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

The Leadership Division of the Aspen Institute builds off its 70-year history of developing leaders across generations and place to become more effective, values-based leaders. Today, the Division includes (1) the Seminars Department, (2) the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN); (3) Weave: The Social Fabric Project, which connects and supports grassroots community leaders.

Office of Curriculum and Moderators (OCM) supports the Aspen Institute to deliver high-quality leadership and values seminars. The Office aims to: (1) maintain and improve the high quality of moderating and curriculum in existing Leadership Division seminars; (2) extend high quality moderating and curriculum to broader audiences outside of the Leadership Division, including Policy and Public Programs, International Partners, Aspen Institute staff, and the general public; (3) capture, articulate and disseminate the best practices of moderating and curriculum design, including an understanding of the Institute's history, theory of experience, and theory of change; and (4) archive seminar readings, framing, historical material, including the expansion of an indexed, searchable library which supports high quality curriculum and other core materials.

Basic Function:

The Editorial Production Associate works with the Senior Associate, Editorial Production, to produce high-quality reading materials for approximately 70-80 seminars per year. This includes formatting and overseeing the printing of previously published reading materials, developing and maintaining the corresponding digital archive of texts, securing the necessary copyrights for the reading materials, and ensuring high-quality materials and archival integrity. Duties do not include the development or copy-editing of original content for publication. The position requires exacting attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, facility in InDesign and Salesforce, and a passion for public humanities. Strong candidates will approach their work with a customer-centric mindset, finding meaning through collaboration and client satisfaction.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

The Editorial Production Associate works with the Senior Associate in the coordination, production, distribution, and tracking/archiving of readings for 70-80 humanities-based leadership seminars per year. Primary responsibilities fall into three related areas: readings production, securing copyrights, and maintaining an archive of readings and copyright information.

Readings Production:

• Work with the Senior Associate and the Head, Office of Curriculum and other program personnel to create readings booklets for leadership seminars, using existing material and formatting new material as needed
• Ensure high-quality processes and products according to existing formats and, when needed, specialty formats, including editing and proofreading materials for style, accuracy, consistency, and clarity
• Communicate and meet clear project processes, timelines and deliverables to ensure timely reading materials based on various programs needs and runways
• Work with program coordinators to ensure packaging and shipping of seminar readings

Securing Copyrights:

• Secure copyright permissions, including tracking, payment, and correctly invoicing copyright purchases
• Research and communicate with publishers as required to determine copyright holder
• Help maintain records of secured copyrights and costs

Readings Archive:

• Assist in developing and maintaining archival and working libraries of seminar materials (both digital and hardcopy) and metadata
• Track usage of individual texts, including version control
• Manage the inventory of present and past seminar readings and other materials (including materials acquired over seven decades)

Additionally, the Editorial Production Associate will work with the Senior Associate and the Head, Office of Curriculum and Moderators and other program personnel to expand quality control and archival records to other programs outside of the Leadership Division.

Knowledge, Skills, Education, and Experience:

• Understanding of and commitment to the Aspen Institute ideals and the purposes and seminar methods of the Leadership Division
• Bachelor's degree (liberal arts background preferred) and a preference for a minimum two years of experience in an editorial/production capacity within educational publishing, including a demonstrated understanding of production processes for print and digital materials
• Substantial editorial and proofreading experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to create meaningful relationships that centers clients
• Experience in digital file management and/or library science
• Ability to take initiative, make decisions, and work independently, and collaboratively
• Exacting attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities and work flows, and adapt to changing deadlines
• Sensitivity to working with others from different cultures and backgrounds
• Have an opportunity-based approach to solving problems
• Computer skills (proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, InDesign, Adobe Acrobat and Creative Cloud, Salesforce, and FileMaker Pro)

In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the Editorial Production 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. In-person consists of meaningful connections with colleagues in an office, traveling to a different office or location to meet fellow staff members, at an Aspen event, at a meeting outside the office, or other opportunities to meet in person with teammates and colleagues.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered for the position.

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.

Individuals needing an accommodation to complete the job application can contact or call (202) 736-5800.