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 fourteen million students and 97,000 teachers from more than 37,000 schools worldwide.

The Role

GLI is seeking a Program Coordinator to manage the implementation of professional development and history education projects that support 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 as well as 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 while working with teachers, scholars, external partners, and funders about project content and deliverables. The Program Coordinator may also be asked to contribute to other projects within the Educational Programs Department.

The ideal candidate will 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 an Assistant Director of Programs and is based in New York City. The position is currently hybrid, with one to two days in the office and three to four days working remotely.

Position Overview

Program and Events Management (85%)

• Create and manage project plans and communicate these plans internally and externally
• Manage session logistics, which may include (but are not limited to) moderating online sessions, preparing printed materials for in-person sessions, and being onsite for in-person programs for support as needed
• Communicate with scholars, teacher consultants, external partners, school representatives, 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 contractors to ensure that project deadlines are met within budget constraints, and communicate project changes as needed
• Manage budgets and track expenses
• Evaluate projects, including data collection, tracking, and reflecting on areas for improvement

Content Review of Educational Materials (10%)

• 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 used in educational deliverables (lesson plan units, slide decks, and other materials)
• Work closely with the Director of Curriculum Development and Instructional Design and the Editorial staff to ensure that all information is recorded correctly into GLI’s internal database
• Coordinate with the Assistant Curator to document educational resources in our Collection Management System

Departmental Operations (5%)

• Contribute to organizational processes to help streamline and improve our work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in history, education, or a related field
• Excellent writing ability
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience working well under pressure, meeting deadlines, and developing short- and long-term strategies to meet objectives
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Previous experience with databases preferred; experience with Salesforce is a plus
• Experience with project management programs like Asana is a plus
• Some evening and weekend work
• Occasional travel may be required (no more than 10% of time)

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 disposition with a desire to participate in creating a strong team culture

To Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in a single file to hr@gilderlehrman.org. Please include “Program Coordinator” in the subject line of your email and let us know how you heard about the role.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, sex, gender identity, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, height, weight, or any other legally protected status. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, GLI encourages you to apply.

Please note that while careful consideration will be given to each submission, the Gilder Lehrman Institute will only contact applicants whose knowledge, skills, and work experience best meet the position’s requirements.

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, 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 complete tuition reimbursement.