Director, Philanthropic Foundation Partnerships

How You’ll Contribute

The Advancement team cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, as well as foundation, government and corporate partners who invest in the Society to drive impact through science, technology, education, exploration, and storytelling. The team collaborates with Society teams – and often works closely with NGC/Disney – to build transformative and impact-driven strategic partnerships. The team 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.

The Director, Philanthropic Foundation Partnerships (Director) is a leader within NGS Advancement and is responsible for identifying, cultivating, securing, and stewarding philanthropic foundation partnerships while implementing the Society’s advancement strategy and priorities. The Director is proactive, responsible, has experience supervising teams and building strong foundation partner and government relationships, and has an exceptional record of meeting and exceeding fundraising goals in a fast-paced work environment.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Philanthropic Foundation Partnerships, and located at the Society’s headquarters in Washington DC, the Director is responsible for developing and executing fundraising strategies to identify, develop, secure, steward, and renew funding partnerships with global, national, regional, and family philanthropic foundations.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

- Works with the Senior Director, Philanthropic Foundations  to secure institutional philanthropic funding from private foundations on behalf of NGS.  Projects annual revenue targets, in consultation with the Sr. Director, and supports the team with needed resources to meet those goals. Personally secures a minimum of $3M+ in annual foundation support. (30%)

- Executes strategy development, prospect research and outreach, proposal preparation and submission, and internal collaboration with NGS leadership and program staff, to successfully solicit and secure major grants (six to eight figure gift level) that support operating programs – from the proposal stage through a signed commitment. (25%)

- Works closely with the Sr. Director in developing  outreach, engagement, and stewardship strategies for prospects, with a goal of building durable long-term relationships, rather than short-term transactions.  Identifies potential opportunities and produces presentation decks/concept notes/funding proposals with input from NGS colleagues and prospects. Embraces available data and other tools/systems to measure and enhance the effectiveness of the foundations team. (15%)
- Actively engages and meets with prospects and partners, and advocates internally for partner interests as appropriate.  Effectively communicates with internal and external partners to assure open and productive relationships.  Assures all aspects of narrative and financial reporting to partners are conducted with accuracy, depth, integrity, rigor, and detail in a timely manner, always with an eye on transparency and renewal.  (15%)
- Communicates clearly and regularly with NGS staff on potential foundation opportunities, and works with program teams and NGS leadership to innovate and adapt new and existing programs to best appeal to prospects.  Works closely with NGS leadership to determine the most effective role of the CAO, CEO, SLT, program leads, Explorers, Fellows, and NGS Board of Trustees members to initiate/advance conversations with potential philanthropic partners.  (10%)
- Represents the Society at select philanthropic gatherings/events, stays abreast of industry news, trends and networking opportunities, with the aim of finding new openings to creating innovative responses and compelling philanthropic partnerships. (5%)

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced  degree desirable.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

10+ years of experience with a robust foundation relations program at non-profit organization or philanthropic foundation.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

- Strategic thinking to help shape our organization’s philanthropic partnerships with private foundations and a demonstrated ability to work with program staff to define and fulfill our programmatic objectives is critical.
- Verifiable track record of securing significant grants at the  six and eight figure gift level.
- Highly effective written and oral communications skills essential.
- Detail- and deadline-oriented with the ability to manage multiple partnerships successfully and simultaneously.
- Ability to support presentations to external audiences on projects of highly diverse and technical subject matter.

Desired Qualifications

- Concise, persuasive, and versatile writing style for different mediums, audiences, and subject matter.
- Ability to work with a small and efficient team of grants professionals, a highly proficient Advancement staff, and a varying range of other NGS staff.
- Knowledge of Raiser's Edge or equivalent donor database.

Supervision

No 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 $145,350.00 - $153,000.00.

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.

W e encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.