Program Associate, Communications

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.

THE CENTER FOR RISING GENERATIONS

The Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations (CRG) is dedicated to ensuring that civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development become a predictable part of the journey to adulthood in our society and around the world. Inspired by the Aspen Institute’s strategic plan and supported by a generous endowment from the Bezos Family Foundation, the Center for Rising Generations:

• Works to expand opportunities for, and elevate the voices of, youth and young adults at the Aspen Institute.

• Creates opportunities to convene and build community beyond the Aspen Institute.

• Encourages innovation that helps emphasize the assets that young people bring to help address today’s challenges.

The Center for Rising Generations manages five programs: the Aspen Challenge, the Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship, the Center for Native American Youth, the Stevens Initiative, and the Education and Society program. CRG works closely with and coordinates work across these CRG programs.

THE STEVENS INITIATIVE

The Stevens Initiative was established in 2015 to take a digital-first approach to connect young people around the world. Through the Stevens Initiative’s work, primarily in virtual exchange, young people have access to substantive international experiences, collaborating and learning with their peers abroad without having to leave their communities. Looking forward, the Stevens Initiative will deepen its focus on innovation, new technology, partnerships, and field-building.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Program Associate, Communications is responsible for executing the day-to-day external communications deliverables for the Stevens Initiative, providing essential project management for major technology transitions, and offering logistics support for youth events and convenings.

This 8-month, term-limited role serves as an internal operational anchor—finding creative ways to highlight the impact and share the story of the Stevens Initiative and its youth participants by drafting press releases, building public messaging collateral, overseeing partner media compliance, maintaining digital and social media platforms, and acting as the primary project coordinator for the Initiative’s migration to Salesforce Marketing Cloud and CRM+.

This is a temporary position set to work 32 hours (4 days) per week; this position will end August 2027, with the potential to stay on pending manager approval. The Program Associate, Communications will report directly to the Assistant Director, Global Operations. The hourly rate for this position is $30 - $32/hr. In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the Program Associate should be willing to be in-person with colleagues a minimum of 3 days a week, while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Communications

• Draft press releases, program launch announcements, messaging frameworks, and one-pagers for major portfolios of work.

• Draft social media content and corresponding multimedia elements (graphics, videos, etc.) to support social, web, email, events and programming.

  • Maintain monthly social media content calendars and draft/publish regular posts across LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. Build and send monthly e-newsletters via Constant Contact/Marketing Cloud.

  • Update and maintain dedicated program web pages (in coordination with external web developer, Louder Designs) to highlight subrecipients, partners, programs, and participant stories.

• Design creative ways to highlight program and partner impact through cultivating photos, creative storytelling, social media campaigns, and other forms of public-facing success stories, ensuring alignment with Stevens Initiative branding and funder -- including U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) -- guidelines and requirements.

• Serve as the primary liaison to the central Center for Rising Generations (CRG) Comms team, fulfilling requests for program updates and spotlights.

Participant Outreach and Engagement

• Design and update public-facing participant recruitment packages, including program-specific pitch decks, one-pagers, and digital assets using Canva, ensuring brand alignment for youth and young professional audiences (ages 18–24).

CRM+ Migration (Q1 2027)

• In close collaboration with the Operations team and Aspen ITS, serve as the internal project coordinator managing the Stevens Initiative’s contact data transition from Constant Contact to enterprise CRM+ system.

• Clean, organize, and maintain stakeholder, partner, and grantee contact records in Salesforce and Constant Contact throughout the migration process.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• 1-3 years of professional experience in non-profit communications, digital media, or program coordination.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience drafting press releases, web copy, social media content, or public diplomacy briefs.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Canva, social media platforms (LinkedIn, X, Facebook), web content management systems (WordPress), and email marketing platforms (Constant Contact / Marketing Cloud).

• Direct experience working within CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and comfort managing contact data and system migrations.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with a proven ability to manage time-sensitive deliverables across multiple workflows simultaneously.

• Ability to understand different audiences and stakeholders – including funders, governments, global youth – and tailor communications strategies and deliverables accordingly.

• Familiarity with U.S. Department of State / Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding guidelines, youth engagement, or Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region programming is a plus.

• High attention to detail, proactive problem-solver, adaptable team player, and strong interest in the mission of the Stevens Initiative

• A sense of urgency and genuine enthusiasm for the work, paired with a sense of humor and a collaborative spirit that keeps a fast-paced team energized.

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.