Application Guide

How to Apply for SHIP Portfolio and Strategy Lead

at Aspen Global Change Institute

🏢 About Aspen Global Change Institute

The Aspen Global Change Institute has been a pioneer in interdisciplinary climate research for over three decades, uniquely bridging Earth's physical, natural, and human systems. Working here offers the chance to contribute to an organization with deep scientific credibility and a long-term perspective on systemic change, ideal for those who want to translate complex climate science into actionable strategies.

About This Role

As SHIP Portfolio and Strategy Lead, you'll shape the strategic direction of SHIP's grantmaking by identifying high-impact opportunities where targeted talent and funding can accelerate climate action. This role involves maintaining a portfolio-level view, assessing progress, and developing strategic recommendations in collaboration with coalition working groups to ensure SHIP's interventions have outsized impact.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing emerging climate action opportunities, synthesizing data from multiple portfolio analyses to identify strategic gaps, and preparing recommendations for coalition working groups. You'd likely spend time assessing grantmaking progress against strategic objectives, while also staying current with climate policy and science developments that could inform portfolio adjustments.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Aspen Global Change Institute Is Looking For

  • Has 7-10 years of program or grantmaking leadership experience specifically managing large-scale, multi-million dollar climate or environmental portfolios
  • Demonstrates expertise across multiple climate action domains including mitigation, adaptation, environmental justice, science policy, and climate science (not just one specialty)
  • Possesses exceptional strategic planning skills with proven ability to manage multiple complex portfolio analyses simultaneously while maintaining big-picture perspective
  • Has experience working in coalition environments and can show examples of developing strategic recommendations through collaborative processes

📝 Tips for Applying to Aspen Global Change Institute

1

Quantify your portfolio management experience - specify dollar amounts, number of grants, and geographic scope of portfolios you've managed

2

Highlight specific examples where you identified emerging opportunities in climate action and translated them into strategic grantmaking decisions

3

Demonstrate your interdisciplinary knowledge by mentioning projects or experience that span multiple climate domains listed in requirements

4

Research SHIP (Strategic Horizons in Philanthropy) initiatives and reference how your approach aligns with their methodology

5

Show understanding of AGCI's 30-year legacy by connecting your experience to their long-term, systems-based approach to change

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience managing large-scale grantmaking portfolios in climate/environmental sectors with specific metrics and outcomes', "Examples of how you've identified emerging opportunities and developed strategic recommendations that led to measurable impact", 'Your ability to work in coalition environments and facilitate collaborative strategy development across diverse stakeholders', 'How your interdisciplinary knowledge across climate domains positions you to assess portfolio-level impact holistically']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → AGCI's specific research initiatives and publications from the last 2-3 years to understand their current focus areas
  • → SHIP's existing portfolio and public reports to identify current strategic priorities and gaps
  • → AGCI's organizational structure and how SHIP fits within their broader mission and programs
  • → Key coalition partners and working groups mentioned in AGCI's materials to understand stakeholder landscape
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would assess the current SHIP portfolio and identify gaps or emerging opportunities for maximum impact
2 Describe a time you developed strategic recommendations for a grantmaking portfolio that required balancing multiple climate action domains
3 How do you maintain portfolio-level perspective while managing detailed analyses of individual grants or initiatives?
4 What metrics and frameworks would you use to assess progress and recommend adjustments in a dynamic climate funding environment?
5 How would you approach collaborating with coalition working groups that may have differing priorities or perspectives?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on one climate domain (like mitigation) without demonstrating breadth across all mentioned areas
  • Presenting generic portfolio management experience without specific climate/grantmaking context
  • Emphasizing individual achievement over coalition/collaborative work experience

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Aspen Global Change Institute!

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