Job Description
The Aspen Institute’s International Partners consists of 12 partners operating in 15 countries – with 8 partners in Europe, and in Japan, India, Mexico, and New Zealand. Since the first partner launched in 1974, each partner creates change in their communities through unique programming that remains true to the Aspen mission and idea of values-based leadership to foster a free and open society. Now more than ever, the network plays a critical role to foster civil dialogue amongst people from different backgrounds in a time of increasing polarization across the globe.
Reporting to the Director of International Partners, the Program Associate will undertake the following responsibilities:
INTERNAL
International Partners Network Management
- Manage the International Partners Portal to share events and key documents between Aspen’s international partners—to improve efficiency and deepen collaboration in the network.
- Liaise with International Partners point of contacts to facilitate/respond to partner development and programming needs (connections to relevant public and policy programs, speaker ideas, etc.).
- Collect regular data reports from partners on recent and upcoming events, staff, budget, and organizational changes to report back to the Director, EVP, IC Chair and prepare regular updates for inclusion in Trustee materials.
- Solicit nominees for major Aspen events that could/should include partners, including Ideas Festival, Action Forum, Socrates, Executive Seminar, CityLab, Young European Leaders Seminar, etc.
- Assist Director with communication to the IC chair on partner activities and respond to inquiries and prepare presentations and talking points for the chair and EVP as needed.
- Prepare appropriate meetings for partner visits to Aspen US with PPDs, communications, development, legal, etc.
- Design and launch a partners’ alumni database to foster long-term outreach.
- Work with the legal team to ensure MOUs and licensing agreements are up to date with new and existing partners.
- Work with Director, EVP, IC Chair, and US trustees to conduct annual Peer Reviews of (3) partners, as per the MOU’s stated intent, as a learning opportunity and a method for deeper engagement between Aspen US and its partners and throughout the network.
- Lead a review of partners’ boards and ensure Aspen US presence for international aspen partner board meetings where necessary and appropriate.
- Monitor incoming funds for the network and ensure appropriate paperwork/protocols are in place for distribution to partners.
- Manage Intern to support the International Partners and NextGen Network.
EXTERNAL
New Partner Process
- Work with Director to field inquiries of interest to become a partner through a demonstrated vetting process, including the Expression of Interest (EOI) and Letter of Intent (LOI), to provide substantial and substantive guidance on expectations, finances, policies, licensing agreements, and timeline for onboarding of a new partner.
- Perform due diligence research for new Aspen Initiatives.
Project Development
- Manage the Aspen-Microsoft NextGen Network between Aspen US, Microsoft, and relevant international partners, including liaising with funder, overseeing the budget, co-authoring the NextGen Report, overseeing the LinkedIn group, hosting webinars, and moderating relevant workshops.
- Work with the Director and EVP to seek out support for cross-network projects on issues such as youth engagement, women’s empowerment, and technology through Aspen US and partners’ events.
- Research possible donors and draft proposals for prospective funders of cross-network projects.
Event Planning and Logistics
- Develop planning for the annual spring IC meeting in a partner country and fall IC meeting in New York. This will include developing meeting agendas; working with partners on logistics; drafting correspondence; preparing meeting materials such as talking points and briefing papers; and ensuring follow-up activities.
- Coordinate Aspen representation at partner events and board meetings for all 12 partners.
- In coordination with the Director, plan and implement a staff exchange program between the Institute and one of its partners annually.
Communications
- Draft and implement a communications strategy to raise the visibility of our 12 partners in the US and around the globe.
- Develop and update new vehicles for outreach to inform the public and Aspen audiences of the work and impact of the partners, e.g. newsletter, social media, website.
- Collaborate with the communications team at Aspen to design and update the International Partners website and develop cohesive website design across the network of partners.
- Enhance IP external communications such as presentations, decks, and one-pagers, using graphic design and writing skills to increase the visual impact of all IP comms assets.
- Curate digital content and events each week to feature in the IP Global Briefing, sent every Tuesday, to share across the Aspen network.
- Create new social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) for IP and post consistently on new and existing channels, including YouTube, following an overall social media strategy.
- Design invitations and announcements for IP events and promote through social media, newsletters, etc.
- Manage communications between stakeholders and organizations interested in engaging with and supporting the efforts of the international partners.
- Ensure in-depth magazine piece provided by partners for each issue of the Aspen Ideas magazine and other Aspen publications and outlets.
NOTE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
