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

Program Description:

The mission of the Sports & Society Program is to convene leaders, facilitate dialogue and inspire solutions that help sports serve the public interest. The program provides a venue for thought leadership where knowledge can be deepened and breakthrough strategies explored on a range of issues.

An initiative of the Sports & Society Program, Project Play provides stakeholders with opportunities to build healthy communities through sports, starting with access to a quality sport activity for all children. We develop, apply and share knowledge that can be used to mobilize stakeholders from the national to local levels. Our work has been used by many organizations, from professional leagues to media companies, grassroots providers to community foundations, to introduce programs or shape youth strategies related to sports.

Basic Function:

Program Associate primary responsibilities are to support work in communities through research, convening stakeholders and program management. In addition, the position will be assigned other duties to support all projects of the program, as needed.

In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the ?Program Associate should be willing to be in-person in the D.C. office with colleagues a minimum of 40% of the time while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance. In-person consists of meaningful connections with colleagues in an office, traveling to a different office or location to meet fellow staff members, at an Aspen event, at a meeting outside the office or other opportunities to meet in person with teammates and colleagues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support community project portfolio, to include, but not limited to draft correspondence, knowledge and database management, liaise and follow-up with partners inclusive of school sites for survey distribution
• Conduct background research on current and possible future communities Project Play works with
• Gather/analyze data via interviews and focus groups
• Draft sections of our local State of Play report
• Create communications outreach toolkit for community projects
• Support session related to community projects at the Project Play Summit
• Reports to Deputy Director while working closely with her and other staff on other projects
• Routinely interacts with program and Project Play stakeholders and handles outside requests for information

Knowledge, Education, and Experience:

• Excellent written and verbal communications ability
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task on numerous projects, large and small, in both collaborative and independent situations
• Ability to work autonomously and with a small team
• Superb communications skills over email and phone are essential
• Excellent computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office Suite and web-based platforms for data and document management
• Good interpersonal skills, including a desire to learn and a sense of humor
• A college degree is desirable
• Knowledge of Project Play and interest in issues related youth and school sports

Not required but welcome

• Experience working with youth and educators
• Experience with Photoshop, Canva and other design programs
• Background and/or training in journalism
• Background and/or training in research techniques

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.