Director, External Engagement

ABOUT USAspen InstituteThe 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.Commitment to Diversity, Equity & InclusionTo achieve our mission of a more free, just, and equitable society, we commit to working proactively to advance the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our myriad endeavors such as the recruitment, compensation, training, and advancement of staff. The best people-serving institutions make this commitment, and we seek to be a leader in the ways that we do so and learn from others. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment and recent actions taken toward building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.Aspen DigitalAspen Digital is a nonpartisan technology and information-focused program that brings together thinkers and doers to uncover new ideas and spark policies, processes, and procedures that empower communities and strengthen democracy. It is future-focused and inspires collaboration among diverse voices from industry, government, and civil society to ensure our interconnected world is accessible, safe, and inclusive both online and off. Across its initiatives, Aspen Digital develops methods for elevating promising solutions and turning thought into networked impact. To learn more, visit aspendigital.orgABOUT THIS ROLEThe Director, External Relations, is an accomplished communications professional who will work across Aspen Digital to develop and execute engagement strategies that amplify the programs core messages, activities, outputs, and values. The Director will develop, grow and maintain deep strategic relationships especially in media and among policy makers, but also industry and civil society to help highlight project work, publications, and forums, as well as drawing on those relationships for public events, media education sessions, and closed-door convenings. The Director will also identify, develop and execute on opportunities to bring Aspen Digitals programming and expert perspectives in the news cycle.Internally, the Director will help individual project teams conceive, develop, and execute engagement strategies that drive identified project outcomes and promote key outputs, helping to align project visions across the broader Aspen Digital team and shaping plans that ensure the programs collective success and mission. In that capacity, the Director will collaborate closely with colleagues across Aspen Digital leadership, programmatic, event, and marketing and communication staff inside Aspen Digital and the Aspen Institute, and work extensively on major public events, like the Aspen Cyber Summit and other marquee public and private sessions.The salary range for this position is $155,000 - $175,000. This is a Washington, D.C., based position that will report to the leadership of Aspen Digital. Employees are expected to work in person at the office approximately two days a week. The position will require monthly or quarterly travel nationally and occasional international travel.WHAT YOU WILL DOBuild, steward, and grow productive relationships with high-level stakeholders especially from media and the policy making field, in furtherance of Aspen Digitals goal to drive informed, effective and equitable public policy decision-making around cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, media, democracy, and other key technology subjects.Develop, lead, and grow the programs key stakeholder engagement, relationship-management, and programming, to raise the public profile of the program.Keep a pulse on developments in media and policy making as they pertain to Aspen Digitals work, and identify, seize and execute on strategic opportunities for stakeholder engagement and thought leadership.Collaborate with senior program directors and other leaders across Aspen Digital to develop high-quality outputs, talking points, and platforms that amplify and highlight Aspen Digitals work.Raise Aspen Digitals profile among decision makers and the general public by positioning our experts to address relevant topics in the news cycle through proactive media outreach and placements.Take on project management responsibilities, including execution, coordination, managing deadlines, overseeing work plans and budgets, and other tasks as needed.Help develop, engage, and steward existing and prospective funders from across the private sector and philanthropy.Solicit input from a broad range of stakeholders including institutional leaders, partner organizations, internal colleagues including from other Aspen programs and the Institutes central communications department, funders, and the media to inform program development and distribute information to key stakeholders.WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVEHave 10+ years of relevant experience in communications, external relations, and/or media, with a track record of success performing in demanding environments that require strategic planning and execution, stakeholder engagement, and leadership in a team contextHave demonstrable subject matter expertise and networks in one or more fields relevant to Aspen Digitals work including, among others, cybersecurity, national security, artificial intelligence, media, or broader technology areas.Excellent ability to build relationships with stakeholders and lead and manage client relationsStrong network of media contacts and relationships with key reporters and editorsDemonstrated track record of placing storiesExtremely strong speaking, writing and editing skills, including a track record of effective communication that can engage audiences from public, private, and non-profit sectorsStrong analytical skills, strategic thinkingExcellent program management and execution skills to plan, organize, and follow through with a variety of internal and external constituenciesEntrepreneurial acumen and drive, and ability to respond to opportunities to strengthen and/or course correct program planAbility to manage multiple tasks without losing attention to detail in a fast paced environmentAbility to work with diverse audiencesExtremely collaborative, friendly, curious, and with collegial spiritEnjoy working in a team context, with excellent interpersonal skills and a desire to learnADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe 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.If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-5800.Department: ASPEN DIGITAL Location: Washington, DC Salary: $155,000 - $175,000