Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships & Development in DC or Flexible , District of Columbia at The Aspen Institute

ABOUT US

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.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT

The Aspen Institute's Public Programs Department creates and produces high-impact convenings that bring together leaders, experts, innovators, and diverse communities to engage with consequential ideas and issues shaping our world. The portfolio includes the Aspen Ideas Festival and other Aspen Ideas initiatives and convenings, with a focus on exceptional content, meaningful dialogue, audience engagement, and sustainable growth, as well as conference services, Aspen Community Programs, and other major initiatives including CityLab with Bloomberg Philanthropies.

As the Public Programs portfolio continues to evolve and expand, the department is building a more coordinated approach to corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and philanthropic support across its programs.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships & Development will lead fundraising and corporate partnership development for the Aspen Institute's Public Programs Department. Reporting directly to the EVP of Public Programs & Engagement, the Senior Director will be responsible for executing a coordinated underwriting strategy across the Public Programs portfolio, with an initial emphasis on corporate sponsorships and partnerships.

This is a part-time, remote leadership role with significant responsibility and autonomy. The Senior Director will inherit and manage existing relationships and opportunities while developing a robust pipeline of new prospects and identifying opportunities for growth across Public Programs. Importantly, this role will assist the EVP in building the fundraising function for Public Programs. The Senior Director will establish systems, priorities, goals, and processes that create greater coordination and accountability to position the function for future growth.

The Senior Director will manage and direct contractors and other fundraising resources as appropriate and will work closely with Public Programs leadership, program leads, and the Institute's advancement colleagues to ensure efforts are coordinated and aligned. The salary for this position is $100,000. The Senior Director will be expected to work up to 20 hours per week.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and corporate partnership strategy for the Public Programs portfolio in collaboration with the EVP.
• Assume responsibility for the department's corporate sponsorship and fundraising pipeline, with clear goals for prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, renewal, and growth.
• Identify and cultivate new corporate, foundation, and other prospective funding relationships aligned with Public Programs priorities.
• Grow existing relationships by identifying opportunities for expanded, multi-year, and cross-portfolio partnerships.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals and regularly report progress, pipeline activity, forecasts, opportunities, and risks to the EVP.

Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships

• Serve as the primary Public Programs lead for corporate sponsorship strategy and relationship management.
• Lead the execution of sponsorship opportunities and proposals that connect partner interests with appropriate Public Programs initiatives while protecting the editorial independence and integrity of Aspen Institute programming.
• Manage senior-level relationships with corporate partners and prospects from initial cultivation through solicitation, contracting, activation, stewardship, and renewal.
• Work with program and event teams to ensure sponsorship commitments and benefits are appropriately communicated and delivered.

Building the Function

• Work with the EVP to build and refine the infrastructure necessary for a high-performing Public Programs fundraising operation, including pipeline management, prospect prioritization, forecasting, stewardship, and reporting.
• Manage and provide direction to one or more contractors and, as the function grows, help define future staffing and resource needs.
• Assess performance against established goals and adjust strategies and resources as needed.

Internal & Executive Partnership

• Serve as a strategic fundraising advisor to the EVP of Public Programs & Engagement.
• Work closely with Public Programs leaders to understand programmatic priorities and translate them into compelling partnership and funding opportunities.
• Coordinate appropriately with the Institute's advancement teams to ensure alignment on prospects, relationships, and broader institutional fundraising priorities.
• Prepare the EVP for significant prospect and partner meetings, including strategy, briefings, talking points, and follow-up.
• Represent Public Programs in meetings with current and prospective corporate and philanthropic partners and, as necessary, at key Institute convenings and events.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• 15+ years of senior-level experience in corporate sponsorships, fundraising, business development, strategic partnerships, or a related field.
• Demonstrated track record of developing new business and successfully cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant corporate or philanthropic partnerships.
• Experience building and growing a fundraising, partnership, or business development function is required.
• Experience managing staff, consultants, contractors, or other external resources and holding teams accountable for defined outcomes.
• Strong strategic judgment and the ability to translate organizational priorities into actionable fundraising strategies.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to engage effectively with senior executives, donors, partners, trustees, and internal leaders.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling partnership concepts and proposals.
• Highly organized and results-oriented, with demonstrated ability to set priorities, establish measurable goals, monitor progress, and adjust strategy to achieve results.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment when handling sensitive relationships and information.
• Comfortable operating both independently and collaboratively in a complex, fast-paced organization.
• Intellectual curiosity and genuine interest in ideas, current events, public dialogue, and the mission of the Aspen Institute.
• Experience with CRM and pipeline management systems; Salesforce experience preferred.
• Periodic travel required for key partner meetings, cultivation opportunities, and Public Programs events, and as determined by EVP.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

Success will be measured by the Senior Director's ability to:

• Build and maintain a healthy, diversified pipeline of corporate and philanthropic prospects.
• Meet established annual fundraising and sponsorship revenue goals.
• Grow and deepen existing partnerships while generating meaningful new relationships.
• Establish disciplined systems for prospect management, forecasting, stewardship, and reporting.
• Effectively manage contractors and other fundraising resources against clear deliverables.
• Serve as a trusted, responsive, and accountable strategic partner to the EVP.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

The Aspen Institute welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs, including the interview process. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please email hrsupport@aspeninstitute.org or call 202-736-2127 in advance of your visit. Requests for ASL or CART services should be made at least two weeks in advance when possible. We will make every effort to fulfill requests, subject to availability