Manager, Museum Programming

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. The public-facing portion of this renovation will be the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Components of the new museum will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard.

This position sits within the Campus and Experiences division, and is responsible for creating ticketed and free experiences at the Museum of Exploration that engage local and global audiences, showcase National Geographic Explorers, and highlight the Museum’s exhibitions and collections. In addition to enriching the on-campus guest experience, the division currently manages two other Public Programming business lines: the National Geographic Live touring speaker series, which brings Explorer-led storytelling to performing arts venues worldwide, and the Speakers Bureau, which provides compelling speakers for private engagements around the globe. These programs are designed to advance the Society’s mission by deepening public understanding of science, exploration, and storytelling, while driving sustainable revenue for the organization.

The Manager will report to the Director, Museum Programming, focusing on the logistical, operational, and production elements of both free and ticketed events.

Your Impact

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

Program Development & Curation (30%)

• Develop and advance a year-round slate of public programs for the Museum of Exploration, including but not limited to: lectures, workshops, tours, family days, performances, film screenings, and community festivals while aligning with the Society’s mission and strategic goals.

• Collaborate with internal teams and National Geographic Explorers to develop compelling program content and themes accessible and inspiring for a variety of audiences.

• Work closely with the Education division to develop and implement museum education programs
   

Event Production & Management (40%)

• Manage the end-to-end advancement of assigned programs, including planning, staffing, logistics, ticketing, and vendor coordination.

• Maintain and optimize program budgets to ensure cost-effective execution while meeting revenue and impact goals.

• Ensure a high-quality guest experience through thoughtful program design, considerations specific to audience age, and attention to detail.

• Coordinate with internal departments (A/V, Facilities, Security, Marketing) to ensure seamless execution of events.

• Develop marketing materials in collaboration with the Marketing team to support successful event attendance 

Strategy, Evaluation & Impact (20%)

• Develop programs that achieve annual revenue/attendance targets.

• Track key performance metrics (attendance, revenue, guest feedback, educational outcomes) and use data to iterate and improve on programming.

• In collaboration with the Director, help to develop and implement departmental processes and best practices 

• Support the scaling of successful programs for touring or virtual formats.

• Work with the Advancement team to support event sponsorship, including providing, assets and logistics support as needed

Management (10%)

• Contribute to a strong team culture, focused on creativity, teamwork, innovation, and service of the overall National Geographic mission

• Manager the work of the Family & Educational Programming Event Specialist, providing guidance, support, and day-to-day supervision to ensure successful planning and delivery of events.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree preferred 

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

5+ years of experience in public programming, event management, or performing arts curation with a strong emphasis on developing and delivering programs. 

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

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