Director, Premier Donor Events and Partnership Activations

Company: National Geographic Society
Location: Washington
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

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 NGP/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 Global Special Events team of the National Geographic Society is responsible for developing and producing high quality, impactful events that use the power of convening to drive programmatic outcomes, further visibility for our executives, programs, sponsors and Explorers, and build donor loyalty and philanthropic support. The Director, Premier Donor Events and Partnership Activations is responsible for mapping, planning and executing the strategy for mission and donor centric events hosted by National Geographic Society, both internationally and domestically. Working in partnership with the Global Special Events, Leadership Giving and Institutional Partnership teams, this position is responsible for designing elevated experiences for philanthropic stakeholders of the Society, including the Board of Trustees and members of signature affinity groups. This role will carry a portfolio of events while also overseeing managers on the Global Special Events Team. The Director, Premier Donor Events and Partnership Activations reports to the Vice President, Global Special Events. Your Impact Responsibilities Include Lead Planning and Execution for NGS Premier Donor Events (25%) Research, plan and execute mission-immersive Premier donor events, as assigned by the VP, both domestic and international, ensuring the events meet established business objectives and are delivered within budget. Partner with donor and Explorer hosts to design the experience and plan programming to illuminate NGS’ mission and impact. Direct coordination of programming and logistics, high-profile speakers, venue logistics, audio visual production, security protocols, supervision of support staff, travel and vendor logistics. Research venues and vendors, drafting Requests For Proposals, as needed. Negotiate contracts in a manner that is consistent with industry best practices and protects the Society’s interests. Draft and edit marketing materials to promote premier donor events consistent with NGS brand standards, including invitations, program booklets, agendas, websites, online registration forms, event reminders and other guest communications. Brief executive leadership on key event updates and insights throughout the planning process, soliciting feedback and obtaining necessary approvals. Work with GSE Specialist to pull registration data from Swoogo and distribute weekly RSVP reports to Advancement and other internal departments. Exercise budget discipline by making cost-effective decisions and carefully monitoring expenses and revenue throughout the planning process to adhere to established budgets. Develop standards, best practices and templates to collect sensitive personal data and travel information from donor travelers while optimizing user convenience and complying with security and privacy protocols. Work with the Advancement Operations team to ensure data in Raiser’s Edge is accurate to support donor pipeline development. Monitor enterprise calendars, scheduled programming, and mission moments/messaging. Leverage programming, talent and assets and integrate into events as appropriate (i.e. film screenings, museum exhibitions, magazine features, NG Live programs, book signings, and special appearances by channel talent) to create elevated, bespoke experiences and provide VIP access to signature donor audiences.(Museum of Exploration, post opening) Design and Manage Activations for Institutional Partner audiences (25%) Develop in consultation with the IP team, and execute a robust annual calendar of events which educates, informs and inspires IP stakeholder audiences. Build a strategy for partner activations, sponsorships and events alongside the Institutional Partnerships team that deepens relationships and inspires ongoing giving. Manage logistics and event production for components of large scale industry aligned conferences that the IP team decides to participate in. Work closely with the IP team, the GSE production team and in some cases the Partner to develop a robust program that highlights the partnership with NGS and the funded impact work. Manage MOE VIP Events and Pre-Trip Activities in DC (25%) Manage a team and budget for MOE VIP Events and National Geographic Expeditions pre trip activities. Monitor NG Expeditions schedule of trips and ensure members of NGS’ senior leadership team, or other Talent are scheduled to make remarks or participate, as appropriate. Ensure that visual speaker presentations meet the high standards of the National Geographic brand. Oversee onstage production of programs including running rehearsals, managing talent, preparing moderators, hosts, and speakers, reviewing and advising on verbal and visual presentations, and collaborating with technical production leads. Manage NGS staff involvement at Society trip receptions such as Around the World Jet Trip Welcome Dinners, including senior leadership team remarks at each dinner and seating of NGS advancement and leadership staff strategically based on guests/RSVPs. Staff Management (25%) Oversee a team of special event managers. In this leadership role you will work in partnership with the Director of Advancement Special Events (ASE) and Operations as well as the Vice President of Global Special Events to support and manage the ASE team, while also at times, supporting the broader GSE Team. This position will meet regularly with your direct reports, providing guidance and feedback while also owning your own portfolio of events. What You’ll Bring Educational Background Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum Years and Type of Experience 10 years in event programming, production, marketing experience or relevant experience. Necessary Knowledge and Skills Ability to attend evening and weekend events, as well as travel domestically or internationally to support on-site event execution Effective written and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely to various audiences’ enterprise-wide Excellent critical thinking skills and ability to handle emergency situations, demonstrating sound judgment under pressure Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail Ability to deliver results with managing competing priorities under tight deadlines Proactive, self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset Ability to work independently and as part of a team Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work with diplomacy and tact at all times Desired Qualifications Experience with event registration platforms and donor management software is considered a plus. Supervision 2 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 $142,500.00 - $150,000.00. 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 Resident - Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must be at Base Camp every day to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present onsite some of the time to meet looming deadlines or to get work done and may require a unique schedule. As such, this category has been revised to provide maximum flexibility depending on what’s required for each individual role. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work. 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.

Keywords: National Geographic Society, Washington DC , Director, Premier Donor Events and Partnership Activations, PR / Public Relations , Washington, DC