Director, Education Programs Jobs

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society is an impact-driven global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. The Education department serves this mission by amplifying and extending the work of NGS Explorers into classrooms and communities, helping educators and young people develop an Explorer Mindset and inspiring them to learn about, care for, and protect our world. The department seeks to help the world understand the importance of geography - seeing the connections, interdependencies, and patterns that shape human and natural systems on our planet.

To accomplish its goals and to extend its reach and impact, the Education Department cultivates strategic partnerships; manages education-focused endowments, fellowships and grants; creates and disseminates education content and programs for Explorers and a K-16 audience domestically and internationally; connects Explorers to classrooms and communities; and engages youth in the mission by building Explorer-focused innovative, co-curricular opportunities. Building upon the Society’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, these educational resources and experiences elevate missing voices, bring a multiplicity of perspectives, and are accessible on a continuum of no-low-high tech capacities at scale across the globe.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategic Insights and Funding Opportunities, the Director, Education Programs leads strategy development and execution for high-impact initiatives related to the Education funding opportunities portfolio and higher education initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to, setting the strategic direction for higher education recruitment focused on research and innovation, managing a portfolio of Explorer-led programs, and evaluating and recommending education grants and funding opportunities.

Success in this role requires a proactive and collaborative mindset, with the ability to both develop and tactically operationalize strategy, manage complex relationships with internal and external stakeholders, employ analytical and evaluation skills, and make data-informed decisions aligned with the Society’s strategic mission.

Your Impact

Your Impact

Responsibilities

Strategy, Program Development, and Implementation (25%)

• Using their experience and subject matter expertise in the higher education and education research space, the Director understands the relevant field(s) of the scholarly education practice and innovation, stays networked and informed on emerging trends, and scans for opportunities in the education grants portfolio.
• Recruit potential Explorers and related projects through domestic and international professional conferences, meetings, and special events.
• Contribute to continuous learning, evaluation, and feedback of the Education grants portfolio, using findings to inform improvement and future investment.
• Working closely with the Sr Director, Strategic Insights and Funding Opportunities, the Director leads strategy development and tactical execution for expanding the education grants portfolio into the higher education, career-based skill development, research, and innovation space in line with the Society’s strategic vision.
• Serve as a thought partner as we implement NGS’s DEI Guiding Principles and globally inclusive learning design principles, particularly as they relate to engaging with underrepresented groups as part of the education grants recruitment strategy.

Program Management (55%)

• Advise on Explorer integration into NG media projects and activities, and provide internal expertise and content for related activities.
• Support Senior Program Officer in the evaluation and recommendation of funding opportunities (grants and Explorer-led programs).
• Communicate with Explorers to stay apprised of new discoveries, high profile academic publications, and/or media-friendly results that should be elevated.
• Act as primary contact for Explorers leading the Society’s larger investment programs, and serve as an internal expert on those projects, including understanding the context in which they occur, and coordinating collaborations to support Explorers’ work across the Society.

Team, Divisional, and Organizational Collaboration (20%)

• Represent Education at meetings with other NGS divisions, NG media divisions, and outside funders/entities.
• Serve as an external representative of NGS, interfacing with representatives from partner and peer organizations.
• Develop and maintain strong, positive, and collaborative working relationships with other NGS divisions and external teams to maximize impact and reach.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in education, social science, environmental science, or related field required. Master’s or Ph.D. desired.

Minimum Years And Type Of Experience

10+ years of experience in the higher education, education research, or innovation space. Experience in higher education grantmaking or other fundraising activities is a plus.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Strong attention to detail.
• Subject matter expertise in higher education, education research, and innovation within the U.S. and internationally.
• Clearly communicate with stakeholders orally and in writing, including experience speaking in front of audiences of all sizes.
• Proven success managing multiple projects, with different timelines and changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build and maintain complex relationships.
• Experience collaboratively developing program strategy and then operationalizing strategy and monitoring success.
• Ability to successfully navigate a large, heavily matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams that span organizations and cultures, and internally within a diverse and dynamic institution.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a systems-thinking approach to solution-finding.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in grantmaking or other fundraising activities, particularly within higher education.
• Comfort with Salesforce or similar grants management platforms, skill in using Google Suite and Microsoft Office tools, including Excel. High level technology skills, especially related to grants database management.

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

As a leading nonprofit organization, National Geographic Society offers competitive salary and total rewards to attract, develop, and retain an innovative and dynamic workforce.

The salary range for this position starts at $130,000

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if they prefer.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.