Assistant Director

ABOUT US

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, DC, and has a campus in Aspen, CO, as well as an international network of partners.

COLLEGE EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. We support this mission through multiple programs, including the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the American Talent Initiative, the Aspen Presidents and Rising Presidents Fellowships, Unlocking Opportunity, and a range of transfer initiatives designed to improve bachelor’s attainment for students who start in community college. Each year, our work engages hundreds of college leaders (and often teams) at universities and community colleges that educate millions of students nationwide. For more information, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org or find us on LinkedIn.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Community colleges are one of America's greatest engines of opportunity. They enroll nearly six million undergraduates—roughly 40 percent of all college students—and serve the majority of the nation’s low-income students. They act as a primary backbone for workforce preparation and provide the most affordable, accessible on-ramp to bachelor’s degrees that lead to sustained economic mobility. Their impact is especially pronounced in regions where they operate as anchor institutions for local economies.

For 15 years, Aspen has worked to ensure that community colleges fulfill their promise by delivering the education students need to succeed in the next stage of their lives—earning credentials that lead directly to jobs with family-sustaining wages or provide a strong path to transfer and a bachelor's degree. With a staff of nearly 40, Aspen has built its impact and credibility through four means: identifying and elevating community colleges that achieve excellent student outcomes, researching and publishing the practices that drive those outcomes, developing presidents and other leaders capable of leading successful student-outcome reforms, and working with teams to advance transformational reforms. Through this work, Aspen engages hundreds of college leaders and practitioners each year at institutions that educate millions of students nationwide.

To advance its mission, Aspen is seeking a strategic and collaborative Assistant Director to manage a body of work funded by the Kern Family Foundation and coordinate the implementation of grant objectives. Reporting to the Director of Leadership and Field Engagement, the Assistant Director will work closely with Aspen’s senior team and other colleagues to integrate character development into our portfolios. This will both advance highly effective community college leadership and improve student outcomes (1) during community college, through learning and completion; and (2) after college, through bachelor’s attainment and employment with sustaining wages. Because this work cuts across multiple projects, the Assistant Director will collaborate with internal teams and external partners, including researchers, community college presidents, boards of trustees, and national association staff.

The Assistant Director will identify, test, and scale the leadership practices and student-centered strategies—including those related to character development—that drive student success during and after college. The role focuses on how presidential leadership, student advising, and program design can accelerate graduation, transfer, and workforce success. Working across Aspen's projects and networks, the Assistant Director will manage learning experiences, co-create field-facing reports and tools, and translate research into actionable practice.

This position is based in Aspen's Washington, DC office (minimum two days per week on-site) and requires approximately 8-12 weeks of travel per year. The salary range is $120,000 to $135,000.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Collaborate with Aspen’s senior team on project strategy and field communications

• Co-create project implementation strategies across a portfolio focused on leadership development, institutional transformation, and student success as it relates to character development.
• Oversee and contribute to the preparation of reports, case studies, presentations, and field-facing resources that elevate research and expand field awareness of project outcomes.

Lead project management for multiple concurrent workstreams

• Lead implementation of projects from initial concept through final completion, ensuring all work products and field-facing materials meet rigorous organizational standards.
• Coordinate activities across internal Aspen teams and external partners to achieve project milestones on time and within budget.
• Supervise and mentor project staff, including program associates and team members, to ensure project accountability and continuous improvement.

Support the execution of core project objectives

• Support research and field-learning activities designed to identify leadership practices and student-centered strategies associated with student success, post-completion outcomes, and character development.
• Work with senior Aspen leaders to develop and begin implementing a plan to impact community college presidential hiring at scale.
• Collaborate with research staff to translate qualitative evidence, field insights, and practitioner experiences into practical frameworks, tools, publications, and implementation resources.
• Work alongside Aspen’s programmatic staff to design and manage learning communities, convenings, and engagement opportunities for community college leaders and teams.
• Produce high-quality written communications, and contribute to the design and delivery of curriculum, case studies, executive learning experiences, and leadership development resources.
• Facilitate meetings to prepare senior leaders for coaching engagements, learning experiences, peer exchanges, and strategy sessions.

Manage the funder relationship

• Maintain strong, trust-based relationships with foundation funders, partners, and stakeholders.
• Contribute to proposal development, grant reporting, and stewardship activities.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

This role requires at least seven years of experience in education—either at an educational institution, association, nonprofit, or education provider—including direct work with community college leaders and senior teams. Familiarity with Aspen’s tools and methods for scaled institutional reform is a plus.

Qualified candidates will also bring:

• Education: A bachelor’s or advanced degree in higher education, public policy, organizational leadership, social sciences, or a related field.
• Commitment to Outcomes: Deep alignment with Aspen’s mission to improve student outcomes and ensure credentials lead to a good job, economic mobility, and a flourishing life.
• Project Leadership: A track record of managing complex, high-stakes initiatives on demanding timelines with multiple stakeholders.
• Collaborative Execution: The ability to work independently and productively with small internal teams and larger extended teams that include consultants, contractors, and third-party partners.
• External Credibility: The presence and communication skills required to effectively represent the depth and credibility of Aspen’s work to external stakeholders including funders, partners, and senior college leaders.
• Sound Judgment: The capacity to lead cross-functional project teams and manage daily operational details to maximize the achievement of project and program goals.
• Analytical Problem-Solving: The ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence and translate complex findings into actionable institutional strategies.
• Customer Service Orientation: Sharp attention to detail and a problem-solving approach that demonstrates patience, resourcefulness, and a strong commitment to high-quality execution.

HOW TO APPLY

All interested applicants must submit the following:

1. A one-page cover letter. CEP prefers cover letters that describe what motivates you and how you understand and relate to our mission rather than a narrative version of your resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
2. Resume/CV.

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 [email protected] 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.