• Job Description

  Req#: 2884899

  The Aspen Institute

  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.

  Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  To 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.

  Program Description:

  Weave: The Social Fabric Project was started by the Aspen Institute 2018 to counter a culture of hyper-individualism in the US that has left Americans divided, isolated and unhappy. Weave began with the understanding that there are thousands of individuals in our communities who are quietly rebuilding mutual trust and affection, combatting the crisis of connection that has manifested in division, isolation, and deep loneliness. These people are weavers. Weavers give, inspire, and spread trust by showing up for others and connecting their communities one person at a time.

  Weave works to meet the needs of these hyper-local leaders, connecting, inspiring, and uplifting their work to help them do the most good for their communities and society. Aspen's program strengthens weavers by providing them access to resources, opening doors to partnerships, and inspiring new generations of weavers. To achieve our vision, Weave has three strategic priorities: 1) We connect and support weavers; 2) We inspire new generations of weavers; and 3) We lift up and advance weavers as leaders in the networks and systems of community change.

  Basic Function:

  The Senior Associate, Community Engagement (Washington, DC or New York City, NY) works under the direction of the Senior Manager of Engagement to exclusively support Weave’s strategic priority #1 - Connect and support weavers . The Sr. Associate’s main responsibility is an implementer in Weave’s Local Community Partnerships programming by leading gatherings in person and online, to foster new trust-based relationships, and stimulate connection across communities.

  The Sr. Associate, Community Engagement possesses technical expertise in community building and building networks. They should understand the importance of cultivating and sustaining relationships among and between weavers, organizational partners, and Aspen colleagues in pursuit of thriving communities. The ideal candidate has a passion for Weave’s mission and has a demonstrated history of building community through skill and knowledge transfer and building relationships. They must be eager to lead dialogue and have strong facilitation skills to support Weave’s model for engaging community members and should thrive on opportunities to plan and lead gatherings using this model. The ideal candidate will have honed communication, restorative listening and facilitation skills and the ability to create positive, engaging environments where new relationships can thrive.

  This role juggles a busy travel schedule to partner locations in addition to requiring contributions to team tasks, so the Sr. Associate must excel at organizing the workday and week, and creating systems for efficient handling of community needs as our partners and locations expand.

  This position reports to the Senior Manager of Engagement. This position’s salary range is $70,000 - $80,000. In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the Senior Associate, Community Engagement should be willing to be in-person with colleagues a minimum of 40% of the time while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance. This role will report to our Washington, DC or NYC office a minimum of twice a week to collaborate with colleagues.

  Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  Community Engagement

  • Implement Weave’s model for community engagement, including dialogue facilitation and community building methodologies. Support the Senior Manager of Engagement in leading in-person gatherings across the country to launch local initiatives with growing responsibility of leading gatherings independently.
  • Collaborate with the community partner liaisons, nascent weaver communities and community leaders to advance Weave initiatives such as network building events, online information sessions, relational and trust building opportunities, learning exchanges and skill development programming .
  • Oversee the planning process for Weave community events and serve as lead for in-person events including all venue and vendor logistics, AV production, materials development, coordination, production and shipping of materials and management of registration process and database.
  • Manage consultants and vendors as needed to ensure high-quality planning and execution of program related events and meetings.
  • Take an active role in the online Weave Community platform and contribute to online community discussions, events, and programs .
  • Plan and lead regular virtual check-ins with partner community groups to guide and support in-person work .
  • Take an active role in developing surveys to track, monitor and evaluate community engagements in order to foster learning and maintain program quality.

  Program Support

  • Contribute to team problem solving and planning processes.
  • Contribute to relevant team research needs and grant writing efforts.
  • Deepen content knowledge in core program areas of relationship building, community engagement, and social trust.
  • Other duties as needed.

  Knowledge, Education and Experience

  • A minimum of 5 years of full-time, hands-on community organizing experience, preferably in campaign organizing, civic engagement or community building.
  • BA required in social science, civic engagement, social justice, public affairs, or similar. Master’s degree preferred or commensurate hands-on experience.
  • Commitment to our vision of a nation brimming with deep, healthy connections, where mutual trust and affection is the standard, equity is implicit, and all people find joy and meaning in daily life.
  • Skilled facilitator and skill set in relevant community and relationship building such as effective communication, restorative/active listening or creating inclusive spaces for sharing and transformative conversations.
  • Outgoing, empathetic, and able to quickly form warm relationships with people of all backgrounds.
  • Able to write quickly and clearly for different audiences, with high proficiency in English.
  • Strong planning and project management skills, especially in event planning
  • Commitment to bringing a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to all responsibilities and relationships.
  • Ability to work autonomously to achieve programmatic objectives and work as a team to contribute to a culture of team spirit and excellence.
  • Comfort with Microsoft Office or equivalent, project management software (i.e Asana, Basecamp, Monday) and content management systems and e-newsletter software (i.e. Salesforce, Canva) and social media platforms.
  • Multilingual skills are preferred.

  The 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.

• About the company

  The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1949 as the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies.

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