Senior Manager, Major Gifts (Hybrid 2 days per week in DC office)

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 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. Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the Senior Manager, Major Gifts (Sr. Manager) will support the growth and health of National Geographic Society’s Advancement program in support of institutional revenue objectives. The Sr. Manager will be responsible for qualifying donors, building a donor pipeline, creating and implementing cultivation strategies for new and existing major gift candidates, soliciting annual and major gifts, and thoughtfully stewarding donors. Working closely with colleagues across the Society, the MGO will develop, execute, evaluate, and refine strategies for assigned priority projects or region(s) to maximize their development potential. Your Impact Responsibilities Include Fundraising (80%): Manage a portfolio of 125 donors and prospects, executing strategic outreach and face-to-face visits to drive the full gift cycle—from identification and qualification to solicitation and stewardship—resulting in successful gift closures ranging from $10K to $1M; Partner with the Director of Major Gifts to drive high-level results, consistently meeting or exceeding revenue and engagement targets with a focus on securing six-figure, multi-year, and increased gift commitments; Independently design, execute, and continuously refine cultivation and solicitation strategies for the Society’s priority projects and funding initiatives; Collaborate with organizational leadership and key stakeholders to strategically leverage high-profile events and influential networks, positioning the Advancement team to maximize major and principal gift opportunities; Lead the strategy and execution of high-impact regional events across assigned markets, partnering with the Global Special Events team to ensure each engagement aligns with National Geographic’s brand and donor expectations; Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between Advancement and Marketing divisions to synchronize with regional initiatives. Strategically integrate donor engagement and high-impact special events ensuring every donor touchpoint is an opportunity to move prospects through the cultivation pipeline, accelerate philanthropic growth, and drive institutional goals. Administration (20%): Develop and maintain a thorough and accurate understanding of NGS programs and funding priorities in order to effectively connect donors and prospects to NGS priorities and content; Effectively communicate NGS priorities and successfully match donor’s philanthropic interests to funding needs; Provide and review written materials, including briefings, solicitations, reports, and acknowledgements in a quality consistent with NGS and Advancement team standards; Serve as a Point of Contact for the Advancement team with one or more programs, initiatives, or teams at NGS; Utilize and update the Raiser’s Edge database by recording activities, contacts, and strategies on an on-going basis consistent with department policies. What You’ll Bring Educational Background Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum Years and Type of Experience 7 years of development experience with donor/donor candidate management and gift solicitation, including a proven track record of closing gifts $25,000 and stewarding donor relationships. Necessary Knowledge and Skills Sophisticated communication skills and demonstrated ability to increase current donor support, and to attract new donors. Success managing high-visibility projects in a fast-paced environment. Self-motivated and capable of working proactively and independently. Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary with a demonstrated ability to write effectively for business/philanthropic communication purposes. Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and the Google suite. Must be detail-oriented, organized, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to maintain high standards of confidentiality. Proactive and professional demeanor when interacting with NGS staff, senior executives, high net worth individuals, and donors. Desired Qualifications Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge database system strongly preferred. Ability to exercise good judgment and work with minimum of instruction and supervision when necessary. Excellent interpersonal skills enabling professional and congenial interactions. 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 $128,250.00 - $135,000.00. 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.

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