Program Manager, Ocean & Climate

About Us 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. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment and recent actions taken toward building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.

Energy and Environment Program

The Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program (EEP) explores significant challenges with diverse thinkers and doers to make a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable society for all. We address critical energy, environmental, and climate change issues through non-partisan, non-ideological convening, with the specific intent of bringing together diverse stakeholders to improve the process and progress of policy-level dialogue. This enables EEP to sit at a critical intersection in the conversation and bring together diverse groups of expert stakeholders. In addition to energy and environmental policy, which the program has been addressing for several decades, EEP actively and purposefully engages in climate change policy – mitigating the effects of climate change, adapting to the inevitable impacts of climate change, and the international cooperation needed to achieve these goals.

About This Role

The Program Manager is a leadership position within EEP that researches, identifies, and develops substantive relationships with freight purchasing companies leading to engagement in Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels (coZEV) and the Zero Emission Maritime Buyer’s Alliance (ZEMBA). This role is ideal for an individual who has strong communication skills and robust experience in partnership development; fundraising; corporate engagement and recruitment; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.

This position reports to the Assistant Director for Ocean & Climate. The salary range is $90,000 – $100,000 per year based on experience. This position is located at the Aspen Institute’s Washington, D.C. office, and is expected to work from the office at least 40% of the time. This role is a limited-term position through December 2026, with a potential extension based on the availability of grant funds.

What You Will Do

Recruitment

• Develop, refine, and execute a recruitment and retention plan for ZEMBA membership pipeline;
• Research, initiate contact, and engage with prospective companies about their potential participation in coZEV and ZEMBA;
• Collaborate with trade associations, sustainability networks, conference organizers, partner organizations, existing member companies, and communications/events-focused teammates to identify and coordinate corporate recruitment opportunities;
• Set and manage to targets for growth in ZEMBA’s membership;
• Prepare, customize, and deliver pitch materials, including slide decks and other resources;
• Lead production and dissemination of pre-reads and follow up materials for prospective members throughout recruitment process.

Relationship Management

• Serve as lead point of contact for existing and prospective members;
• Maintain regular member communications to promote strong, lasting engagement;
• Maintain database of company contacts, profiles, key interactions and documents, and other pertinent information;
• Coordinate with colleagues and technical advisors to find solutions or responses to member questions as they arise;
• Lead design and execution of quarterly educational opportunities and webinars for member companies;
• Co-lead development of quarterly member newsletter;
• Seek feedback from member companies on ZEMBA experience and recommend associated process improvements.

Program Management

• Co-lead development of options for future ZEMBA membership fee structure;
• Follow industry trends, sustainability reports from key outlets, and other media to inform member engagement and prospecting;
• Develop and maintain a firm grasp of maritime decarbonization issues;
• Represent coZEV and ZEMBA in meetings, calls, correspondence, and other forms of communications with current and prospective member companies and other external stakeholders.

What You Will Need To Thrive

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, political science, business administration, or related field;
• 5+ years of experience in partnership development, fundraising, corporate recruitment, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or related field;
• Experience interacting with senior-level corporate stakeholders is strongly desirable;
• Ability and desire to rapidly learn a wide variety of new subject matter;
• Ability to successfully manage and track many tasks simultaneously, master workflow details, and self-prioritize;
• Ability to manage time effectively, work autonomously and with a small team;
• Strong customer service orientation – a “Yes, and” attitude;
• Ability to communicate through written and verbal means, with strong public speaking experience preferred;
• Strong professional and diplomatic interpersonal skills required;
• Demonstrable ability to discern political, economic, and cultural beliefs and ideologies related to policy questions and subject matter, including participant and institutional biases;
• Willingness and ability to travel, as much as 25% of the time during certain times of the year.

How To Apply

Applicants are asked to provide a resume and cover letter through the portal no later than September 6, 2024. We encourage you to use the cover letter as an opportunity to describe your interest in the position and your relevant experience.

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.

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