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 Society of Fellows (SOF) is a national community of diverse and distinguished leaders who sustain and support the values-based work of the Aspen Institute. Members of SOF enjoy unparalleled access to Institute programs and events, including unique experiences with nationally recognized speakers and thought leaders. They are the first to know about Aspen Institute events, and they receive special invitations to member-exclusive programs across the country.

Position Description: The East Regional Director of the Society of Fellows (SOF) program works in conjunction with the Senior Director of SOF to recruit, retain, and steward donors based in Washington, D.C., New York, Miami, and other key East Coast cities. Additionally, the East Regional Director works with SOF’s marketing and events support to ensure SOF events are promoted, executed flawlessly, and align with Aspen Institute’s mission priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• SOF Member Stewardship & Cultivation: Responsibilities include cultivating new members, renewals, and upgrades of donors through emails, phone calls, letters, and face-to-face meetings. Maintain regular contact with current members and actively expand the Aspen Institute’s network in the Eastern United States. Responsible for researching and developing strategies in partnership with Major Gifts staff to cultivate relationships and gifts beyond annual membership.
• Manage Underwriter & Partnership Relationships: Solicit, secure, and manage underwriting and other partnerships to support SOF events, programs, and other activities in the Eastern United States.
• Budget management: Manage an annual budget and deliver an annual revenue commitment.
• Management: Manage one full time coordinator. Oversees the work of contractors as needed.
• Special Projects: In partnership with other Advancement team members, supports Aspen Institute fundraising priorities as time permits.

Principal Interactions: Interacts routinely with members of the Advancement and Communications teams with a special emphasis on Major Donor fundraisers; SOF donors; Aspen Institute policy program directors; national experts in a variety of subjects; and Aspen Institute employees at large.

Education, Experience, and Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Highly motivated, creative professional who can work comfortably in a high-paced, detailed oriented team environment.
• 7-10 years professional experience in development with an emphasis on growing and managing a middle donor program.
• 7-10 years program management and/or project leadership experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working with high level people.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills, with an emphasis on time-management and the ability to organize and implement various activities within a deadline-pressured environment.
• Excellent writing and computer skills, including high level proofreading.
• Preferred Proficiencies:
  • Fundraising software (Salesforce).

Note:

• Accountable for achieving annual revenue goals.
• Budget management & accounting responsibility.
• Travel required.
• Evening and weekend work required.

In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the East Regional Director should be willing to be in-person with colleagues a minimum of 40% of the time while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance. In-person consists of meaningful connections with colleagues in an office, traveling to a different office or location to meet fellow staff members, at an Aspen event, at a meeting outside the office or other opportunities to meet in person with teammates and 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.