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 Sports & Society Program

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.

Project Play

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. More on Project Play here. The Project Play Summit is our signature annual convening of leaders and stakeholders in youth sports.

Basic Function

The Project Play Summit intern will closely work with the Summit Director and other staff members of the Sports & Society Program to support all aspects of planning and executing Project Play Summit 2024 to be held mid-May in Baltimore, Maryland. The intern will also support program communications efforts. The duration of this internship will be from January to May 2024. The pay range is $15- $20 per hour, with expectations of working hours being no more than 20 hours a week.

In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the intern should be willing to be in-person 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 planning efforts for Project Play Summit 2024 including but not limited to:

  • Administrative support

  • Vendor communications

  • Website updates

  • Email blast design and execution

  • Graphic design for web and social media

  • Assist with volunteer recruitment and management

  • Onsite set up and support as needed

  • Speaker communications and tracking

  • Post event communication, evaluation, compile event materials

  • Participate in site visits, event set-up and breakdown

• Work with Editorial Director to support additional communications work as needed

Knowledge, Education, and Experience:

• Current Undergraduate or Graduate student, or recent college graduate, with relevant experience, preferably in the sports industry or with non-profit organization

• Ability to plan, organize and follow through with staff and a variety of constituencies

• Strong oral and written communication skills, with an attention to detail

• Solutions-focused mentality; ability to think strategically and creatively, while also integrating and acting on the vision of others including the Summit Director

• Ability to foster trust with staff members, partners and other stakeholders

• Ability to work with minimal direction and also as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, with a commitment to excellence in all activities

• Strong computer and administrative skills, particularly Microsoft Office Suite, contact databases, Asana

• Good interpersonal skills, including a desire to learn and a curiosity about what’s possible

Not required but welcome:

• Knowledge of the landscape of youth sports, its stakeholder organizations, and the framework of Project Play

• Experience in event planning and execution

• Experience in website and digital tools/content development (SquareSpace, WordPress)

• Experience in Photoshop, Canva or other graphic design programs

Internship goals

• Gain understanding and experience with event planning and execution
• Opportunity to work with partners
• Deeper understanding of youth sports ecosystem

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.