National Geographic Society
Manager, Museum Programming
National Geographic Society, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Join to apply for the
Manager, Museum Programming
role at
National Geographic Society
Overview The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (Base Camp) to be completed in 2026. The new National Geographic Museum of Exploration will include a pavilion entrance, auditorium, photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive experiences, retail, food and beverage, an education center, archives, tours, and event space, with a nighttime courtyard experience as a capstone. 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. The division also manages the National Geographic Live touring speaker series and the Speakers Bureau to support the Society’s mission while driving sustainable revenue.
The Manager will report to the Director, Museum Programming, focusing on the logistical, operational, and production elements of both free and ticketed events.
Responsibilities
Program Development & Curation (30%)
Develop and advance a year-round slate of public programs for the Museum of Exploration, including 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 National Geographic mission
Manage 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
Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder public events from concept to execution.
A passion for science, exploration, culture, or the arts, with the ability to translate complex topics into engaging experiences for children and families.
Experience working with speakers, artists, or content creators; familiarity with working with nonprofit or mission-based organizations a plus.
Effective written and oral communications skills
Proficiency Nonprofit Cloud, Monday.com, Google Office, Microsoft Office Suite, Keynote and ticketing software is desired
Astute attention to detail
Ability to manage competing priorities and multitask while under tight deadlines
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate well with all levels
Availability to attend evening and weekend events
Excellent organizational, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Desired Qualifications
Background in museum programming, performing arts, or educational events
Experience developing family or educational programs in close collaboration with Educational teams
Experience with revenue-generating public programs and/or grant-funded initiatives
Supervision 1+ direct report
Salary Information The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. The salary range for this position is
$80,700.00 - $85,000.00 . The organization provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; wellness program; 401(k) with matching after 6 months; flexible paid time off with up to 22 days per year; 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; and other discounts and perks. The salary and benefits reflect a broad set of factors including organizational need, skills, experience, and training.
Job Designation:
Resident
- Our Resident category recognizes on-site requirements at Base Camp. The days in the office are determined by team needs and workflow. Schedules may be adjusted throughout the year based on deadlines and workload.
Eligibility Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Additional Information Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries: Non-profit Organizations
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Manager, Museum Programming
role at
National Geographic Society
Overview The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (Base Camp) to be completed in 2026. The new National Geographic Museum of Exploration will include a pavilion entrance, auditorium, photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive experiences, retail, food and beverage, an education center, archives, tours, and event space, with a nighttime courtyard experience as a capstone. 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. The division also manages the National Geographic Live touring speaker series and the Speakers Bureau to support the Society’s mission while driving sustainable revenue.
The Manager will report to the Director, Museum Programming, focusing on the logistical, operational, and production elements of both free and ticketed events.
Responsibilities
Program Development & Curation (30%)
Develop and advance a year-round slate of public programs for the Museum of Exploration, including 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 National Geographic mission
Manage 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
Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder public events from concept to execution.
A passion for science, exploration, culture, or the arts, with the ability to translate complex topics into engaging experiences for children and families.
Experience working with speakers, artists, or content creators; familiarity with working with nonprofit or mission-based organizations a plus.
Effective written and oral communications skills
Proficiency Nonprofit Cloud, Monday.com, Google Office, Microsoft Office Suite, Keynote and ticketing software is desired
Astute attention to detail
Ability to manage competing priorities and multitask while under tight deadlines
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate well with all levels
Availability to attend evening and weekend events
Excellent organizational, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Desired Qualifications
Background in museum programming, performing arts, or educational events
Experience developing family or educational programs in close collaboration with Educational teams
Experience with revenue-generating public programs and/or grant-funded initiatives
Supervision 1+ direct report
Salary Information The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. The salary range for this position is
$80,700.00 - $85,000.00 . The organization provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; wellness program; 401(k) with matching after 6 months; flexible paid time off with up to 22 days per year; 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; and other discounts and perks. The salary and benefits reflect a broad set of factors including organizational need, skills, experience, and training.
Job Designation:
Resident
- Our Resident category recognizes on-site requirements at Base Camp. The days in the office are determined by team needs and workflow. Schedules may be adjusted throughout the year based on deadlines and workload.
Eligibility Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Additional Information Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries: Non-profit Organizations
#J-18808-Ljbffr