Sr. Director, Philanthropic Foundations

National Geographic; United States; Hybrid; USD 166,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits including medical,

401(k) with matching

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

National Geographic Society seeks a Senior Director, Philanthropic Foundations to lead the Philanthropic Foundations Team. You will define strategy, oversee high‑level foundation partnerships, and drive revenue and impact for the Society’s programs.

Reporting to the Vice President, Institutional Partnerships, you will manage multiple priorities, coach a 3+‑person team, and cultivate senior funder relationships.

Qualifications

• Strategic vision and plan for institutional/philanthropic partnerships.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Track record of securing multi‑million‑dollar foundation grants (7–8 figures).
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing multiple high‑value partnerships simultaneously.
• Ability to translate technical content into donor materials.
• Strong collaboration across programmatic, financial, and operational teams.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Proficiency with grant management tools and CRMs.
• Detail‑oriented and deadline‑driven.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic vision and execution plan for securing foundation partnerships.
• Lead major foundation cultivation, proposal development, and budget creation with cross‑team coordination.
• Oversee full lifecycle of partnership development and stewardship for a portfolio of grants.
• Lead the Philanthropic Foundations team in proposals, budgets, timelines, and deliverables; negotiate grants with Finance and Legal.
• Provide strategic counsel on renewals, new initiatives, and growth opportunities.

Skills

Strategic vision

Leadership

Grant acquisition

Communication

Project management

Stakeholder collaboration

Organizational skills

Grant management tools

CRM systems

Education

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Grant management tools

CRM systems

Job description

How You’ll Contribute

The Advancement team cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, as well as foundation, government, and corporate funders who invest in the Society to drive impact through its work in science, technology, education, exploration, and storytelling. The team collaborates across the Society to build transformative and impact-driven strategic relationships. It also produces global events that deepen connections and leverage the Society’s power to convene, and directs robust annual, major, and planned giving programs, empowering the Society with a broad base of public support.

In 2025, the Advancement team established a new Institutional Partnerships division tasked with building a comprehensive portfolio of strategic partners focused on driving significant revenue and impact for the Society. This division encompasses three core areas: Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropic Foundation Partnerships, and Government Partnerships. Reporting to the Vice President, Institutional Partnerships, and working collaboratively across the National Geographic Society, the Senior Director, Philanthropic Foundations will lead the development and management of the Philanthropic Foundations Team. This new leadership role will define and implement a strategic vision, planning framework, and sector targets that position foundation partnerships as a core driver of both revenue and impact for the Society’s programs and initiatives. The incumbent will spearhead high-level engagement with foundation partners, guide team strategy and performance, and serve as a visible leader representing the National Geographic Society externally and across the institutional landscape.

The ideal candidate will bring proven strategic and people leadership, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to navigate a complex organization with diplomacy and decisiveness. They will inspire a high-performing team, foster collaboration across departments, and cultivate impactful relationships with senior leaders and foundation executives to advance the Society’s mission.

The Senior Director must demonstrate exceptional initiative, judgment, and leadership maturity, balancing strategic oversight with hands‑on execution. This individual will lead multiple projects and direct reports simultaneously while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence. They will engage directly with senior Society leadership and external partners at all levels to advance institutional priorities, ensure funder satisfaction, and uphold the highest standards of partnership management.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

• Develop and implement strategic vision and execution plan for securing impact-driven, philanthropic foundation partnerships that advance the Society’s mission and programs. (20%)
• Lead cultivation and solicitation of major foundation partnerships, overseeing strategy, proposal development, deliverables, and budget creation in close coordination with Advancement and Program teams. Respond promptly and strategically to partner feedback, escalating issues as appropriate to leadership. (40%)
• Provide strategic leadership and cross‑departmental coordination to identify, cultivate, and secure transformative foundation partnerships. Oversee the full lifecycle of partnership development, from prospecting and proposal development to negotiation and stewardship. Manage a portfolio of complex, high‑value grants supporting Society programs, collaborating closely with program leads and executive leadership. Serve as a senior leader within the organization to elevate the visibility, value, and rigor of philanthropic foundation partnerships. (20%)
• Lead the Philanthropic Foundations team in developing actionable solicitation strategies, draft proposals, budgets, timelines, and deliverables. Oversee budget preparation and grant term negotiation in coordination with Finance and Legal. Partner with the Grants Manager to ensure exceptional stewardship of all open grants, including reporting, expenditure tracking, and site visits. Collaborate with Advancement Operations to support identifying and prioritizing new foundation opportunities and align them with institutional goals. Provide strategic counsel to team members on renewals, new initiatives, and long‑term growth opportunities. (20%)
• Other areas as required.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Master’s degree preferred

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

12+ years of experience in a nonprofit or business development environment, with demonstrated success leading matrixed teams and creating and executing strategic growth plans.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated experience shaping and executing a strategic vision and plan for institutional or philanthropic partnerships.
• Proven leadership and team management experience, including coaching and development of high‑performing staff.
• Track record of securing significant multi‑million‑dollar foundation grants (seven‑ and eight‑figure preferred).
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Experience managing multiple, high‑value partnerships simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to translate technical and programmatic content into compelling donor materials.
• Strong collaboration skills; adept at working across programmatic, financial, and operational teams.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Proficiency with grant management tools, CRM systems, and related technologies.
• Highly detail‑oriented, deadline‑driven, and capable of managing competing priorities.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in science, environmental, conservation, or education‑related nonprofit sectors is a plus.

Supervision

3+ 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 $166,250.00 - $175,000.00.

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.