Career Opportunities
ABOUT US
Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance global change science and solutions. AGCI seeks to improve our understanding of human and Earth systems, catalyze solutions at speed and scale, and nurture integrated communities across research and practice. We convene events, conduct research, provide advice to decision-makers, and develop innovative initiatives for implementation through a wide network of partners. Running through AGCI’s DNA is a strong institutional commitment to excellence in science that is actionable and accessible. For more information, visit agci.org.
Founded in 1989, AGCI is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) organization that supports staff and partners working to implement a mission that is international in scope yet grounded in local contexts and problem domains. As an “Institute Without Walls,” AGCI staff and consultants are based in various locations across the United States.
Open Positions
- Program Associate, Climate Reserve
- Development Relations Lead, Interdisciplinary and Engaged Science
JOB DESCRIPTION
ABOUT CLIMATE RESERVE
Effective climate action depends on a human grid: the people, networks, and institutions who collect technical climate knowledge and translate it into solutions. For decades, the public sector has provided invaluable resources to the work of measuring, forecasting, and responding to climate change’s impacts. But this work is increasingly becoming a target of hostility, leaving the future of that support in serious doubt.
The global endeavor to understand climate change’s effects and explore solutions is at risk. Our human grid is more fragile than we realized. We cannot afford to sit back and watch as it erodes. Climate Reserve is building a strategic backstop for our human grid. We have built a powerhouse coalition of partner organizations and experts to advance two reinforcing aims: rescue and reinvention.
Since launching in 2025, Climate Reserve has mobilized over $3 million for 27 placements, embedding high-value federal climate expertise within 21 academic, NGO, and community partners. These placements have catalyzed more than $2 million in additional committed and in-kind support from subnational and other actors, while creating coordination infrastructure that didn’t exist before. Alongside our rescue efforts, Climate Reserve has assembled a coalition of 40+ science, policy, and frontline coordination leaders. This coalition boasts extraordinary expertise, cultivated through decades of collective experience with a wide range of government agencies, universities, NGOs, advocacy groups, and more.
An initiative of the Aspen Global Change Institute, Climate Reserve is building its lean, six-person management team to steward this work over the coming years, supported by a network of consultants and coalition partners. Together, this team shapes strategy, recruits and places talent across career stages and disciplines, builds partnerships with advisors and host institutions, manages grantmaking, and strengthens coalition learning to deliver on Climate Reserve’s vision.
THE POSITION
Location: The position can be remote anywhere within the continental United States.
Travel Requirements: up to 3-5 trips within the U.S.; and up to 1-2 trips overseas per year.
Position Title: Program Associate*, Climate Reserve
Climate Reserve is seeking up to two dynamic, versatile, and analytical professionals to join our management team as Program Associates. Sitting at the intersection of strategy, operations, and coalition building, these roles offer a unique opportunity to help shape and scale a strategic backstop and connector for the climate decision support ecosystem.
Working directly with the Executive Director and collaborating across Climate Reserve’s three existing workstreams—Portfolio Strategy, Advancement & External Relations, and Network Management & Learning—the Associates will serve as vital cross-functional utility players. They will provide high-level research, operational execution, and strategic communications support, as well as project management across our growing rescue and reinvention portfolio.
These positions are ideal for curious, highly organized, and adaptive team players with 4–6 years of professional experience who possess an understanding of climate science, climate policy, and subnational decision-support ecosystems. Candidates should thrive in an agile environment, excel at translating complex inputs into actionable strategy, and enjoy moving fluidly between high-level analysis and day-to-day operational execution.
*The exact title will depend on the candidate’s level of experience.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Cross-Functional Strategy & Portfolio Support
- Conduct rapid-response research and landscape mapping to analyze climate science vulnerabilities, federal/subnational policy shifts, and emerging talent opportunities across the climate decision-support ecosystem.
- Support the Portfolio & Strategy Lead in tracking placements and monitoring portfolio metrics and OKRs across host institutions.
- Help synthesize technical information across climate decision-support domains (e.g., climate modeling, adaptation, environmental justice, data infrastructure) into clear internal briefs and strategic direction papers.
Advancement, External Relations & Strategic Communications
- Support the Advancement & External Relations Lead in drafting donor reports, fundraising proposals, pitch decks, and briefing packets for institutional philanthropic partners and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to strategic communications efforts by drafting blog posts, web copy, background briefings for external engagements, and coalition updates.
- Research prospective funders, track donor engagement cycles, and prepare read-ahead materials for high-level partner meetings.
Network Management, Learning & Event Logistics
- Support the Network Management & Learning Lead to support fellow cohorts, coordinate learning sessions, and synthesize insights from coalition working groups.
- Assist in planning, executing, and documenting key convenings, virtual workshops, and working group discussions across our partner network.
- Help capture and organize shared resources, blueprints, and best practices to strengthen Climate Reserve’s community of practice.
Operations, Systems & Team Coordination
- Provide robust project management support across ad-hoc initiatives, ensuring cross-functional projects stay on schedule and deliverables are met.
- Maintain and optimize team knowledge management systems, CRM tracking (e.g., Salesforce), and coalition databases.
- Coordinate internal management workflows, agenda preparation, and administrative logistics to support team alignment and operational efficiency.
Requirements
Experience and Background
- 4–6 years of professional experience in climate science, climate policy, environmental non-profits or consultancies, philanthropic strategy, or public service.
- Bachelor’s degree required; a Master’s degree in climate science, environmental policy, public administration, or a related field is strongly valued and may count toward years of experience.
- Demonstrated familiarity with climate decision-support ecosystems, including climate modeling, regional adaptation, federal science infrastructure, and subnational climate action.
- Prior experience supporting cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, or working within multi-stakeholder coalitions.
Technical & Operational Competencies
- Strong research and synthesis capabilities: ability to digest technical climate data, policy briefs, and qualitative feedback, translating them into succinct, high-level summaries and actionable strategy options.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with experience drafting varied content ranging from grant proposals and executive memos to web copy and presentation decks.
- Highly organized with demonstrated project management skills; fluent in digital collaboration tools (Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, Asana/Airtable) and data systems (Salesforce or similar CRMs).
- Ability to juggle competing priorities seamlessly, moving between research, operational execution, donor stewardship, and network logistics with high attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the diplomacy and tact required to engage comfortably with fellows, coalition members, advisors, and external partners,
Mindset and Attributes
- Deep commitment to public service values, scientific integrity, equity, and accelerating climate action.
- Proactive, self-directed, and comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-growing, dynamic initiative.
- A collaborative team player who brings intellectual curiosity, high situational awareness, humility, and humor to a remote, tight-knit team environment.
- Equity-driven, collaborative, and comfortable working across complex, multi-stakeholder systems.
Benefits
The start date could begin as early as November 1. AGCI operates a physical, primary office in Basalt, Colorado, with staff working from other states as part of its “Institute Without Walls” approach. Remote work within the United States is permitted in this role.
Compensation: Anticipated hiring range is $70,00-95,000. This hiring range is based on the general US market – this range may be adjusted based on an individual candidate’s geographic location. AGCI offers a generous benefits package, including organization-paid employee and dependent medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability, 401(k) with up to 10% employer contributions, PTO, paid parental leave, flexible scheduling, wellness benefits, and professional development opportunities.
TO APPLY
Be sure to include a cover letter (no more than 1 page) describing the following:
- Your relevant background, including ways you may have been impacted by shifts in federal climate policy and funding.
- How you have worked across multiple workstreams and stakeholders.
- Your understanding of and/or experience in the climate science and decision-support ecosystem.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with those received before September 30th receiving priority consideration. Additional applications may be reviewed thereafter until a candidate(s) are appointed.
Aspen Global Change Institute is committed to providing an equal employment opportunity for all applicants and to ensuring a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We welcome people of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences to apply.
If you feel you do not meet all the listed qualifications but are capable of accomplishing the aims of this position, we encourage your application. You will have the opportunity to share additional details about your work experience that are not reflected in a traditional resume. Our employment decisions are based on our organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, family or parental status, disability, age, national origin, or any other protected status.
THE POSITION
The Development Relations Lead, Interdisciplinary and Engaged Science supports AGCI’s fundraising and strategic partnership cultivation efforts across three primary areas: core organizational support, AGCI’s workshop series , and its engaged research program. Reinforcing AGCI’s 37-year history as a trusted, influential node in the ecosystem of global change researchers, decision-makers, and funders, this individual will build on decades of successful federal and philanthropic fundraising efforts by AGCI to grow and diversify and expand the organization’s donor base. The Development Relations Lead, Interdisciplinary and Engaged Science will ensure AGCI’s value and impact are clearly communicated and championed by strategic partners and funders.
This is a hands-on role for an experienced professional eager to act on new organizational development challenges and opportunities, both on their own and in collaboration with organization leadership. The Development Relations Lead, Interdisciplinary and Engaged Science will cultivate and solicit funders alongside program leads while running the day-to-day machinery of development. They will draw on AGCI’s organizational strategy and associated narratives to build compelling, funder-ready asks. This role is ideal for someone who can synthesize complexity into a powerful case for investment, build trusted long-term relationships, and help architect a strong foundation for AGCI’s future.
As part of its forthcoming strategic plan, AGCI is looking to grow core operating and program support by an additional $5M per year, from a broader and more diverse mix of funding sources and fundraising approaches. This target would build on AGCI’s existing budget of approximately $50M / year to leverage synergies across program areas and deep impact in emerging priority areas.
Responsibilities
- Own the development operating strategy for AGCI’s core operating support, Workshops series, and Engaged Research portfolios (e.g. annual fundraising plans, targets, prioritization frameworks) in coordination with AGCI’s Senior Leadership Team, Director of Strategic Advancement, and Advancement and External Relations Lead (Climate Reserve). Coordinate across a complex, multi-program organization across a diversity of internal stakeholders.
- Exercise experience-based judgement and intuition on funding opportunities and outreach based on AGCI’s priorities and capacities, advising program and senior leadership on where to focus fundraising efforts.
- Own the moves management process end to end: set and maintain the cadence of funder and donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation.
- Conduct prospect research and qualification to identify institutional and high net worth individual prospects capable of first-time gifts ranging from five to seven figures.
- Manage a portfolio of ~50-100 institutional and individual donors and prospects. Directly cultivate and solicit roughly half of this portfolio, carrying relationships autonomously, and support AGCI leadership in relationship management for the remaining half.
- Draft and maintain consistent communications with funders and prospects. Prepare donor briefing materials, as needed.
- In partnership with AGCI’s Executive Director and program leads:
- Coordinate development of proposals, reports, and other written materials.
- Advise on ways to adapt programmatic workstreams formerly funded by federal grants and reposition their value propositions and program strategies toward philanthropic and private audiences.
- Translate AGCI’s institutional narrative and case for support into funder-ready proposals and asks.
- Help surface what centralized development capacity AGCI needs as this function matures, informing the growth of AGCI’s development roles and structures.
- In partnership with development leads for other AGCI programs (Climate Reserve, Crux Alliance):
- Coordinate cross-team funding opportunities, prioritization, and moves management
- Align development strategies for cross-team support as opportunities emerge
- Develop cohesive narratives about the value of investing in AGCI
- In partnership with AGCI’s Operations and Finance team:
- Draft proposal budgets and financial reports, managing deadlines and compliance across the grant lifecycle.
- Lead AGCI’s funder CRM, consolidating historical donor records into Salesforce, adding and maintaining prospects, and establishing data- and file-management systems.
Requirements
Experience and Background
- Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in relevant field preferred
- 7–10 years of progressive responsibility in philanthropy, development, stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, or related roles.
- Direct experience owning funder relationships and fundraising strategy autonomously.
- Strong familiarity with the landscape of science philanthropy and global change funding streams (government, foundation, corporate, and individual), with enough fluency to navigate it independently.
Technical Competencies
- Exceptionally strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple donor and communications priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- Clear, compelling communicator—able to develop and translate complex impact stories into persuasive written, visual, and verbal narratives for diverse audiences.
- Comfortable navigating modern collaboration tools (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, and similar platforms), with a willingness to adopt new systems.
- Proficiency with Salesforce to build and maintain new fundraising database infrastructure on behalf of the organization.
Relational Competencies
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to inclusive teams and integrate equity perspectives into programs and partnerships.
- Strong external presence; able to represent AGCI publicly across audiences and build authentic, trusted relationships with funders and partners.
Mindset and Attributes
- A team player equally willing to close a major gift and to update a Salesforce record—sees no task as above or below the role.
- Energized by the prospect of helping shape new-to-organization development capacity that will evolve as the workstream matures.
- Adaptability, curiosity, and a growth mindset.
- Strong sense of self- and situational awareness.
- Persuasive, collaborative, and motivated to sustain and grow AGCI’s reach and impact in recognizing the public value of science that serves societal needs.
- Ability to thrive in a small, supportive, and fully remote team.
- Ability and willingness to travel, US and internationally, approximately 8 trips per year.
Benefits
WORK SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION
The anticipated start date is as soon as possible but no later than November 2, 2026. AGCI operates a physical, primary office in Basalt, Colorado, with staff working from other states as part of its “Institute Without Walls” approach. Remote work within the United States is permitted in this role provided the location has reliable internet and cellular phone access.
Compensation: Anticipated salary range is $125,000 – $150,000 annually. This hiring range is based on the general US market – this range may be increased based on an individual candidate’s geographic location. AGCI offers a generous benefits package, including organization-paid employee and dependent medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability, 401(k) with up to 10% employer contributions, PTO, paid parental leave, flexible scheduling, wellness benefits, and professional development opportunities.
TO APPLY
Be sure to include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) that reflects the following:
- Your relevant background and perspective, and how that experience shapes what you bring to this role.
- How you would approach diversifying a funder portfolio that has historically been primarily supported by federal grants.
Applications received by September 15, 2026 may receive priority consideration, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Additional applications may be reviewed thereafter until a candidate is appointed.
Aspen Global Change Institute is committed to providing an equal employment opportunity for all applicants and to ensuring a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We welcome people of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences to apply.
If you feel you do not meet all the listed qualifications but are capable of accomplishing the aims of this position, we encourage your application. You will have the opportunity to share additional details about your work experience that are not reflected in a traditional resume. Our employment decisions are based on our organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, family or parental status, disability, age, national origin, or any other protected status.
ABOUT AGCI
Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance global change science and solutions. AGCI seeks to improve understanding of human and Earth systems, catalyze solutions at speed and scale, and nurture integrated communities across research and practice. We convene events, conduct research, provide advice to decision-makers, and develop innovative initiatives, including re-granting and fiscal sponsorships, for implementation through a wide network of partners. Running through AGCI’s DNA is a strong institutional commitment to excellence in science that is actionable and accessible. For more information visit agci.org.
AGCI was founded in 1989 and is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) organization that supports staff and partners working to implement a mission that is international in scope yet grounded in local contexts and problem domains. As an “Institute Without Walls,” AGCI staff and consultants are based in a variety of locations across the United States.
ABOUT SOAK
The Science of Actionable Knowledge (SOAK) is a community of social scientists, engaged researchers, and practitioners. We conduct rigorous research and critical scholarship on how science is produced and used in decisions and actions. We seek to understand what enables knowledge to support actions that increase social and environmental well-being. We also work with research institutions and funders to learn about and implement leading practices for supporting actionable knowledge production. Through this work we build the capacity of SOAK scientists and practitioners. More about SOAK may be found on www.scienceofactionableknowledge.org
ABOUT CLIMATE RESERVE
Climate Reserve (CR) is a field-building initiative designed to safeguard and modernize the climate capacity needed for scaled global action. Born from a moment of profound disruption, CR is building a durable community of strategically placed climate experts to sustain critical work across data, science, policy, implementation, and frontline communities, with an eye towards reimagining how knowledge, talent, and institutions coordinate on climate action. By embedding talent in high-leverage roles and connecting those roles through a responsive learning and coordination network, CR is helping rebuild a climate ecosystem that is more resilient, distributed, and built to last.