Operations Associate (Part-Time)

Operations Associate

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society's greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

The Sports & Society Program occupies a unique place in the landscape of sports. Our mission is to convene leaders, facilitate dialogue, and inspire solutions that help sport serve the public interest. Since 2011, we have provided a venue for thought leadership where knowledge can be deepened and breakthrough strategies explored on a range of opportunities, from growing youth access to play, rethinking the model for college athlete pay and building healthy communities through sports. Our signature initiative, Project Play, launched in 2013, develops insights, ideas and opportunities to help stakeholders build healthy communities through sports. We identify gaps in access and quality in sports for young people and empower leading organizations to fill them. Each year, we promote new ideas at the Project Play Summit, the nation's premier gathering of leaders at the intersection of youth, sports and health.

The part-time Operations Associate (20 hours/week) provides administrative support to the Sports & Society team to ensure smooth program operations. Responsibilities will include building and maintaining systems that organize project work plans, foster cross-program integration, manage internal functions related to budget, finances, contracting, and grant reporting; and assist in special projects at the direction of the Executive Director. The Operations Associate will work closely with all members of the Sports & Society team in order to support project operations.

The ideal candidate is a multi-talented, experienced professional who has a passion for handling a wide range of logistical tasks including finances; demonstrates professional communication skills; is eager to learn on the job; is excited about balancing multiple, often simultaneous, activities; and has extremely high standards for the quality of their work.

The role is a good fit for candidates seeking experience in the wide range of skills and capabilities needed to operate a nonprofit organization. The successful candidate will be creative, enjoy balancing multiple, often simultaneous, operational tasks, and have a passion for the intersection of sports, health, and collective impact.

The Operations Associate will report to the Executive Director. The part-time salary range for this role is $35,000 to $45,000 (annualized range of $70,000 -$90,000). In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the Operations Associate 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.

What You Will Do

• Organize and keep up to date Google drive folders, Asana (project management tool), Master Calendar.
• Gather information to ensure smooth transition to Salesforce CRM.
• Make agendas for team meetings (weekly virtual meeting, quarterly in-person meetings, and other topical meetings, as needed).
• Monitor budget for forecasting, invoicing and staff time allocations.
• Work with internal systems to develop and execute contracts.
• Onboard new employees.
• Process grant applications and related reporting requirements.
• Co-create project plans with other staff and report on progress.
• In partnership with senior staff, creates a monitoring system that allows for accountability and transparency towards project goals and deliverables.
• Supports executive director on special projects.

What You Will Need To Thrive

• HS Diploma + 1-3 years' experience, bachelor's degree preferred
• Strong work ethic, ambition, optimistic attitude, and commitment to excellence
• Excellent writing and professional communications skills
• Experience with budgeting/forecasting
• Superior attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Strong computer skills, specifically expertise with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products
• Familiarity and enthusiasm for use of AI tools
• Creative problem-solving skills and professional and polished interpersonal skills
• Strong interest and appreciation for sports and its role in society
• A desire to learn, a sense of humor, flexibility, and resourcefulness

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 View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io 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.