About the Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.
About Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
One of four pillars at the Milken Institute, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy advises individuals, corporations, and foundations on the most strategic ways to ensure their philanthropic investments make an equitable, transformative impact, and offers tools and recommendations for making philanthropy more effective. Since its launch in 2015, the pillar has influenced more than $3.1 billion of philanthropic capital. In addition to in-depth research, reports, and guides, we design and build programs including funding initiatives, research collaboratives, large-scale innovation programs, and high-level events. Finally, we foster peer learning communities to accelerate knowledge-sharing and promote partnership. Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy’s three portfolio of programmatic work include SPARC (Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration), Environmental & Social Innovation (ESI), and Philanthropy Leadership Collective (PLC).
About the Positions
The Environmental & Social Innovation (ESI) portfolio’s Social Innovation team focuses on identifying and supporting new cross-sector solutions for pressing social and environmental needs, leading to improved systems, capabilities, and outcomes for the benefit of society.
The MI Strategic Philanthropy is looking for an energetic, detail-oriented early career professional with excellent research, writing, and organizational skills to join our team as an Associate in our Social Innovation portfolio. We are looking for an Associate who will provide programmatic support to the team to move forward core initiatives in transformative prize philanthropy. An entrepreneurial Associate has the potential to play an important role in executing Milken Institute’s social innovation portfolio.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with project leads to support various social impact projects in our portfolio which include, but are not limited to, those in the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program;
- Lead administrative support for the portfolio, including performing quality control and supporting project management across projects;
- Conduct rigorous research and analysis; leveraging frameworks to evaluate market landscapes, identify key challenges and opportunities, and develop data-driven recommendations that enhance overall impact, ensuring alignment with industry trends, stakeholder needs, and strategic objectives.
- Support activities including coordinating meetings, preparing materials, note-taking, updating website language, conducting specific analysis as requested, etc.; and,
- Contribute to communications, thought leadership, and events and convenings related to transformative social innovation.
- Duties as Assigned.
Qualifications
Professional Qualifications
- 1-3+ years of full-time work experience;
- High intellectual capacity that can be and has been applied to learning new areas of technological innovation, global philanthropy, and related fields;
- Experience in innovation or technology is a plus; and
- Facility in navigating data-based research resources is a plus.
Personal Qualities
- Detail-oriented self-starter with the ability to drive forward projects and troubleshoot issues;
- Ability to track and manage multiple and sometimes competing tasks and projects;
- Ability to stay cool under pressure, and give and receive feedback constructively;
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate; and
- Personal attitude that includes being entrepreneurial, collaborative, action-oriented, flexible, positive, problem-solving, and willing to adapt to changing situations.
Academic Qualifications and Technical Skills
- Undergraduate degree required, Master’s degree preferred;
- Strong and proven research, writing and communications skills, including the ability to communicate complex topics in a clear manner; and
- High level of computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office suite, WordPress and other web-based communications tools
Working Conditions & Travel Requirements
This position will work in a professional office environment. This person may be required to travel occasionally to local venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.
Note
We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
This position will work a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion.
The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Our Culture
The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
- Fertility Support
- Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
- Pet Insurance Discount
- Training & Development:
- LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered
- Annual Mentor Program
- Wellness Resources:
- Employee Assistance Program
- CALM app membership