Executive Assistant to Vice President and Executive Director

ABOUT US

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.

ASCEND

Ascend at the Aspen Institute serves as a catalyst and convener for policy, systems, and social impact leaders working to ensure every family can pass a legacy of economic and educational success to the next generation. As the national hub for two-generation (2Gen) solutions, Ascend advances innovations that foster economic mobility through early childhood education, postsecondary pathways, health and well-being, and family engagement.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

As Executive Assistant to the Vice President/Executive Director of Ascend, you will play a key role in advancing her strategic priorities across a diverse and high-impact portfolio—including the Ascend team, Aspen policy department, external boards and advisory roles, philanthropic and policy relationships, and her co-chair position with the Aspen Institute Forum on Women and Girls. You will serve as a trusted partner, maximizing the Executive Director’s time, relationships, and focus while supporting administrative and operational needs as well as stakeholder engagement.

This role requires strong coordination with the management team and broader Ascend team as well as external stakeholders — funders, board members, and strategic partners. You'll help ensure her initiatives are executed with excellence and efficiency, often managing cross-functional projects and representing her values and leadership style.

Key objectives include:

• Enabling the Executive Director to operate as a proactive, responsive, and high-impact leader aligned with the highest value priorities and goals
• Helping strengthen the ED’s strategic relationships with intention, and embody her values/spirit and care for high-quality work as well as whole-person leadership
• Facilitating communication with the broader Ascend team and managing project plans that align with the Executive Director’s priorities, utilizing best practices
• Enhancing internal systems and workflows to support team performance and collaboration

If you are a rising executive with interest and experience in the public policy or philanthropic landscape, and you aspire to lead a nonprofit or social impact organization in the future, this role will help bolster your understanding of the landscape, develop your network in this space, and position you even more strongly for a leadership position in the medium term.

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven, behind-the-scenes operator who thrives in supporting visionary leadership. You bring strong judgment, initiative, and attention to detail, along with a foundational understanding of public policy or philanthropy. You are energized by complexity, operate with discretion and emotional intelligence, and bring both precision and care to your work. If you excel in fast-paced, mission-driven environments and enjoy thinking several steps ahead, this role will be a powerful fit.

You will report directly to the Vice President/Executive Director. The salary range is $85,000–$100,000. This hybrid role requires being in the Washington, D.C. office approximately 70% of the time, with periodic travel to Aspen, CO for convenings and strategic priorities.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Executive Support & Scheduling

• Manage complex scheduling and prioritize requests for the Executive Director, aligning commitments with strategic goals and priorities.
• Serve as first point of contact for stakeholders; respond to inquiries and ensure timely, appropriate responses while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
• Coordinate speaking engagements, travel, and media appearances, including logistics, prep materials, itineraries, and follow-up.
• Proactively design travel plans that incorporate strategic stakeholder meetings (e.g., Fellows, funders, partners).
• Support and staff select convenings, documenting outcomes and ensuring follow-through.

Cross-Team Coordination & Organizational Alignment

• Develop daily and weekly itineraries in collaboration with the team; attend meetings as needed to capture key takeaways and action items.
• Elevate requests, ideas and concerns from staff, particularly when Executive Director can add unique value and perspective on the topic.
• Support implementation of Ascend’s strategic planning and impact tracking by coordinating updates, input, and collaboration from across departments.
• Identify process bottlenecks, promote internal alignment, and contribute to efficient cross-team coordination.
• Manage shared dashboards, meeting agendas, and impact planning efforts to enhance transparency and cohesion.

Strategic Projects & Operations

• Manage and support special projects aligned with the Executive Director’s priorities, such as case studies, strategic convenings/salons, and knowledge management.
• Document and organize institutional knowledge, insights, and frameworks generated by the Executive Director in a confidential, accessible system.
• Collaborate with communications staff and consultants to elevate the ED’s public presence via media, speaking, and digital channels.
• Develop prep materials for high-level engagements and help identify storytelling opportunities that reflect Ascend’s mission and impact.
• Supervise the Coordinator for Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects to support effective implementation across teams.

Donor & Partner Engagement

• Liaise with donors, Advisory Board members, and senior leaders; draft materials and coordinate outreach.
• Track donor interactions and cultivate new opportunities with input from the ED and Management Team.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• 5+ years of relevant experience in a senior-facing role (e.g. executive support, fundraising/philanthropy, or executive communications).
• Exceptional organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage competing priorities with discretion and sound judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Excel, CRM tools, Zoom, and digital collaboration platforms.
• High emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Intrinsic motivation, resourcefulness, and a “no task too small” mindset.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in public policy, social impact, or the nonprofit sector is strongly preferred.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit our career page at Work at the Aspen Institute | The Aspen Institute and follow the instructions for uploading a resume and thoughtful cover letter, highlighting your qualifications and why this role is a strong match. Applications without resume and cover letter will not be considered.

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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