Sr. Director, Philanthropic Foundations

National Geographic Society; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 166,250 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Flexible paid time off

Learning and development opportunities

Pet adoption assistance

National Geographic discounts

Job summary

The National Geographic Society in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Director, Philanthropic Foundations to lead the development and management of its Philanthropic Foundations Team. This role involves implementing strategic visions to secure impactful foundation partnerships that drive revenue and support the Society’s programs.

The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience in nonprofit development, proven leadership skills, and a track record of securing substantial foundation grants. The position requires excellent communication and project management skills as well as the ability to foster collaboration across departments.

This hybrid role involves working at the office two days a week and offers a competitive salary range of $166,250.00 - $175,000.00, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in nonprofit or business development environments.
• Demonstrated success in leading matrixed teams.
• Experience in soliciting multi-million-dollar foundation grants.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and management of Philanthropic Foundations Team.
• Develop and implement strategic vision for partnerships.
• Cultivate and secure major foundation partnerships.

Skills

Strategic vision execution

Leadership and team management

Proposal development

Communication skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Foundation grant management

Education

Master’s degree

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 is $166,250.00 - $175,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; a wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months; flexible paid time off up to 22 days per year; 12 paid holidays; parental leave and other family benefits; learning and development opportunities; lifestyle spending account; pet adoption assistance; pre‑tax transportation benefits; employer‑paid life insurance and disability; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid – The majority of staff are Hybrid. Hybrid staff are required to work at Base Camp two days each week (Tuesday and Wednesday) and may come in additional days as preferred.

Legal Authorization and Sponsorship

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.