Director, Strategic Partnerships (Education and Community Engagement)

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 and Community Engagement (ECE) division serves this mission by amplifying and extending the work of NGS explorers into classrooms and communities, helping educators and learners of all ages develop an Explorer Mindset and inspiring them to learn about, care for, and protect our world. The division 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.

In partnership with researchers, educators, community leaders and learners of all ages, National Geographic’s ECE division works at the nexus of science and storytelling to push the boundaries of research and practice to improve scientific outcomes, drive new knowledge, and spark the attitudinal and behavioral shifts necessary for sustainable and resilient, longer-term conservation efforts.

To accomplish its goals and to extend reach and impact, the ECE division 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 immersive learning experiences and opportunities to connect with Explorers. These educational resources and experiences showcase a multiplicity of perspectives and are accessible on a continuum of no-low-high tech capacities at scale across the globe.

Reporting to and in collaboration with the Senior Director, Endowments, Explorer-Led Programs, and Grants, the Director, Strategic Partnerships leads strategy development and implementation to leverage education endowments to extend the impact of National Geographic’s mission in your region and across the Strategic Partnerships portfolio.The Director implements high-impact initiatives that extend the reach of the Society’s mission into classrooms and communities, inspire learners’ curiosity and support learners of all ages to take action in their communities, and advance knowledge of geography education and effective learning solution design. The region consists of the Western portion of the United States of America, and possibly Canada. Occasional travel is required throughout the region and additional travel may also be required throughout the United States.

The Director develops multi-year plans, goals, metrics, and budgets around key initiatives. This role promotes a culture of collaboration, communication, transparency and continuous improvement, and supports the development of team talent. This role develops strong working relationships with other National Geographic Society divisions, National Geographic Partners, and representatives of external organizations to maximize program impact and reach.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Strategy Development and Implementation: (20%)

• Collaborates with the Senior Director, Endowments, Explorer-led Programs, and Grants and other Directors, Strategic Partnerships to lead strategic planning for leveraging the education endowments to ensure maximum impact and alignment with donor intent and NGS strategic priorities, as well as for assessing and communicating the impact.

• Develops and implements strategic plans for your region to maximize the effectiveness of education endowments based on state & regional needs, impact assessments, and strategic goals, and collaborates with colleagues to ensure strategic alignment across the Strategic Partnerships portfolio.

• Contributes to continuous learning, evaluation, and feedback of NGS programs and partnerships, using findings and educators and youth needs to inform ongoing impact and reach strategy.

• Serve as a thought partner to Senior Director, Endowments, Explorer-Led Programs, and Grants in the design of strategic priorities and vision for education funding opportunities, including endowments, grants, and funding for Explorer-led programs.

Partnerships & Endowment Management (50%)

• Identifies, cultivates, and manages strategic partnerships throughout the U.S. and select international regions with select private and public organizations, nonprofits, and educator and youth networks as implementation partners to extend the reach and impact of existing programs and test new initiatives to reach new and existing audiences.

• Stewards’ education endowments within and across several states to ensure maximum impact and alignment with donor intent and National Geographic strategic priorities.

• Convenes advisory groups at the state or regional level to provide strategic insight on programming plans.

• Manages the development and implementation of multi-year goals, project plans, and budgets, working with operational support staff and liaising with other divisions when needed.

• Oversight of all metrics, evaluation, reporting, and impact storytelling in your region, including working with operational support staff as needed to monitor reporting and deliverables, evaluate reports and impact data, and communicate impact.

• Co-lead the development and execution of pilot initiatives and targeted funding opportunities (e.g. Requests for Proposals).

Team, Divisional, and Organizational Collaboration (30%)

• Represents the Education and Community Engagement division at meetings with other NGS divisions, NG Partners divisions, and external organizations on topics related to the Strategic Partnerships Director role and/or divisional priorities.

• Develops strong working relationships across the Education and Community Engagement division and other NGS divisions to integrate education and community engagement into the larger organizational strategy for optimum impact.

• Support efforts to raise revenue through philanthropy, grants and other initiatives.

• Support divisional and Society priorities as needed (e.g. leading or participating in working groups, divisional initiatives; representing the division in cross-organizational initiatives, etc.)

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in education, policy, management or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

10+ years of work experience in education and/or nonprofit sectors, including a minimum of five years of senior management experience.

Strong knowledge of the education landscape in the US with demonstrated experience building partnerships and facilitating collaboration across sectors and organizations.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of the education sector and promising trends and opportunities to extend our reach and impact, with a focus on classroom, informal, and/or community education in North America.

• Experience building strategic partnerships with external organizations and individuals that drive reach and impact.

• Proven record of working collaboratively across a broad range of stakeholders to achieve strategic goals.

• Ability to build and maintain complex relationships.

• Solutions-driven approach with an ability to set ambitious goals, lead complex projects, and manage others and resources efficiently.

• Possess strong project management and communication skills and the ability to work on multiple projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Ability to successfully navigate a large, heavily matrixed organization.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Clearly communicate with stakeholders orally and in writing, including experience speaking in front of audiences of all sizes.
  

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with and commitment to centering equity and inclusivity in their work and ways of working.

• Experience in program impact measurement and evaluation.

• Experience in impact storytelling and communicating impact in effective and creative ways.

• Experience creating and/or refining operational systems and processes.

• Comfort with Salesforce or similar platforms, skill in using Google Suite and Microsoft Office tools, including Excel.

Supervision

No Direct Reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $139,650.00 - $147,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Remote - Our Remote designation includes staff who must work in another location in the U.S. or abroad, such as our regional leads for our Education and International teams or regional fundraisers in Advancement. Staff may also be designated as Remote by their supervisors (with approval by the Senior Team lead) because of their job duties, and are afforded this status when it is beneficial to NGS, their respective team, and the employee.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

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.