Program Associate, Communications

The Aspen Institute•Washington, DC

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Associate, Communications supports the Stevens Initiative by executing day-to-day external communications, coordinating a major technology transition, and providing logistics support for youth events and convenings. This temporary, 8-month, term-limited role is an internal operational anchor responsible for communicating the Initiative’s impact and sharing the stories of its youth participants. The position is scheduled for 32 hours (four days) per week and is expected to end in August 2027, with the possibility of continuing subject to manager approval. The role reports directly to the Assistant Director, Global Operations. The hourly rate is $30–$32. Under the Aspen Institute’s Reimagining Work policy, the employee should be willing to work in person with colleagues at least three days per week and may work remotely for the remaining time. The Stevens Initiative, part of the Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations, connects young people internationally, primarily through virtual exchange. The Initiative is looking ahead to deepen its focus on innovation, new technology, partnerships, and field-building. The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit founded in 1949, headquartered in Washington, DC, with a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

Requirements

1–3 years of professional experience in nonprofit communications, digital media, or program coordination.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience drafting press releases, web copy, social media content, or public diplomacy briefs.
Proficiency in Canva, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, WordPress, and email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact or Marketing Cloud.
Direct experience working with CRM systems and comfort managing contact data and system migrations.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage time-sensitive deliverables across multiple workflows simultaneously.
Ability to understand different audiences and stakeholders, including funders, governments, and global youth, and tailor communications strategies and deliverables accordingly.
High attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, adaptability, and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
Strong interest in the mission of the Stevens Initiative, a sense of urgency and enthusiasm for the work, and a collaborative spirit.

Nice To Haves

Salesforce experience is preferred.
Familiarity with U.S. Department of State or Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funding guidelines, youth engagement, or Middle East/North Africa region programming.

Responsibilities

Draft press releases, program launch announcements, messaging frameworks, and one-pagers for major portfolios of work.
Draft social media content and associated multimedia elements, such as graphics and videos, for social media, web, email, events, and programming.
Maintain monthly social media content calendars and draft and publish regular posts on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
Build and send monthly e-newsletters using Constant Contact or Marketing Cloud.
Update and maintain program webpages in coordination with the external web developer, Louder Designs.
Develop ways to highlight program and partner impact through photos, storytelling, social media campaigns, and other public-facing success stories, in alignment with Stevens Initiative branding and funder guidelines and requirements, including those of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Serve as the primary liaison to the Center for Rising Generations Communications team and fulfill requests for program updates and spotlights.
Design and update public-facing participant recruitment materials, including program-specific pitch decks, one-pagers, and digital assets using Canva, for youth and young professional audiences ages 18–24.
Coordinate the Stevens Initiative’s contact data transition from Constant Contact to the enterprise CRM+ system, in collaboration with the Operations team and Aspen ITS.
Clean, organize, and maintain stakeholder, partner, and grantee contact records in Salesforce and Constant Contact during the migration.
Provide logistics support for youth events and convenings.