Program Assistant

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.

The Aspen Institute’s Policy Academy helps community leaders and experts across the political spectrum elevate their voices, influence key decisions, and strengthen democracy from the ground up. We believe that the people closest to problems are best positioned to come up with solutions, so we work to empower citizens to have a say in the decisions that affect them. Our innovative training programs and resources equip people across sectors – from tech to the environment, science to civic engagement – with the skills to shape critical policy efforts.

We’re building an America where everyone is engaged in our democratic process—and has the power to make a difference. The Academy's predecessor, the Aspen Tech Policy Hub, has helped more than 100 alumni and staff gain government experience and successfully change policies across federal and state governments.

The Program Assistant provides operational, administrative, communications, and events support to Aspen Policy Academy programs. Responsibilities will include supporting finance, contracting, and other operational processes; supporting writing and editing efforts; and assisting in special projects such as curriculum development. The Program Assistant will work closely with the small Academy team and will benefit from close mentorship from Academy and Aspen Digital leadership.

They will also attend most Academy training program sessions, giving them exposure to critical skills in policy advocacy and policy making, and the opportunity to hear from exciting guest speakers and policy leaders.

The ideal candidate is a multi‑talented, entry‑level professional who has a passion for handling a wide range of operational, logistical, and communications tasks; demonstrates professional communication skills; is creative and eager to learn on the job; is excited about balancing multiple, often simultaneous, activities; and has extremely high standards for the quality of their work. The role is a good fit for candidates seeking experience in the wide range of skills and capabilities needed to manage and operate a nonprofit organization and to learn more about the policy space.

The Program Assistant will report to the Academy’s Strategy and Operations Manager, who reports to the Academy’s Director. The salary range for this role is $60,000 – $65,000. Bay Area‑based candidates are preferred. Remote candidates must be willing to work mostly Pacific hours and to relocate to the Bay Area for a month every summer to help run our annual in‑person fellowship program.

• Assist with recruitment efforts for the Academy, organizing and executing outreach, reviewing applications, corresponding with applicants, and managing contracts.
• Manage weekly operations for select Academy programs, including taking attendance, tracking participation and accomplishments, managing electronic filing and contact systems, and collecting assignments.
• Organize curriculum material for select Academy programs, including drafting syllabi, prepping slides, and sometimes communicating with speakers.
• Attend in‑person and virtual sessions of Academy training programs.
• Identify opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of the program and implement improvements as directed.

• Process invoices, expenses, reimbursements, and payments for services for Academy vendors and speakers.
• Develop and maintain organization systems to keep track of finances, grants, and contracts.
• Ensure that internal Academy guides on finance, contracting, and other operations are up to date.
• Draft initial contracts for Academy vendors and coordinate revisions where…