Project Lead — Philosophy Research & Development Lab

The Aspen Institute; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

A global nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC is looking for a Project Lead for its Philosophy R&D lab. This role involves managing a team of research fellows, tracking deliverables, and setting an intellectual agenda for publications. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong editorial skills, operational capacity, and the ability to lead and adapt to evolving needs. The salary range is competitive, between $85,000 - $97,000, offering opportunities for impactful work in public philosophy.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage teams and lead projects effectively.
• Strong editorial skills and capacity for intellectual debate.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving program needs.

Responsibilities

• Manage R&D lab and associated outputs.
• Track grant deliverables and ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Develop vision for program’s publications agenda.

Skills

Intellectual judgment

Editorial excellence

Operational capacity

Leadership

Job description

Project Lead — Philosophy Research & Development Lab

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.

PHILOSOPY AND SOCIETY INITIATIVE

The Philosophy & Society Initiative is dedicated to reigniting a national tradition of public philosophy. Through publications, events, and original research we seek to stimulate the appetite for reflection about our largest and most haunting issues of societal purpose—What is justice? What is a good life? What is society for?

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Aspen Institute’s Philosophy & Society Program seeks a Project Lead to lead our Philosophy R&D lab and related activities. The R&D lab is the primary incubating mechanism for Philosophy & Society’s activities. The person in this role is responsible for assisting the Director in leading our core intellectual activities and ensuring their implementation, including managing a team of research fellows and other junior staff. This position is about curating ideas and sharpening them for public debate. The successful candidate will combine intellectual judgment, editorial excellence, strong operational capacity, and the flexibility to support the program’s evolving needs.

The salary range for this role is $85,000 - $97,000. The Project Lead will report to the Director of the Philosophy & Society Program. Candidates must also have the ability to meet the regular attendance policy of the Aspen Institute and be based in Washington D.C.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• R&D Lab Management: Take delegated responsibility for R&D Lab and all associated Philosophy & Society outputs, including research and editorial publications, by leading a team of research fellows and other junior staff to implement P&S priorities.
• Operational Stewardship: Track grant deliverables, monitoring progress toward milestones, prepare reporting materials, and work closely with the Director on outcome measurement. Manage budgets associated with publications and related projects, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with institutional requirements.
• Intellectual Agenda-Setting: In coordination with the Director, develop vision to shape the program’s publications agenda, identifying themes, authors, and outputs that advance the public role