Senior Specialist- 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 wonders of our world. The division 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 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.

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 Explorer-focused innovative, co-curricular opportunities. 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 Vice President of Education and Community Engagement (VPECE), the Senior Specialist plans, implements and executes community engagement initiatives. This will include collaborating across the Society and ECE in implementing programming and initiatives for Explorers, staff, the K-12 and higher education communities, and the local DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DC metro) communities. In collaboration with the VPECE, the Senior Specialist will also support managing the Society's accessibility efforts. In this role, you will work with the VPECE, the Community Engagement team, the ECE division and Society collaborators to embed community engagement and accessibility as strategic priorities across the National Geographic Society.

The successful candidate will have previous experience implementing community engagement or community outreach initiatives, thrive in managing multiple projects, event planning, communicating effectively, and collaborating with constituencies. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

Your Impact

Your Impact 

Responsibilities Include 

• Strategy and Development (20%):

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the goals of the organization, overarching NGS strategy, education programs, and critical metrics across the organization.

  • Under the guidance of the VPECE, contributes to the development and implementation of high-impact initiatives across the Education and Community Engagement portfolio.  

  • Under the guidance of the VPECE, contributes to the planning and implementation of the organization’s accessibility efforts. 
     

• Program Management (65%): 

  • Provides specialized knowledge, depth, and expertise across the Community Engagement portfolio under the direction of VPECE. 

    • Planning, executing and management of community engagement programming: In collaboration with the VPECE, lead the strategic design, planning, and delivery of community engagement programming. Oversee presenter engagement and preparation to ensure alignment with program goals. Develop program frameworks, run-of-show materials, and engagement protocols that model best practices in inclusive convening. Direct event registration strategies, participant communications, and post-event engagement to ensure seamless and impactful experiences. Provide strategic oversight of staff and Explorer travel logistics, including visa coordination, per diem distribution, and accessibility or dependent care support, in collaboration with travel and operations partners. Serving as point of contact for inquiries and coordination, planning, and logistical management support of attendees, Explorers, and community partners to include registration, communication, and travel and lodging. 
       

    • Planning, executing and management of accessibility working group: In collaboration with the VPECE, manage the Accessibility Working Group (AWG), including scheduling, setting agendas, documenting meeting minutes, tracking attendance, and ensuring timely follow-up on action items. Develop and maintain the AWG's project roadmap, tracking progress against established goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to accessibility. Assist in coordinating an