Program Coordinator, Educational Programs Department

The Organization

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) is the nation’s leading American history organization dedicated to K–12 education. The Institute’s mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources. Since its founding in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute has created powerful and meaningful ways to teach and learn history. Focusing on primary sources, the Institute offers teacher seminars, online courses, exhibitions, digital materials, and print publications that enable students of all ages and backgrounds to study the nation’s past.

The Institute brings the work of today’s leading historians into classrooms and homes around the globe. Through public events, publications, posters, videos, exhibitions, essays, and a dedicated website rich in primary sources, the Institute brings every period of American history to life. The Institute’s diverse education programs, including the acclaimed Hamilton Education Program, provide opportunities to explore five centuries of American history. The Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School network comprises twelve million students and more than 90,500 teachers from more than 35,000 schools worldwide.

The Role

The Institute seeks an Education Program Coordinator to manage the implementation of professional development and history education projects serving teachers and students. These projects may range from one-day professional development workshops serving teachers in a specific school district to multiyear grant-funded programs serving schools nationwide. Many of these projects focus on teacher professional development but may also involve the creation of educational resources such as lesson plans or video series. The Program Coordinator will oversee the planning and implementation of such projects to ensure that they meet teacher and student needs and represent the high standards of the Gilder Lehrman Institute. This will involve collaborating closely within and across departments and working with master teachers, scholars, external partners and funders about project content and deliverables. The Coordinator may also be asked to contribute to other projects within the Educational Programs Department. 

The ideal candidate should be self-motivated, have outstanding project management and communication skills (verbal and written), and be flexible. A background in American history and/or K–12 education is not required but is preferred. This role reports to a Senior Program Manager and is based in New York City. The position is hybrid, with one to two days in the office and three to four days working remotely. 

 Position Overview

Program and Events Management (65%)

• Create and manage project plans and communicate these plans internally and externally
• Manage session logistics, which may include (but is not limited to) moderating online sessions or preparing printed materials for in-person sessions. When programs are held in person, this may include being onsite for support as needed.
• Communicate with scholars, teacher consultants, and external partners, including schools and school districts, about the project content and logistics
• Participate in shaping the content of a project, such as selecting materials or lesson plans, with support from Educational Programs Department leadership
• Work with GLI staff and external contractors to ensure that project deadlines are met within budget constraints, and communicate project changes as needed
• Manage budgets and track expenses
• Participate in the evaluation of projects, including data collection and tracking, and reflecting on areas for improvement

Content Review of Educational Materials (30%)

• Work with contractors and Editorial staff to ensure that all project deliverables are completed on time and meet GLI standards
• Secure permissions and rights from external parties for text and images in educational deliverables (lesson plan units, slide decks, and other materials)
• Work closely with the Director of Curriculum Development and Instructional Design and Editorial staff to ensure that all information is inputted correctly into a database of materials 
• Coordinate with the Collection Manager to document educational resources in our CMS 

Contribute to organizational processes to streamline and improve our work (5%)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in history, education, or a related field
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Experience working well under pressure, meeting deadlines, and developing short- and long-term strategies to meet objectives
• Proficiency in G-Suite and Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Previous experience using a database preferred; experience with Salesforce a plus
• Experience with project management programs like Asana is a plus
• Some evening and weekend work  
• Occasional travel may be required

Other Desired Qualifications

• Commitment to GLI’s mission and enthusiasm about communicating the mission to external audiences
• Experience managing non-profit educational programs and working with K–12 teachers and students
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment that involves juggling multiple projects at once and being detail-oriented about each task
• Strong relationship management skills and an intuitive understanding of how to handle sensitive communications with care
• Team-oriented with a desire to participate in creating a strong team culture

The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers a generous and inclusive benefits package, including employer-paid health, dental, disability, and life insurance, 401(k) non-matching employer contributions, Flexible Spending Account plans, and paid time off in the first year of hire, including a paid winter recess from December 26 to 31.