Senior Director, Educator Experiences (Education)

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 Education and Community Engagement 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 Education and Community Engagement 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 the Deputy to the Chief Education and Community Engagement Officer and Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Grants, and Educator Initiatives, the Senior Director, Educator Experiences leads the creation, refinement, and strategic management of high-impact immersive experiences that engage educators in our mission and lead then to cultivate an Explorer Mindset in themselves and their learners. This role will focus on programs designed specifically for educators, including professional learning, leadership capacity building, and resource creation. The Sr. Director will also have oversight over all immersive programs that support the ECE’s educator experience portfolio.

Working closely with the Deputy/VP, direct reports, and staff across ECE and the Society, the Sr. Director develops multi-year plans, goals, metrics and budgets to support educator initiatives and is accountable for performance and results. This position develops strong working relationships with other National Geographic Society divisions, National Geographic partners and collaborators, and representatives of outside funders/entities to maximize program impact and reach.

Your Impact

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Strategy Design, Development and Implementation: (40%)

• Serves as a thought partner to the Deputy to the Chief Education and Community Engagement Officer/VP, Strategic Partnerships, Grants, and Educator Experiences.

• Oversees the development and implementation of the Educator Experience strategy.

• Lead the conceptualization and design of new high quality educational initiatives, programs, and experiences for educators, aligning them with ECE strategic goals, Society goals and current educational evidence-based practices.

• Develop and maintain a strategic roadmap for program improvement, expansion or enhancement.

• In collaboration with ECE Operations, contributes to continuous learning, evaluation, and feedback of educational resources, content, and programs related to the NGS Educator Experience to measure effectiveness of the Educator Experience.

• Provides strategic consultations in support of the Educator Experience strategy and key initiatives.

Program Design, Delivery, and Management: (35%)

• Provides oversight over innovative, large-scale educator initiatives to meet and achieve outputs, outcomes, and impacts within stated timeframes and budgets.

• Utilize data and research findings to continuously improve existing programs and inform the design of new ones.

• Establishes rigorous quality standards and procedures for all program and content delivery methods to ensure fairness and maintain brand integrity.

• Ensures all programs are culturally relevant, equitable, and accessible to a diverse audience of educators and learners.

• Manages a high-functioning team tasked with executing high-impact programs and projects.

• Identifies, cultivates, and manages programmatic partnerships, including funders and implementation partners, and high-impact communities and stakeholders to support initiatives and maximize impact.

• Supports efforts to raise revenue through philanthropy, grants, and other revenue-generating activities.

Team, Divisional and Organizational Leadership and Collaboration: (25%)

• Develops strong working relationships with ECE colleagues, other NGS divisions, the Museum of Exploration (the MOE) and external teams to maximize program impact and reach of educators.

• Promotes a culture of collaboration, transparency, and growth within ECE and across NGS.

• Leads, mentors and guides program development teams, including instructional designers, subject matter experts, and content developers, and a high functioning staff to achieve strategic objectives.

• Engages with external educational partners, institutions, and regulatory bodies to ensure programs meet industry standards and address pressing needs in the field.

• Serves on internal cross-Society workgroups as the primary subject matter expert in meetings and external engagements related to the educator experience program strategy.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Master’s degree required and Ph.D. degree preferred. Content knowledge in Social Studies, History, Geography, Environmental Science, Earth Science, or English Language Arts desired.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

10+ related experience in any of the following: K-12 education, professional development, educational program design and implementation, adult education, learning science, instructional design, educator engagement. 3+ years of management experience.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Deep knowledge and/or experience working with K-12 educators, adult learners, designing and implementing educator-facing learning experiences, engaging educator leaders, and co-designing with educators.

• Deep understanding of current K-12 and/or Higher Education pedagogical approaches and evidence-based practices.

• Experience and excellence in leadership and management in complex, matrixed organizations.

• Highly developed oral and written communication skills and ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and deliver high-quality programs on time and within budget.

• Ability to work on multiple projects, under deadlines, with changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced, environment.

• A creative, solutions-oriented approach to building mutually beneficial partnerships.

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in education or management by objective program design.

• Ability to plan strategically and creatively, set and articulate goals, and report on performance.

• Experience working with digital learning platforms and educational technology (EdTech).

• Excellent attention to detail and follow through as demonstrated through effective project management experience

• Reputation for high ethical standards and integrity, displaying diplomacy and tact in difficult or sensitive situations.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams that span organizations and cultures, and internally within a diverse and dynamic institution.

• Experience in securing and managing grant funding for educational initiatives.

Supervision

6-7 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 $156,750.00 - $165,000.00.

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

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 preferred.

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.