Program Coordinator (Full Time, Three-Year Term)

The Organization

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) is the nation’s leading nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of American history through educational programs and resources. We serve K–12 teachers and students, honor scholars, and welcome and inform the general public.

Since its founding in 1994, GLI 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 worldwide. Through public events, publications, posters, videos, exhibitions, essays, and a dedicated website rich in primary sources, GLI brings every period of American history to life. 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 more than 15 million students and 100,000 educators from nearly 39,000 schools worldwide.

The Position

GLI is seeking a full-time Program Coordinator to support the Educational Programs Department. This is a three-year grant-funded position. The Coordinator will manage the planning and logistics for GLI’s Student Advisory Council, run student and teacher contests, organize programming connected to our Citizenship Test program, and provide programmatic support to the Gilder Lehrman History School (GLHS), GLI’s new online learning initiative.

The ideal candidate will have direct experience working with middle school or high school students in the classroom or other student-facing settings such as libraries, museums, or parks. The Coordinator should feel confident stepping in quickly, working independently, and managing multiple deadlines without close supervision, all while communicating and collaborating effectively.

The Coordinator reports to the Program Manager. The position is based in New York City, and requires working a minimum of three days per week at GLI’s midtown office.

Roles and Responsibilities

Student Advisory Council (20%) [The SAC is a group of 200 students in grades 8–12 who meet monthly to provide feedback to the Institute, learn about GLI programming, and explore history together]

• Plan and manage logistics for student-facing educational programs, including scheduling, internal and external communication, preparation of materials, and on-site or virtual facilitation support
• Serve as a main point of contact for Student Advisory Council participants and partners during the planning and execution of meetings
• Facilitate communication that supports the recruitment and retention of student members and participants
• Maintain accurate records of participant data, communications, and program outcomes in GLI’s internal systems, which include Salesforce

Student and Teacher Contests (30%)

• Organize student and teacher contests
• Track program timelines and deliverables, and flag issues proactively
• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to promote and expand contest reach

Citizenship Test Programs (30%)

• Manage the creation of new materials associated with the program
• Partner with outside contractors to develop resources for use in schools and libraries, such as videos, booklets, and flashcards

Gilder Lehrman History School (LMS) (20%)

• The Gilder Lehrman History School is a forthcoming platform where students can take courses on different topics in American history and civics online
• Support the Director of Special Projects in developing History School courses within the CYPHER Learning Management System, including organizing and uploading course materials and assessments
• Assist with course development, review, and testing to ensure accuracy, consistency, and a positive student learning experience
• Provide research, administrative, and project support for the History School as needed

Across all programs

• Support post-program reporting and evaluation as needed
• Collaborate with members of the Educational Programs Department and other GLI colleagues regarding other needs as they arise

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in program coordination, student programming, or educational program management; nonprofit experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience working with middle school and high school students is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in productivity tools, such as Asana, and the ability to learn new systems quickly
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Passion for GLI’s mission, and an enthusiasm for American history and civics
• Comfort troubleshooting technology and supporting users of different ages
• Familiarity with AI tools preferred

The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers a generous and inclusive benefits package, including health, dental, disability, and life insurance, 401(k) employer contribution, Flexible Spending Account plans, donation matching, and paid time off in the first year of hire, including a paid winter recess from December 25 to January 1. The Gilder Lehrman Institute also offers generous tuition reimbursement for courses taken in the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History program. Staff members who complete the MA degree are eligible for full tuition reimbursement.