Job Description

ABOUT US

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.

COLLEGE EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. We support this mission through multiple programs, including the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the American Talent Initiative, the Aspen Presidents and Rising Presidents Fellowships, Unlocking Opportunity, and a range of transfer initiatives designed to improve bachelor’s attainment for students who start in community college. Each year, our work engages hundreds of college leaders (and often teams) at universities and community colleges that educate millions of students nationwide. For more information, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org or find us on LinkedIn

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The College Excellence Program (CEP) is seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented Finance Manager to serve as a vital partner in our mission to improve student outcomes in higher education. Working across a $13–$15 million annual budget and supporting a dedicated team of 40 staff members, this position will lead the day-to-day financial operations for a robust revenue model funded by 20 philanthropic partners and fee-for-service engagements. The Finance Manager serves as an essential bridge between CEP and the Institute’s central finance office, ensuring the disciplined stewardship of fiscal resources. By driving the accuracy of budgets, forecasts, expense reconciliations, and data analyses, this position will provide the financial intelligence necessary to translate our resources into mission-driven impact.

We are looking for a finance professional with at least five years of experience working alongside senior leaders and project managers, preferably in the nonprofit sector. Qualified candidates will demonstrate:

1. Technical Expertise: Advanced proficiency in core financial responsibilities and the Institute’s enterprise systems (such as NetSuite, Planful, SAP, and Tipalti).

2. Proven Scale: A track record of leading financial operations for a similarly sized operating budget and portfolio of institutional grantmakers.

3. Skillful Communication: The ability to collaborate effectively with both financially savvy and non-finance stakeholders, serving as a "translator" of complex data.

Beyond the numbers, our ideal candidate is passionate about the transformative power of higher education and brings a proactive, resourceful, and thoughtful approach to their work with consistent follow-through in a highly collaborative environment. The Finance Manager ensures the fiscal integrity and operational success of CEP through its core functions, performed in close collaboration with CEP’s Senior Team, project leads, and the Institute’s central finance office. Beyond core financial activities, the Finance Manager serves as a key contributor to CEP’s Operations team, driving quality, consistency, and efficiency across human capital, fundraising, and administrative functions.

This position is based in the Aspen Institute’s Washington, DC office with a minimum of 40% in-person work (two days per week). The salary range for this position is $92,500 - $107,500. The Finance Manager reports to CEP’s Director of Operations.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Finance & Accounting Responsibilities

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the development and execution of CEP’s $13–$15 million annual operating budget. Act as a strategic partner to project leads, creating and refining forecasts that align resources with programmatic goals.
• Revenue & Expense Management: Maintain a constant "pulse" on organizational health by analyzing monthly financial data, collaborating with central finance on allocations and reconciliations, and conducting budget-versus-actual (BvA) discussions with project leads. Proactively identify potential efficiencies, redundancies, and opportunities for savings.
• Disbursement Oversight: Serve as a critical checkpoint for outgoing payments, ensuring every transaction is verified, properly categorized and documented, and aligned with both budgetary constraints and Institute policy.
• Grant Proposals & Reporting: Drive fiscal stewardship by producing precise grant budget proposals, managing the reporting calendar, and ensuring all financial submissions are approved and delivered to funders on time. Respond to ad hoc requests for financial information, as needed.
• Advanced Financial Analysis: Empower CEP’s Senior Team and project leads with actionable financial insights. Monitor cash flow, track personnel utilization, and manage unrestricted balances to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.
• Institute Collaboration & Compliance: Serve as the expert interface to the Institute’s central finance office. Maintain impeccable financial records for funders, grantees, and contractors while ensuring total compliance with organizational procedures.

Operational Support Responsibilities

• Capacity Building: Serve as a financial “translator" and coach for the broader CEP team. Empower project leads to take ownership of their specific budgets and project goals by training staff to interpret reports and providing intuitive self-service tools.
• Policies & Guidance: Design and implement financial policies that strengthen CEP’s internal controls and resource management. Provide the team with best practices for stewarding every dollar with a focus on efficiency, integrity, and maximum programmatic results.
• Revenue Plans & Fundraising: Partner with CEP’s Senior Team and projects to drive successful fundraising efforts through prospecting, opportunity qualification, pipeline management, and fiscal stewardship. Proactively explore revenue diversification strategies.
• Contracts Support: Facilitate due diligence reviews for CEP contracts and legal agreements. Act as a liaison with the Institute’s Legal team, positioning every partnership and vendor engagement to meet program expectations and requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Collaborate as a core member of the Operations team to evaluate complex organizational challenges. Contribute to a culture of excellence by developing and implementing CEP-wide solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity across the entire program.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required (Master’s or advanced certification preferred; CPA not required).
• At least five years of relevant experience is required, with a strong preference for candidates with a background in nonprofit finance and complex grants management.
• Advanced expertise in the Institute’s core financial systems (NetSuite, Planful, Tipalti, Concur) and the technical agility to master other enterprise tools, including Airtable, Ironclad, Salesforce, and Asana.
• An unwavering commitment to high ethical standards, rigorous internal controls, and the transparent governance of fiscal resources.
• A "customer-first" approach to internal support characterized by active listening, patience, and a resourceful, responsive attitude toward project teams.
• An ability to distill complex financial data into clear, digestible narratives for non-finance stakeholders through high-impact writing, verbal clarity, and interpersonal savvy.
• A proven track record of delivering high-quality results under pressure, navigating ambiguity with ease, and pivoting gracefully in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment.
• An ability to move beyond "reporting the past" to identifying trends, forecasting risks, and providing the actionable intelligence that informs strategic decision-making.
• A meticulous eye for detail and elite organizational skills, ensuring 100 percent accuracy across diverse data sets and reporting requirements.
• A proactive, self-directed learner with a collaborative mindset who seeks out continuous improvement and thrives in a culture of shared success.

HOW TO APPLY

All interested applicants must submit the following:

1. A one-page cover letter. CEP prefers cover letters that describe what motivates you and how you understand and relate to our mission rather than a narrative version of your resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

2. Resume/CV.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning April 1, with a desired hiring date in June 2026.

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.