Event Specialist, Museum Programming

Overview

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. The public-facing portion of this renovation will be the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Components of the new museum will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space.

The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard. The Public Programming team creates ticketed and free experiences at the Museum of Exploration that engage local and global audiences, showcase National Geographic Explorers, and highlight the Museum’s exhibitions and collections. These programs are designed to advance the Society’s mission by deepening public understanding of science, exploration, and storytelling, while driving sustainable revenue for the organization.

The Event Specialist will report to the Manager, Public Programming, collaborating on programming concepts and advancing the execution of all on-campus Public Programming Events.

Responsibilities Include:

• Event Execution & Logistics (50%)
• Support the end-to-end execution of public programs, including setup, on-site coordination, and breakdown.
• Manage event logistics such as scheduling, vendor coordination, catering, and A/V support in collaboration with internal teams.
• Serve as the primary point of contact during select events, ensuring smooth operations and an excellent guest experience.

• Program Coordination & Administrative Support (30%)
• Assist in program planning, content tracking, and production schedules across on-campus programs.
• Coordinate communication with Explorers, speakers, and partners regarding program logistics, travel, and deliverables.
• Maintain program documentation, run-of-show materials, CRM, and event databases.

• Operations & Departmental Support (20%)
• Help implement and maintain departmental processes and tools to improve programming workflows and consistency. Track and process invoices, assist with budget monitoring, and manage event supplies and inventory.
• Support cross-functional coordination with teams such as Advancement, Marketing, Facilities, and Guest Services.

Bachelor’s degree preferred

3+ years of experience in event production, program coordination, or public programming.

• Passion for storytelling, science, exploration, and engaging the public through meaningful experiences
• Experience working with speakers, artists, or content creators
• Effective written and oral communications skills
• Proficiency in Nonprofit Cloud, , Google Office, Microsoft Office Suite, Keynote and ticketing software is desired
• Astute attention to detail
• Ability to manage competing priorities and multitask while under tight deadlines
• Availability to attend evening and weekend events
• Excellent organizational, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, or non-profit setting
• Interest in growing into a creative producer or programmer role over time

No direct reports

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 $61,750.00 - $65,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic…