Senior Director, Educator Experiences

About the Organization

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing science, exploration, education, and storytelling to foster appreciation and protection of our planet. The Education and Community Engagement (ECE) division supports this mission by extending the work of NGS explorers into educational settings and communities worldwide, inspiring learners and educators to adopt an Explorer Mindset and care for the Earth. The division emphasizes the understanding of geography as a framework for connecting human and natural systems.

Role Overview and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Deputy to the Chief Education and Community Engagement Officer/VP, this leadership role directs the design and management of immersive educational experiences focused on educators. The Senior Director, Educator Experiences, guides strategic planning and execution of professional learning, leadership development, and resource creation aimed at enhancing educator engagement. This position also supervises all immersive programs supporting ECE's educator portfolio.

Key duties include collaborating closely within the Society and with external partners to develop multi-year plans, establish measurable goals and budgets, and ensure impactful program delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on educator experience initiatives.
• Lead the development and implementation of educator experience strategies aligned with organizational goals and evidence-based educational practices.
• Design innovative educational programs and experiences tailored for educators, ensuring cultural relevance, equity, and accessibility.
• Oversee large-scale educator programs, managing budgets, timelines, and outcomes effectively.
• Utilize research and data to evaluate and enhance program quality and impact continuously.
• Manage, mentor, and guide a high-performing team including instructional designers and subject matter experts.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with funders, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.
• Support fundraising efforts including grants and philanthropy aligned with educator initiatives.
• Collaborate across divisions within the Society and with external organizations to maximize reach and impact.
• Participate in cross-functional groups as the subject matter expert for educator experience strategies.

Qualifications

Education: A master’s degree is required, preferably a Ph.D., with content expertise in disciplines such as Social Studies, History, Geography, Environmental Science, Earth Science, or English Language Arts.

Experience: At least 10 years of relevant experience in education sectors including K-12 education, professional development, adult learning, instructional design, or educator engagement, plus a minimum of 3 years in a management role.

Skills and Knowledge:

• In-depth understanding of K-12 and higher education pedagogical methods and evidence-based practices.
• Proven leadership and management capabilities within complex organizational structures.
• Excellent communication proficiency, both oral and written, across diverse audiences.
• Strong project management skills demonstrated by successful delivery of complex initiatives on schedule and budget.
• Ability to prioritize and adapt to multiple projects in a dynamic environment.
• Creative and solution-focused aptitude for building partnerships and collaborations.

Desired Attributes:

• Experience with education program design by objectives.
• Strategic planning, goal setting, and performance reporting skills.
• Familiarity with digital learning tools and educational technology (EdTech).
• High attention to detail and follow-through demonstrated by effective project oversight.
• Strong ethical standards, diplomacy, and tact.
• Collaborative mindset across diverse and cross-cultural teams.
• Proven track record in securing and managing grant funding.

Management

This role directly supervises 6 to 7 staff members.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary range of $156,750 to $165,000 annually. The organization provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision coverage; wellness programs; retirement plan with employer matching; flexible paid time off including sick leave and holidays; parental and adoption leave; fertility and surrogacy support; professional development opportunities; lifestyle spending account; pet insurance and adoption assistance; transportation benefits; life insurance and disability coverage; and various staff discounts.

Work Arrangement

The role is based in Washington, DC with a hybrid work model requiring presence at the Society's headquarters two days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays), with flexibility for additional onsite days.

Additional Information

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available. The employer encourages applications even if candidates do not meet every qualification precisely, valuing relevant experience and skills for organizational growth.