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.

The Leadership Division of the Aspen Institute builds off its 70-year history of developing leaders across generations and place to become more effective, values-based leaders. Today, the Leadership Division supports the lifelong development of leaders through its (1) signature seminar offerings, (2) the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) and (3) Weave: The Social Fabric Project. All Division employees are expected to embrace and model the Division values of service, courage, humility, cura personalis, inclusion, transparency and collaboration. Read more about our social contract for leading and living with values.

Basic Function:

The Associate Director of Strategic Engagement and Development supports the fundraising capabilities of the Leadership Division during a rapid period of growth and momentum. This position is responsible for supporting the donor development process and leading a lean development team that serves all programs of and across the Leadership Division. In particular, the position has a focus on providing direct support to the Division’s EVP fundraising efforts. The right candidate will be a skilled fundraiser comfortable with donor-facing engagements, as well as a strong builder of back-office capabilities to maintain robust and sustainable fundraising operations.

The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following. All of these responsibilities will be delivered with an unwavering commitment to upholding and elevating our values, principles, and standards when evaluating and forging relationships with donors:

Direct Portfolio Management

• Develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan for the Leadership Division in partnership with the Division EVP, prioritizing pipeline building, in-person cultivation and stewardship planning, and other donor-centric engagements.
• Be able to serve as a frontline fundraising point of contact with select prospective funders to the Leadership Division and special initiatives with the goal of moving prospects through the end-to-end fundraising cycle with strong donor-centric experiences and stewardship.
• Closely support the Executive Vice President, Leadership Division in the management and stewardship of current and prospective individual donors within the Leadership Division portfolio, optimizing for efficiencies, providing project plans/management, drafting and coordinating correspondence, providing supporting materials, and tracking meetings and minutes on donor matters.
• Operationalize best processes and practices for ongoing cultivation and stewardship of external stakeholders at the Division level.
• Develop, manage, and execute fundraising events with the goal of creating a calendar of year-round donor engagement opportunities that advance prospects through key stages in the fundraising lifecycle.

Strategic Advisory and Donor-Centric Fundraising Support

• Maintain a client-services mindset and relationship-building approach to collaboration with the Leadership Division and its programs.
• Serve as the key resource and point of contact for development activities within Weave: The Social Fabric Project, Executive and Custom Leadership Seminars, and cross-cutting leadership division initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with the AGLN Development Director, identifying opportunities for collaboration, supporting special initiatives, and allocating Development Associate capacity towards AGLN fundraising deliverables.
• Interface with Weave and Seminars program directors, supporting fundraising strategies, and capacity-building for independent fundraising activities and strategy execution.
• Work with the Division’s Marketing and Communications team to develop powerful fundraising narratives and supporting material.

Fundraising Processes Oversight and Management

• Coordinate/author proposals to both individuals and organizations arising from Division fundraising efforts, including planning, strategy, writing, personalized follow-up, and stewardship.
• Ensure coordination among Division programs with regards to donor outreach and engagement.
• Closely partner with Aspen Institute Office of Institutional Advancement to further cross-program relationship management and best processes and practices for fundraising and gift management at the Institute.
• Work with the Institute’s financial teams to accurately track incoming and received contributions and revenue pipeline for up-to-date financial planning.
• Manage the Development Associate and temporary support staff.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Development Office, including annual budgeting and administrative needs.

Required Knowledge, Education and Experience:

• Have spent at least five years in a Development or related role. Senior-level experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing and running major fundraising campaigns to secure 6 and 7-figure gifts. While it is not necessary to have sourced gifts without the assistance of colleagues previously, there is an expectation that the Associate Director will do so in this role.
• Strong interest in the work and mission of the Aspen Institute and the ability to represent the organization externally.
• A strong communicator, with exceptional written and oral communication skills, at all levels, one-on-one and in groups.
• Excellent cultural competence and experience working directly with constituents from diverse racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds, and are committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion through your work.
• Service-driven and collaborative, serving as a thought partner to colleagues, with a spirit of “no job is beneath me.”
• Strategic, thoughtful, and organized with time management and prioritization of tasks; strong follow up skills.
• A resourceful self-starter with consistent follow-through. Known for working effectively independently and as part of a diverse team.
• Possess knowledge of Salesforce fundraising software (strongly preferred) and have proficiency with Google Workspace (strongly preferred) and Microsoft Office.
• Impeccable attention to detail and ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Strong judgment and ability to make decisions with the information available, yet, at the same time, know when to ask for help.
• Ability to remain clear headed and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Use of appropriate discretion when dealing with confidential information relating to donors.

The expectation is for this role to be in our DC office a minimum of 2 times a week to collaborate with colleagues.

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.

Individuals needing an accommodation to complete the job application can contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-5800.