek candidates with the ability to work both efficiently as part of a team and independently to ensure the success of the ASG’s various activities.

The salary for this position is $90,000. In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the Program Manager should be willing to be in-person with colleagues a minimum of 60% of the time while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead and manage all projects pertaining to the Rising Leaders Program, including the application cycle, seminar management, policy paper editing and publication process, virtual and in-person programming.
• Plan and execute Rising Leaders Program alumni programming and events throughout the year.
• Develop processes and lead the launch of the Albright International Leaders Program (AILP) from recruitment and promotion efforts, manage the application and selection process, and oversee programming for this new year-long program developed in honor of Secretary Madeleine K. Albright. Establish and maintain organized systems for program documentation, records, procedures, and other operational materials.
• Under the management of the Director and Deputy Director, provide a wide range of programmatic, administrative, and logistical support in preparation for various projects and meetings across the ASG’s entire portfolio, namely the; Rising Leaders Program and Albright International Leaders Program. As well as ASG Summer Workshop, Aspen Security Forum; and track II dialogues.
• Draft external correspondence for communications with meeting participants and outside stakeholders (e.g. invitations, thank you notes, etc.).
• Planning & Prioritization: Translate broad objectives into actionable plans, establish priorities, manage competing deadlines, and ensure critical tasks move forward.
• Assist in writing and proofreading ASG products including meeting materials, grant proposals and reports, and summary documents.
• Conduct background research for programming, meetings, attend sessions, and take thoughtful substantive notes.
• Manage logistics related to the execution of conferences and events (e.g. application materials/tracking processes, RSVP lists, contracts, BEOs, etc.).
• Contribute to and edit the Weekly Leaf newsletter.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO THRIVE

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a relevant field (International Relations, Political Science, etc.) along with a long-term interest in working in the field of U.S. foreign policy and national security is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of professional experience.
• Meticulous attention to detail is essential.
• Excellent communication, writing, editing, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and work as a team player within a small-team environment; ability to multi-task and take initiative in problem-solving; strong work ethic; excellent time-management skills; keen understanding of protocol.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.Must be able to work well under pressure, handle stress, be comfortable with ambiguity, and manage competing demands/priorities.
• Proficiency with, or easy ability to learn, tools such as iContact, WordPress, FormAssembly, Canva, etc.
• A desire to learn, a sense of humor, creativity, flexibility, and resourcefulness.

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 [e-mail] 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.