Director, Strategy & Operations

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, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

PHILOSOPHY & SOCIETY

Through publications, events, and original research, Philosophy & Society grapples with our most pressing questions of societal purpose — What is justice? What is a good life? What is society for? Learn more here.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Aspen Institute’s Philosophy & Society Program seeks a Director to serve as the program’s strategic and operational lead. Working closely with the Executive Director of Philosophy & Society, this role functions as a senior leader within the Initiative, driving execution across program priorities, overseeing operations, and ensuring alignment between the program’s intellectual ambitions and organizational capacity.

The Director serves as the principal operational leader for the program, with primary responsibility for staff management and team culture, along with building the systems, partnerships, and organizational infrastructure necessary to advance Philosophy & Society’s mission and growth. The role requires exceptional strategic judgment, organizational leadership, and the ability to manage complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. The successful candidate will combine strong operational and management skills with entrepreneurial energy, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to public impact.

The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $105,000. This is an in-person (non-remote) role—based in Washington, D.C with in-office expectations.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

People & Team Leadership

• Supervise program staff and support a high-performing team culture.
• Establish clear goals, accountability structures, and professional development opportunities while ensuring effective collaboration across functions.
• Establish a positive team culture across the initiative’s full- and part-time staff members.

Operational Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor and operational partner to the Director.
• Coordinate decision-making processes, prepare briefing materials, manage strategic projects, and ensure follow-through on key priorities. Oversee day-to-day program operations and develop systems that support efficiency, accountability, and sustainable growth.
• Establish workflows and processes that enable the successful execution of program priorities.

Grant & Budget Management

• Track grant deliverables, monitor progress toward milestones, prepare reporting materials, and ensure compliance with funder requirements.
• Manage program budgets and support financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation.

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the Executive Director to set and execute the program’s strategic priorities.
• Lead planning processes, drive cross-functional initiatives, and ensure alignment between the program’s intellectual agenda, organizational resources, and long-term goals.
• Develop and manage systems for tracking program performance, evaluating impact, and reporting outcomes, using data to inform decision-making.

Fundraising and Partnership Development

• Partner with the Executive Director to develop and execute fundraising strategies that support program growth.
• Cultivate relationships with funders, contribute to donor stewardship, and lead proposal development, reporting, and grant management efforts.
• Build and manage relationships with philanthropic partners, academic institutions, media organizations, and external collaborators.
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships that advance program goals and expand the Initiative’s reach.

Events & Convenings

• Oversee the planning and execution of public programs, workshops, convenings, and special events, with direct oversight of the Senior Associate for Events.
• Ensure successful coordination across programming, logistics, communications, and stakeholder engagement.

Cross-Institute Collaboration

• Represent the program internally and collaborate with colleagues across the Aspen Institute to identify opportunities for partnership, alignment, and shared impact.

Special Projects

• Lead or support special initiatives as needed, including new program launches, institutional partnerships, and other strategic opportunities.
• Any other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in nonprofit leadership, program management, philanthropy, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams, budgets, grants, contracts, and funded projects.
• Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership skills, with the ability to translate vision into execution.
• Comfort in a fast-moving environment, where the roles and responsibilities often stretch outside 9-5 hours.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, proposals, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships across sectors and constituencies.
• Experience supporting or partnering closely with senior leaders on strategy, decision-making, and organizational management is strongly preferred.
• Comfort working in a dynamic environment where priorities evolve and new opportunities emerge.
• A disposition oriented toward initiative, sound judgment, operational excellence, collaboration, and public impact.
• Interest in the mission of public philosophy and the broader goals of the Philosophy & Society Initiative.
• Interest in or familiarity with philosophy, ethics, or civic dialogue is a plus.

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.

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