Executive Director

Status: Full-time, beginning in January 2027

Reporting: The AGS Council and in close collaboration with the Council Chair and President.

The AGS is a Partner Project of the Fund for the City of New York.

Location: Hybrid with occasional travel to New York City

Instructions:

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to edsearch@americangeo.org.

Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by

September 15, 2026. Applicants should attach one example of a fundraising campaign,

communications plan, or geo-educational project that they created.

About the American Geographical Society

The American Geographical Society was founded in 1851, making it the first and foremost geographical society in the United States. Based in New York City, we are currently celebrating our 175th anniversary. The society’s mission is to be the leading champion of geography for the benefit of society. The Society is guided by its distinguished past in connecting people interested in serving and learning geography and applying geospatial science and tools. We are dedicated to promoting geographic literacy, geographic thinking, geospatial innovation, and geographically informed public policy in the United States and around the world. Its Council is composed of thought leaders, innovators, and champions for the cause of geography from government, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

We seek an Executive Director who will help advance the society’s scholarly, educational, programming, convening, outreach, and fundraising efforts as we move towards our bicentennial year. The Society’s major initiatives include the annual Geography 2050 symposium, TeenMaptivists, academic publications such as the Geographical Review, and open-source publications such as FOCUS on geography, the EthicalGeo program, and supporting the next generation of diverse geographic learners with the Teacher Fellows and Council Fellowship programs.

AGS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a "Partner Project" of the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY). AGS conducts its program-related financial activities through FCNY, another 501(c)(3) organization that supplies financial management services, monthly expense and revenue reports, an insurance coverage program, and a comprehensive employee benefits program. All contributions made to FCNY for the benefit of AGS are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Under this arrangement, FCNY serves as AGS’ fiscal sponsor, providing “back office” support which enables AGS to focus resources on its programmatic work and initiatives. The annual operating budget of AGS is around $1.2 million.

Position

The executive director must possess a deep commitment to AGS’s mission, goals, and programs, be enthusiastic about geography, and be able to function with a high degree of independence and experienced judgment.

Leadership & Management

• Implements fundraising and programmatic strategies for the organization consistent with the goals and policies established by the Council.
• Oversees administrative, information technology, and operational processes.
• In collaboration with the Council and FCNY, leads the development of an annual budget and reviews monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to ensure that the organization is meeting its fiduciary responsibilities and goals
• Supervises the work of staff members, interns, and consultants.
• Represents the AGS with its constituency in academia, private sector, government, and civil society.

Fundraising

• Expands and imagines new fundraising activities through individuals, events, foundations, and corporate campaigns.
• Works with Institutional Advancement to develop and track an annual development plan, develops a strategy to cultivate, retain, and upgrade individual donors at all giving levels, and develops and maintains ongoing relationships with major donors, be it individuals, foundations, or corporations.
• Solicits private foundations that fund Geography, Education, and GeoSTEM with Letters of Intent, Letters of Inquiry, or Grant Proposals.

Governance and Council Relations

• Collaborates with the AGS Council to define organizational priorities.
• Provides regular updates on organizational performance and strategic initiatives.
• Aligns AGS policies and ethical guidelines with legal compliance requirements.

Communications and Programming

• Leads the creation and implementation of impactful programs, publications, funded projects, and events (such as Geography 2050) that align with AGS’s mission.
• Oversees AGS’s research, publications, and educational activities to maintain the highest academic and professional standards.
• Advocates for AGS to external stakeholders, including members, donors, government agencies, business and not-for-profit organizations, and the academic community.

Required Qualification

The Executive Director must be committed to the American Geographical Society’s mission and have proven leadership skills and the ability to cultivate relationships with Council members, potential donors, and our diverse stakeholders.

Other qualifications include:

• At minimum, a Master's Degree with a strong demonstrated understanding of geography, geospatial sciences, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated track record in management, preferably in the nonprofit sector
• Experience in fundraising, budgeting, and organizational growth.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with managing CRM systems.
• Demonstrated ability for successful grant writing and execution.
• Full Project Lifecycle Management Experience.

AGS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a "Partner Project" of the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY). AGS conducts its program-related financial activities through FCNY, another 501(c)(3) organization that supplies financial management services, monthly expense and revenue reports, an insurance coverage program, and a comprehensive employee benefits program.

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