ABOUT US

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.

UpSkill America
UpSkill America is an initiative of the Economic Opportunities Program. UpSkill America supports employers and workforce organizations to expand and improve high-quality educational, economic mobility, and career advancement opportunities and outcomes for America’s frontline workers. We advance collaborative solutions that work for employers, employees, and communities, recognizing that shared value for workers, communities, and business bottom-line is the best strategy for long-term success—we believe in “doing well by doing good.”

We seek to create a movement of employers, civic organizations, workforce intermediaries and policymakers working collaboratively to implement education, training and development strategies that result in better jobs and opportunities for workers, more competitive businesses, and stronger communities.

The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity.

We collaborate with national and local leaders across the United States and we actively seek input and ideas from individuals and communities affected by proposed approaches to address economic opportunity challenges. Through our leadership and fellowship programs; applied research and evaluation; data and analysis; and dialogue with diverse stakeholders, we work at both local and national levels to build understanding and galvanize action to address the challenge of economic opportunity in America.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Associate Director of UpSkill America will lead and support a range of activities that include applied research and analysis, project development, project management, and stakeholder engagement, focusing on UpSkill America’s three priorities:

• Expand and improve high-quality work-based learning models, including internal training programs, apprenticeships and education benefits programs, enabling adult learners to gain high-quality learning experiences and valuable credentials while working.
• Promote policies, programs and digital infrastructure that ensures skills, learning and competencies gained through work can be recognized toward further education and employment.
• Work with communities, regions, and states to create improved environments for talent development, supporting policy and programs that enable more frontline workers to benefit from employer-supported education and training.

The role reports to the Senior Director of UpSkill America. The position is remote, and the salary range is $120,000 - $135,000.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Manage a multi-faceted stream of work that includes internal and external partners.
• Develop project and research plans that include and align multiple work streams, encompassing investigative field work, research report development, organization and execution of public events, and other activities.
• Effectively engage team of staff and consultants to advance project activities, track and share project progress, and execute project deliverables.
• Ensure regular communication with key project funders regarding project progress, accomplishments and lessons learned. Contribute to the development of new project ideas and the crafting of proposals.
• Develop knowledge of systems that influence businesses’ attention to education, training and upskilling.
• Plan and conduct research and investigative activities, such as literature reviews, case studies, field surveys or other approaches.
• Coordinate the analysis of project findings, in collaboration with relevant team members and external collaborators, and contribute to the production of various written products, including research reports, blogs, articles, op-eds, which would be useful to communicate findings of the work.
• Engage in ongoing exploration of strategies to improve education and training for worker advancement that have been attempted by employers and a range of local implementing organizations.
• Maintain, nurture, and establish relationships with a variety of external partners and stakeholders including businesses, business associations, workforce development organizations, labor organizers and worker advocacy organizations, and others.
• Represent the work of the program at key conferences, meetings, and events.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional in employer-supported education programs, economic development, higher education, workforce development, or related area. The candidate must be comfortable in being both a leader and a learner and be comfortable working against both hard deadlines and deliverables as well as self-paced and exploratory efforts. They should bring an open mind and curious spirit to advancing innovative approaches for improving job quality and advancing racial and gender equity to expand economic opportunity.

• Seven years of experience in corporate education and training, organizational consulting, workforce program design, economic development, and/or related work. The ideal candidate will have direct experience within a corporate environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to build and sustain a productive working relationship with business organizations and firms.
• The ideal candidate will have experience working with philanthropic investors, business leaders, and education providers.
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a close-knit team.
• We recognize that there are multiple ways in which people develop competencies and build experience. Therefore, we do not require a specific education level for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered. The cover letter should highlight applicant’s interest and specific qualifications for this position. Finalists for the role will be asked to share a writing sample.

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.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-5800.