Senior Associate, Cybersecurity Programs

The Aspen Institute; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Job summary

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., dedicated to igniting human potential through dialogue, leadership, and action. The Senior Associate, Cybersecurity Programs, supports cross-functional work across U.S.

and global cybersecurity policy initiatives and high-level convenings. The role emphasizes coordinating meetings, preparing briefing materials, and leading events like the Aspen Cyber Summit, with in-person attendance required about two days

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of relevant experience in program coordination, executive support, or operations in a non-profit/policy context focused on cybersecurity or technology policy.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent planning, organizing, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support Directors in agenda creation, theme curation, and speaker recruitment for high-level meetings and roundtables.
• Research, assemble, and distribute background materials for internal and external meetings.
• Plan, administer, and coordinate virtual and in-person events, including liaising with external stakeholders and sponsorship agreements.
• Create forms and program materials using digital tools.
• Take notes in stakeholder meetings and disseminate follow-up materials.
• Lead speaker management for the Aspen Cyber Summit and coordinate external stakeholders.
• Coordinate external stakeholders participating in U.S. and Global Cybersecurity Groups.
• Triage internal and external requests and ensure timely follow-up.
• Collaborate with teams to manage timelines and improve processes.

Skills

Program coordination

Executive support

Operations

Cybersecurity policy interest

Tools

Slack

Zoom

Microsoft Outlook

Google Suite

Jotform

AI tools

Job description

Senior Associate, Cybersecurity Programs

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, D.C., and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

Aspen Digital is a nonpartisan technology and information-focused program that brings together thinkers and doers to uncover new ideas and spark policies, processes, and procedures that empower communities and strengthen democracy. It is future-focused and inspires collaboration among diverse voices from industry, government, and civil society to ensure our interconnected world is accessible, safe, and inclusive–both online and off. Across its initiatives, Aspen Digital develops methods for elevating promising solutions and turning thought into networked impact. To learn more, visit aspendigital.org .

CYBERSECURITY PROGRAMS

The Aspen Institute’s Cybersecurity Programs, founded in 2017, stands as the field’s leading convenor of high-level dialogues among the senior-most levels of industry, government, and civil society, helping to drive change on issues like artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure security, state and local government cybersecurity, and cyber-enabled frauds and scams, among other efforts. Its work has helped lead to Fortune 100 hiring reforms, federal legislation, and its events regularly host Cabinet and sub-Cabinet leaders from across the U.S. Government, as well as executives from foreign partners and allies. Specific programs under this umbrella include the U.S. Cybersecurity Group, the Global Cybersecurity Group, the Aspen Cyber Summit, Cyber Civil Defense, and other public and private events throughout the year, ranging in size from intimate, closed-door roundtables to large-scale, public conferences.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Senior Associate is a core member of the Cybersecurity Programs team, providing critical support for Cybersecurity Group and annual Cyber Summit program development, operations, and evolution. This position serves as a critical enabler across a portfolio of multi-stakeholder convenings, high-visibility projects, and core relationships focused on cybersecurity policy, both domestically and globally, helping Directors lead premier cybersecurity fora across the public-private ecosystem.

Key responsibilities include preparing Group and Summit briefing and meeting materials, coordinating meetings, supporting event planning, and maintaining group membership relationships. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, anticipates obstacles, and keeps multiple workstreams on track simultaneously.

The Senior Associate will work closely under two Directors of Cyber Security Programs. The salary range for this position is $70,000–$85,000. This is a Washington, D.C. based position, and employees are expected to work in person at the office approximately two days a week.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Support Directors in agenda creation, theme curation, and speaker recruitment for high-level meetings and roundtables.

Research, assemble, and distribute background materials for internal and external meetings.

Support the planning, administration, and logistics of virtual and in-person events, including liaising with diverse external stakeholders by creating forms and tracking attendance and sponsorship agreements.

Use digital tools to create forms, surveys, and program materials.

Take notes in stakeholder meetings and disseminate follow-up materials.

Identify opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of the program and implement improvements, as directed.

Track U.S. and Global Cybersecurity Group and Cyber Summit program updates across the Cybersecurity Programs portfolio; support the compilation and tracking of upcoming events, milestones, and other impact metrics.

Assist with editing and brainstorming ideas on cyber policy thought leadership.

Lead speaker management for the Aspen Cyber Summit, serving as the daily point of contact and coordination lead for external stakeholders.

Support external coordination for stakeholders participating in the U.S. and Global Cybersecurity Groups.

Triage internal and external requests, routing inquiries and ensuring timely, organized follow-up.

Collaborate with internal team members and external partners to manage timelines, meet project goals, and improve operational processes.

Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive materials and conversations.

Support ad hoc projects, as needed.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

At least 3-5 years of relevant professional experience in program coordination, executive support, or operations, preferably in a non-profit, policy, or mission-driven environment focused on cybersecurity or technology policy issues.

Exceptional attention to detail with consistent habits of double-checking work for accuracy; demonstrated strength in planning, organizing, and following through on commitments.

Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and stay on top of complex workflow details.

Strong time management skills; excel at prioritizing competing demands and working independently.

Quick to adapt to evolving priorities, modify plans on the fly, and get up to speed on new subject matter.

Proactive, solutions-oriented, and collaborative.

Willingness and ability to travel occasionally, including for in-person program convenings.

Comfort with key platforms, including Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Outlook, and Google Suite. Experience with Jotform and AI tools is a plus.

Interest in cybersecurity and technology policy issues.

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.