Program Associate Jobs in Bethesda, MD (NOW HIRING)

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.

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
The Aspen Institute International Partners are on the frontlines of the defining challenges of our time, connecting global leaders, convening critical conversations, and catalyzing bold solutions.

Around the world, The Aspen Institute’s International Partners bring people together to take on the defining challenges of our time. Through courageous leadership and global collaboration, they spark ideas, build trust, and drive change in their communities and around the globe. Since 1974, the Aspen Institute has inspired 13 International Partners in 16 countries: Central Europe (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia,) Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Over the past half century, the global network has grown alongside the Aspen Institute in the United States, meeting a rising demand for the Institute’s proven methods for leadership development and problem-solving.

The Aspen idea continues to expand, most recently with the launch of the Aspen Initiative in Africa-Nairobi. Each branch of the Aspen family tree shares a common mission to drive change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the world.

ABOUT THIS ROLE
Reporting to the Executive Director of International Partners, the Program Associate provides key programmatic, financial, and administrative support for Aspen’s global network. The role supports the team’s efforts across the 13 International Partners.

Key projects include stewarding the yearly Global Changemakers Workshop, supporting the International Committee Meetings, developing and orchestrating new cross-network programming; managing and processing financial streams; and supporting administrative processes as needed. This is a dynamic role that requires proactivity, strong organizational skills, excellent writing ability, and an interest in Aspen’s mission and philosophical approach to collaboration.

The expectation is for this role to be in our Washington, D.C. office a minimum of 3x a week to collaborate with colleagues. The salary range for this role is $58,000 - $65,000.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

International Partners Network Management & Support

• Support the day-to-day management and coordination of Aspen’s global network of 13 International Partners, strengthening collaboration, engagement, and institutional alignment across the network.
• Serve as a key point of coordination for Partner engagement and relationship management, responding to requests and supporting ongoing collaboration across the network.
• Codify operational and administrative processes to strengthen organizational efficiency, consistency, and institutional knowledge.
• Maintain organized internal systems, partner records, shared drives, and operational documentation.

Program Management & Special Initiatives

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of key International Partners initiatives, including the Global Changemakers Workshop, International Committee Meetings, and other strategic convenings in development.
• Manage program operations from development through implementation, including participant engagement, logistics, travel coordination, reimbursements, materials preparation, and post-program follow-up.
• Support the design and execution of values-based leadership programming, policy discussions, workshops, and cross-sector dialogues aligned with Aspen’s mission and convening approach.
• Coordinate engagement with speakers, moderators, facilitators, alumni, and institutional stakeholders across international initiatives.
• Support development of post-program materials, impact reporting, and alumni engagement efforts.
• Assist in planning and executing bi-annual International Committee Meetings including agenda development, coordination with Partners and Aspen programs, briefing materials, logistics, and follow-up actions.
• Provide project management and operational support for emerging initiatives, special projects, and cross-network collaborations.

Financial & Legal Operations

• Monitor and manage incoming and outgoing funding streams related to International Partners, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, donor guidelines, and internal protocols.
• Lead the administration and long-term management of scholarship processes, including maintaining year-over-year scholarship strategy, tracking recipient participation and financial disbursements, and preparing quarterly reporting materials in accordance with donor requirements and organizational standards.
• Coordinate and manage legal and financial documentation associated with grants, contracts, stipends, reimbursements, scholarships, and partner agreements.
• Support the development, implementation, and codification of financial and legal workflows to strengthen operational consistency, compliance, and institutional knowledge.
• Track budgets, financial commitments, payment processes, and funding allocations across multiple initiatives and convenings.
• Serve as a liaison across internal departments and external partners to support timely processing of agreements, payments, reimbursements, and financial documentation.
• Maintain organized financial and legal records, tracking systems, and operational documentation to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and continuity across the team.

Strategic Writing, Operations, & Administrative Support

• Draft and edit a range of operational and strategic materials including briefing papers, reports, talking points, meeting materials, presentations, and executive correspondence.
• Provide administrative and operational support to the Executive Director and International Partners team as needed.
• Contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven team culture grounded in thoughtful leadership, relationship-building, and Aspen’s values-based approach to dialogue and engagement.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in international affairs, public policy, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in program management, international affairs, nonprofit operations, governance, partnerships, or related fields.
• Strong organizational, operational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex workflows, multiple priorities, and competing deadlines across international initiatives.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to prepare polished materials for diverse audiences.
• Experience designing and executing convenings
• Comfort managing detail-oriented workflows involving budgets, grants, contracts, scholarships, reimbursements, tracking systems, and institutional documentation.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders, institutional partners, and external collaborators across diverse cultural and professional contexts.
• Ability to work effectively across time zones and adapt to shifting organizational priorities in a fast-paced, globally oriented environment.
• Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to work independently, anticipate needs, and navigate ambiguity.
• Collaborative, mission-driven team player with intellectual curiosity and interest in international affairs, leadership development, governance, or global civic engagement.

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 hav questions about accessibility, please email hrsupport@aspeninstitute.org 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.