The Aspen Institute · 16 hours ago
Project Lead — Philosophy Research & Development Lab
Washington, DC
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$85K/yr - $97K/yr
5+ years expThe Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. The Project Lead will lead the Philosophy R&D lab, managing a team of research fellows and overseeing the implementation of core intellectual activities within the Philosophy & Society Program.
Non-profit Organization Management
Responsibilities
R&D Lab Management: Take delegated responsibility for R&D Lab and all associated Philosophy & Society outputs, including research and editorial publications, by leading a team of research fellows and other junior staff to implement P&S priorities
Operational Stewardship: Track grant deliverables, monitoring progress toward milestones, prepare reporting materials, and work closely with the Director on outcome measurement. Manage budgets associated with publications and related projects, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with institutional requirements
Intellectual Agenda-Setting: In coordination with the Director, develop vision to shape the program’s publications agenda, identifying themes, authors, and outputs that advance the public role of philosophy
Cross-Sector Collaboration: In partnership with the team, engage with philosophers, practitioners, policymakers, journalists, and civic leaders to produce work that resonates across audiences
Editorial Leadership: Serve as lead editor for the program’s portfolio of publications—including essays, policy papers, podcasts, books, and experimental formats. This entails not only ensuring clarity and precision but also making publishing decisions that foreground the most urgent and impactful questions. It involves primary accountability for the quality and detail of all outputs
Audience Development: Build pathways for our research and publications to reach beyond traditional readerships—developing strategies for placement, amplification, and media presence. This includes leading research fellows and junior staff to experiment with new channels and strengthen digital engagement to reach diverse audiences
Standards & Systems: Create and enforce research and publication guidelines, workflows, and publishing practices that balance quality, timeliness, and adaptability. Maintain the intellectual precision and stylistic consistency necessary for a public philosophy initiative
Strategic Growth: Contribute to fundraising, partnerships, and institutional positioning around publications. This may include drafting proposals, representing the program in external forums, and conceptualizing new publishing ventures
Innovative Dissemination: Translate complex ideas into formats that capture public imagination and spark discourse, including audio, video, and digital-first projects
Flexibility & Program Support: Contribute to the broader success of the program by taking on tasks beyond the day-to-day, for example including support for speaker events (from program design to light logistics), assisting with convenings, and any other tasks as the program grows
Any other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience, with management, editorial, and operational experience (e.g., tracking grants, budgets, or funded projects)
A portfolio of research, editorial, or authorial work that demonstrates both intellectual rigor and public clarity
Proven ability to lead complex projects with multiple stakeholders
Experience managing budgets, grants, and/or funded projects, ideally in a nonprofit or academic setting
Facility for both high-level vision and scrupulous attention to intellectual and stylistic detail
Demonstrated ability to move fluidly between philosophical depth and public accessibility
A disposition oriented toward curiosity, intellectual generosity, operational rigor, and public impact
Willingness to embrace flexibility, supporting tasks outside of core work when needed
Preferred
Individuals with advanced degrees in philosophy and a related field (political theory, history of ideas, literature)
Experience with multimedia editing (audio, video, digital platforms) is an asset
Benefits
Health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits
Retirement benefits
Paid leave
Company
The Aspen Institute
Our Purpose: We ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world.
Founded in 2023Washington, District of Columbia, USA
201-500 employees
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