Senior Director, EDULab (Education & 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.

The Senior Director, EDULab will lead the team in infusing the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of NGS Explorers and their work into learning design solutions that help Explorers amplify their educational impact, and inspire educators, young people and global learning communities to take action to protect the wonder of our world. The EDULab works with and through the Education & Community Engagement division to serve Explorers, and through Explorers educators and strategic collaborators. The Senior Director manages and implements the strategic vision for EDULab within the context of the ECE division’s learning content strategy, meeting the needs of a range of audiences who partner or collaborate with the Society.

This role reports to the VP, Content Dissemination & Explorer Experience, and supports ECE’s content strategy by providing robust consultative services and partnerships with NG Explorers and ideation and production of high quality, accessible, and potentially scalable learning solutions . The Senior Director leads the EDULab team toward developing and disseminating the unique value NGS brings to the education field – Explorer-led content, immersive learning experiences, and a deep commitment to the agency of young people, educators, and global learning communities to take informed action on behalf of the planet. The Senior Director must maintain strong, collaborative, integrated working relationships within the ECE division under the leadership of the VP, with Explorers, other NGS divisions, and where appropriate external stakeholders to maximize the impact of the ECE division’s work in service to the mission and vision of the Society.

Your Impact

Please note that submission of a cover letter is required.

Program Strategy and Development: (30%)

• Leads and runs the NGS EDULab in close partnership with the VP, Content Dissemination & Explorer Experience, ensuring that the Lab works in support of Explorer-led and Explorer centered programs. Implements relevant processes, methods, and high impact initiatives, in coordination with leadership. Provides partnership and support to Explorer projects, ECE strategic initiatives, and internal and external audiences in alignment with ECE’s tiered service model and intake process.

• Utilizes ECE’s’s Learning Design for Global Impact (LDGI) approach to ensure ideation, launch, testing and feedback while identifying and following promising practices.

Program Management: (20%)

• At the direction of the VP, provides direction and progress monitoring for EDULab team initiatives in support of ECE strategy and Explorer projects.

• Facilitates product ideation, operationalization of consultative services for Explorers, in alignment with cross-division work within ECE and the Society more broadly.

• Supports ECE content strategy, focusing cycles for continuous improvement testing, impact research, monitoring and evaluation and scale where appropriate.

• Contributes to the design and implementation of EDULab budgets and deliverables.

Skills Concentration: (25%)

• Ideates and collaborates on the development and use of Explorer-focused resources across ECE and key collaborators Includes accessing strong field-based geographic, innovative education technology, content delivery, and immersive learning experts to ensure ECE delivers on media rich innovative and accessible learning.

Team, Divisional and Organizational Collaboration: (25%)

• Manages and mentors a high functioning team of 6 programmatic staff. In alignment with VP, leads integrated and collaborative working relationships with other NGS divisions and external teams including strong relationships with the other programmatic areas and Labs.

• Ensures education and community engagement opportunities are integrated into other NGS processes such as capacity development support for Explorers, grant and grantee options and opportunities, and use of Explorer’s work in educational and community resources.

• In alignment with VP, works to ensure dissemination, platform development, testing and evaluation, and full integration of ECE products and services.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in Education technology, Learning Design Solutions, Geography, Science, Social Science, Education, English, Communications, Journalism or related field required.

Master’s degree in Education Technology, Education, English, Communications, Learning Design, Global Education, Educational Leadership, Geography, Environmental Science, History, or similar field strongly preferred.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

12+ years of experience in education, educational leadership or systems, learning design, professional development, curriculum writing and design, or similar. 5+ years of management experience.

The ideal candidate will have a background in Ed Tech or similar experience to lead a team of learning design professionals.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of educational systems, systems change, global education, strategy to action, teaching and learning.

• Experience designing innovative education content and curriculum using inclusive design principles.

• Experience in continuous improvement, impact research, and evaluation.

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

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

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

• Ability to dive deeply into the technical requirements and details of relationship management at all levels along with taking direction for execution of a set strategy.

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

• Familiarity with understanding target audiences and integrating user requirements to maximize tool usefulness in learning settings.

• Experience in K-16 education--formal and informal teaching and learning.

• Related project or program management experience.

• Experience in writing, publishing, instructional design, curriculum development or related fields preferred.

Supervision

5+ 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.