Sr. Director, Philanthropic Foundations

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 and produces global events that deepen connections and leverage the Society’s power to convene. It also 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 Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropic Foundation Partnerships, and Government Partnerships. Reporting to the Vice President, Institutional Partnerships, the Senior Director, Philanthropic Foundations will lead the development and management of the Philanthropic Foundations Team.

Impact Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a 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 and oversee the full lifecycle of partnership development from prospecting 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 identify and prioritize 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

Compensation and Benefits

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. The salary range for this position is $166,250.00 – $175,000.00. In addition, benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a wellness program; a 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); 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31. Other benefits include paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; a 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 and Work Arrangement

Hybrid – The majority of staff work at Base Camp two days each week (every Tuesday and Wednesday). Hybrid staff are also welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.