Senior Manager, Benefits Transformation Initiative

Senior Manager

The Senior Manager is a core member of the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program's Benefits Transformation Initiative. This initiative is founded on the vision that everyone in America should be able to comfortably afford everyday life. To achieve this, the initiative convenes cross-sector leaders, develops innovative tools, and elevates actionable insights to close benefit gaps, enhance state capacity, and build integrated, responsive, and modernized systems of public and workplace benefits. This role moves beyond traditional policy analysis to focus directly on the implementation of these goals, representing a strategic commitment to supporting leaders in building the on-the-ground administrative and technological capacity required for true systems change.

Reporting to the Director of the Benefits Transformation Initiative, the Senior Manager will drive the adoption of benefits transformation solutions at the state level. The manager's central function is to act as a project leader, trusted partner, and strategic connector for state leaders. This is accomplished by actively managing multi-state implementation projects, convening targeted working groups of state executives and ecosystem leaders, and identifying and brokering connections between states and best-in-class technical providers.

Our ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial and results-oriented professional with a proven track record of managing complex projects and cultivating strong relationships with senior-level stakeholders, particularly within government. They will be a natural facilitator and a strategic thinker, capable of navigating the complexities of public sector systems change. This individual will thrive in a dynamic environment that demands a balance of structured project execution, diplomatic partnership building, ability to act quickly to respond to opportunistic moments, and a deep, mission-driven commitment to improving how benefits are delivered to American families. While not a minimum or mandatory qualification, we strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented demographics, and those with first-hand experience of financial insecurity to apply for this role.

The role is based at Aspen's Washington D.C. headquarters, with an in-office expectation of a minimum of 2x a week to collaborate with colleagues. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $115,000 per year.

What You Will Do

State Project Management and Implementation Support

• Lead and manage complex, multi-state projects designed to accelerate the adoption of modernized benefits delivery practices, from initial scoping and planning through execution and evaluation.
• Coordinate cross-state initiatives focused on specific, high-impact solutions, such as the development of a multistate common application, the modernization of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems, or the multistate adoption of new income verification tools.
• Provide direct support to state partners by managing and deploying resources, including potentially regranted funding for pilot projects and identifying targeted technical assistance (TA) to overcome implementation hurdles.
• Develop and maintain robust project management systems, including detailed timelines, work plans, and communication protocols, to ensure clarity, accountability, and successful outcomes across multiple concurrent state engagements.

Convening, Facilitation, and Network Building and Strengthening

Ecosystem Partnership and Resource Connection

Initiative Strategy and Collaboration

What You Will Need To Thrive

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.