National Geographic Society · 16 hours ago
Manager, Public Programming
Washington, DC
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$81K/yr - $85K/yr
5+ years expThe National Geographic Society is undergoing a significant renovation project and is opening the Museum of Exploration in 2026. The Manager of Public Programming will be responsible for creating engaging ticketed and free experiences, managing events, and collaborating with internal teams to enhance public understanding of science and exploration.
Non ProfitSocial ImpactWildlife Conservation
No H1B
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
Qualification
Required
5+ years of experience in public programming, event management, or performing arts curation with a strong emphasis on developing and delivering programs
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
Preferred
Bachelor's degree preferred
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
Benefits
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
A variety of National Geographic discounts and perks
Company
National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society has funded the best and brightest individuals dedicated to scientific discovery and understanding of our world.
Founded in 1888Washington, District of Columbia, USA
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$3.5MKey Investors
Principal FoundationAlfred P. Sloan Foundation
2025-11-12Grant· $0.5M
2012-01-01Grant· $1.5M
2008-01-01Grant· $1.5M
Leadership Team
Jill Tiefenthaler
Chief Executive Officer
Caroline Tippett
Vice President of Institutional Partnerships
Recent News
2026-01-20
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