Director, Strategy & Operations

The Aspen Institute's Philosophy & Society Program seeks a Director to serve as the program's strategic and operational lead. Working closely with the Executive Director of Philosophy & Society, this role functions as a senior leader within the Initiative, driving execution across program priorities, overseeing operations, and ensuring alignment between the program's intellectual ambitions and organizational capacity.

What You Will Do

The Director will supervise program staff, establish clear goals and accountability structures, and oversee day-to-day program operations. They will also manage program budgets, track grant deliverables, and develop systems for tracking program performance and evaluating impact.

Why It Might Be a Fit

The successful candidate will combine strong operational and management skills with entrepreneurial energy, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to public impact. They will have a disposition oriented toward initiative, sound judgment, operational excellence, collaboration, and public impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in nonprofit leadership, program management, philanthropy, or a related field
• Experience managing teams, budgets, grants, contracts, and funded projects
• Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership skills, with the ability to translate vision into execution
• Comfort in a fast-moving environment, where the roles and responsibilities often stretch outside 9-5 hours
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, proposals, presentations, and briefing materials
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities, with strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships across sectors and constituencies
• Experience supporting or partnering closely with senior leaders on strategy, decision-making, and organizational management is strongly preferred

Benefits

• health benefits
• dental benefits
• vision benefits
• prescription benefits
• retirement benefits
• paid leave