Manager, Programs & Impact

The Aspen Institute•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Programs & Impact is a core member of the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program’s Programs & Impact team and leads the substantive work of projects across its portfolio. The Manager designs programming, leads agenda development, manages stakeholder relationships, contributes to fundraising, and advances long-term programmatic impact. The role balances multiple projects and timelines, delivers high-quality outcomes, and serves as a trusted content resource and partner to senior staff and external collaborators. The position reports directly to the Director, Programs & Impact. The Manager leads assigned forums, convenings, and public events; translates objectives into agendas, discussion questions, participant strategies, and written products; and conducts research and analysis on emerging policy, market, and technology developments. The role works with stakeholders, program leadership, and senior fellows to shape project strategy, ensure diverse perspectives inform the work, and move convening outcomes toward practical action. The Manager also leads written products, oversees project delivery and budgets, supports staff development, and coordinates work across internal teams. The Aspen Institute’s Reimagining Work policy expects the Manager to work in person with colleagues at least 40 percent of the time, with flexibility to work remotely for the balance. In-person work includes office collaboration, travel to other Aspen sites, convenings, and external meetings. The salary range is $90,000–$100,000. Occasional international travel may be required.

Requirements

At least 5 years of relevant experience.
Broad knowledge and conceptual understanding of relevant content or functional areas, with the ability to learn quickly and communicate across a wide range of policy topics.
Excellent project and portfolio management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple complex bodies of work and ensure high-quality execution.
Ability to connect individual projects and initiatives to broader program strategy and identify opportunities to increase impact.
Originality and creativity in applying information and knowledge to complex programmatic challenges.
Excellent writing, communication, presentation, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with credibility among senior internal and external audiences.
Strong commitment to creating an environment in which diverse perspectives can contribute meaningfully.
High degree of accountability, initiative, adaptability, and resilience, with the ability to anticipate challenges and develop solutions.
Willingness and ability to travel, including occasional international travel.
A “Yes, and” attitude.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage relationships with partners, discussants, funders, and prospective funders for assigned work, coordinating with the Director and relevant relationship owners.
Represent the program with senior stakeholders within agreed priorities and delegated authority, and communicate EEP’s goals, work, and impact.
Partner with development colleagues to identify and advance funding opportunities; contribute proposal content; participate in cultivation conversations; support stewardship; and coordinate program commitments, updates, reports, and engagement opportunities.
Assess partner and funder landscapes and prioritize opportunities with the Director and development colleagues; define proposed scope, outcomes, deliverables, and resource requirements.
Lead development and delivery of assigned forums, convenings, and public events, translating objectives into agendas, discussion questions, participant strategies, and written products.
Identify trends, gaps, and new concepts, and bring recommendations to the Director for prioritization.
Conduct and oversee research and analysis on emerging policy, market, and technology developments; guide staff contributions for accuracy, relevance, and varied perspectives.
Engage stakeholders to test findings and work with program leadership and senior fellows to translate insights into project strategy.
Ensure varied perspectives inform project design, research, and participant selection; structure discussions for productive disagreement and practical next steps.
Manage pathways from convening outputs to action by documenting proposed solutions, identifying responsible parties, establishing next steps, and advancing approved workstreams and partnerships.
Recommend opportunities for further development, resources, partnership, or handoff to another organization.
Establish practical measures of progress and outcomes, oversee feedback collection, adjust plans based on evidence, and communicate risks, lessons, course corrections, and decisions needed to the Director.
Lead written products from concept through completion, including reports, proposals, briefings, and external communications; delegate research, drafting, and production support while retaining responsibility for quality and timely completion.
Translate strategy into coordinated work plans across Aspen Ideas, Policy Forums, and other initiatives; manage day-to-day implementation across the Solutions & Impact portfolio.
Establish project objectives, timelines, roles, deliverables, and accountability; monitor dependencies and staffing needs; resolve competing demands; and elevate decisions requiring the Director’s input.
Serve as programmatic lead on site for assigned convenings, coordinating content and stakeholder needs with operations and production teams and ensuring an organized, inclusive participant experience.
Manage assigned project budgets and resource needs with operations and finance colleagues; monitor capacity, flag potential overruns and sustainability concerns, and recommend adjustments.
Provide day-to-day guidance and professional development support to the Associate and Coordinator, including setting expectations, assigning and reviewing work, and providing regular feedback.
Coordinate assignments and priorities with senior colleagues and support an inclusive, collaborative team culture.
Align responsibilities across EEP, operations, development, communications, and other Institute colleagues; establish consistent project management practices and provide timely updates to the Director.