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National Geographic Society

Specialist, Events (Base Camp Programming)

National Geographic Society, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022

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Specialist, Events (Base Camp Programming) The Event Specialist will report to the Manager, Public Programming, collaborating on programming concepts and advancing the execution of all on-campus Public Programming Events.

Overview: The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. The public-facing portion of this renovation will be the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, featuring venues such as a pavilion entrance, auditorium, photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and a new event space. The capstone is a nighttime experience in the courtyard. The Public Programming team creates ticketed and free experiences at the Museum of Exploration to engage local and global audiences, showcase National Geographic Explorers, and highlight the Museum’s exhibitions and collections. The department also manages the National Geographic Live touring speaker series and the Speakers Bureau, serving as additional programs to deepen public understanding of science, exploration, and storytelling while driving sustainable revenue for the organization.

Responsibilities

Event Execution & Logistics (50%)

Support the end-to-end execution of public programs, including setup, on-site coordination, and breakdown.

Manage event logistics such as scheduling, vendor coordination, catering, and A/V support in collaboration with internal teams.

Serve as the primary point of contact during select events, ensuring smooth operations and an excellent guest experience.

Program Coordination & Administrative Support (30%)

Assist in program planning, content tracking, and production schedules across on-campus programs.

Coordinate communication with Explorers, speakers, and partners regarding program logistics, travel, and deliverables.

Maintain program documentation, run-of-show materials, CRM, and event databases.

Operations & Departmental Support (20%)

Help implement and maintain departmental processes and tools to improve programming workflows and consistency.

Track and process invoices, assist with budget monitoring, and manage event supplies and inventory.

Support cross-functional coordination with teams such as Advancement, Marketing, Facilities, and Guest Services.

What You'll Bring

Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Minimum Years And Type Of Experience: 3+ years of experience in event production, program coordination, or public programming.

Knowledge And Skills Required:

Passion for storytelling, science, exploration, and engaging the public through meaningful experiences

Experience working with speakers, artists, or content creators

Effective written and oral communications skills

Proficiency in 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

Availability to attend evening and weekend events

Excellent organizational, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills

Desired Qualifications: Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, or non-profit setting; interest in growing into a creative producer or programmer role over time.

Supervision No direct reports

Salary Information The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. The salary range for this position is $61,750.00 - $65,000.00.

The salary range accounts for a wide range of factors including organizational need, skill sets, experience, certifications, and more. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, holidays, parental leave, and other rewards as described by the employer policy.

Job Designation Resident – Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Schedule varies by role and team needs. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Application Note We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for relevant skills and experience and aim to grow a stronger, more inclusive organization.

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