Open Positions at the Gilder Lehrman Institute

Internship Program

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Development Manager

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 34,000 schools worldwide.

The Role

Are you passionate about the field of education? Excited by the idea of helping to inspire rising generations to be civically engaged at this critical moment for American democracy? Looking for an entrepreneurial fundraising role that allows you to be creative, hands-on, and part of recruiting the next generation of engaged supporters? The Gilder Lehrman Institute’s Development team is looking for you!

The Institute’s annual operating budget is approximately $10M, more than $4M of which comes from philanthropy. We are currently seeking a Development Manager, reporting to the Director of Development. The successful candidate will truly love to write and be excited about being a leader in rethinking how the Institute pairs words, images, and video to articulate the urgency of our mission and the impact of our programs on educators, students, and society as a whole. While writing will be an important component of this job, the Development Manager will also have the opportunity to engage directly with donors. This is an ideal position for someone who is interested in the donor relationship-building aspects of fundraising, while relishing the idea of spending a significant portion of your time immersed in creating the materials that are so essential to effective fundraising. The writing that the Development Manager oversees will range from shorter to longer formats depending on the donor-related need, but with an overall emphasis on distilling our work into highly concise pieces that use graphic design and visual elements as useful to our storytelling.

The Development Manager will play a key role in

  • Creating compelling marketing materials that help staff, Trustees, and other stakeholders fundraise for priority programs and our annual fund  
  • Strengthening our donor stewardship by regularly producing compelling communications pieces 
  • Helping to sustain and grow our portfolio of donors by writing impact reports, proposals, and other materials to secure funds
  • Cultivating donors in meetings, with opportunities to engage directly with donors aligned to the candidate’s level of experience

The Development Manager will be joining the Institute at a dynamic time, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2024 and continue to enhance and expand our nonpartisan K–12 and public programming at a critical time for our nation.

This role will be based in New York City, and currently requires working in person at least one day per week in GLI’s midtown office.

Position Overview

The Development Manager will play a crucial role in bringing our stories to life across donor audiences and mediums, helping us sustain our current donor base and significantly expand and diversify this base. Specific responsibilities will include

  • Creating a toolkit of essential fundraising collateral for staff, Trustees, and President’s Council members to use in reaching out to donors, developing materials in both deck and document-based formats
  • Producing donor newsletters and other key donor communications pieces that capture highlights of the Institute’s work, taking these projects from start to finish by proposing the most compelling content, writing copy, and executing all relevant graphic design elements
  • Supporting the success of donor cultivation events by writing event-related collateral including e-blasts to advertise event opportunities, written program materials distributed to event guests, and post-event publicity pieces
  • Developing and executing a plan for Trustee communications to inspire their giving and outreach by sharing impact stories
  • Managing a calendar of direct mail appeals, identifying compelling opportunities to solicit giving to our annual fund, and developing aligned appeal pieces (which could take the form of letters, videos, or any other creative approach to fundraising)
  • Managing communications with donors who give to specific initiatives and/or programs in specific states, developing a calendar of outreach opportunities, and writing compelling updates to provide regular touchpoints throughout the year
  • Writing donor reports and proposals supporting at least $1M worth of gifts, working with the Institute’s Education team to develop compelling updates on our impact and cases for support
  • Supporting or leading annual meetings with a portfolio of donors to renew critical funds

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • An excellent writer, who also enjoys writing in multiple different formats and finding the right balance between telling stories through words, images, and videos
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
  • Basic graphic design skills strongly preferred (i.e., you feel comfortable using Canva or equivalent tools to design a 1-page marketing document or design an e-blast)
  • Prior experience in non-profit fundraising and/or communications strongly preferred, or demonstrated experience in another professional role that requires writing for external audiences. Candidates with significant professional experience may be considered at the Senior Manager level.

Other Qualifications

  • Commitment to GLI’s mission and enthusiasm about communicating the mission to external audiences
  • 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 intuitive understanding of how to handle sensitive communications with care
  • Team-oriented with a desire to participate in creating a strong team culture

Compensation

Compensation range: $60,000–$70,000 annually; compensation will be commensurate with candidate’s experience and other qualifications, and only candidates with significant professional experience will be considered for the position as a Senior Manager with compensation up to $80,000 annually.

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

To Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in a single file to hr@gilderlehrman.org.

Candidates must also submit as separate attachments two work samples that highlight relevant skills for this position. One sample should be a narrative piece of writing (a short piece of two or three pages is ideal, with the maximum submission length being five pages). The second sample should integrate graphic design and narrative elements. Pieces written for donors or other marketing purposes are ideal. Candidates applying without a background in fundraising or communications may choose samples at their discretion that demonstrate relevant skills.

Please include “Development Manager” in the subject line of your email. Please also 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.

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

Compensation

Compensation range: $50,000–$55,000 annually; compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and other qualifications.

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.

To Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in a single file to hr@gilderlehrman.org. Please include “Education 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.

Program Coordinator, Master’s in American History Program

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 90,500 teachers from more than 34,000 schools worldwide.

The Role

GLI is currently seeking a Program Coordinator to support the Gettysburg College-Gilder Lehrman MA in American History and to oversee the Gilder Lehrman Self-Paced Courses (SPC). The MA program is a 30-credit online master’s degree program in American History for K–12 educators across the nation and internationally. The SPC program provides affordable and accessible professional development to K–12 educators. Responsibilities include communicating with MA students and applicants, maintaining the MA program webpage, ensuring SPCs are created and released on schedule, and resolving SPC issues as needed.

The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, be highly organized, demonstrate strong attentiveness to detail, and be excited about K–12 education and American history.

This role reports to the Assistant Director, MA Program. It is a hybrid of remote and in-person work based in New York City. Some weekend and evening hours are required, and some travel may be required.

Position Overview

  • MA Program Communications and Recruitment (50%)
    • Ensure potential applicants are well informed about the MA program and application process via email, phone call, or Zoom session
    • Update and refine the MA program webpage regularly to ensure information is accurate, compelling, and easy to find
    • Improve MA student experiences through efficient and welcoming communication
    • Encourage MA program growth through ongoing recruitment strategies
  • MA Program Management (35%)
    • Ensure lead and section professors are well served through quick, courteous communication and prompt processing of contracts, payments, and reimbursements
    • Monitor program growth by tracking daily enrollment numbers
    • Ensure course Q&A sessions are effectively facilitated and archived
    • Facilitate approximately five MA course Q&A sessions per semester
  • Self-Paced Courses (SPCs) (10%)
    • Improve the quality and accessibility of teachers’ professional development through self-paced course production and maintenance
    • Support teachers pursuing professional development that conforms to diverse state and district requirements
    • Work with contractors and Editorial staff to ensure that SPCs are completed on time and meet GLI standards
    • Work with MA Program Assistant Director to grow the SPC program, including securing state approvals as a recognized PD provider
  • Additional responsibilities as required (5%)

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in history, education, or a related field
  • Punctuality and reliability
  • An ability to handle all situations with a calm and professional approach
  • A can-do attitude and demonstrated ability to problem-solve under pressure
  • Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
  • Experience working in a learning management system or content management system

Other Desired Qualifications

  • Commitment to GLI’s mission and enthusiasm about communicating the mission to external audiences
  • Experience working with K–12 educators
  • Experience working with adult learners
  • Admissions or recruiting experience is a plus
  • Strong relationship management skills and an understanding of how to handle sensitive communications with care

Compensation

Compensation range: $50,000–$55,000 annually; compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and other qualifications.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers a generous and inclusive benefits package, including employer-paid 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 26 to 31. The Institute also reimburses 90% of the cost of tuition for the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman Master’s Degree in American History.

To Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in a single file to hr@gilderlehrman.org. Please include “MA Program Coordinator” in the subject line of your email. Please also 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.

Application Deadline: May 5, 2024

Coordinator, President’s Office and Board Operations

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 Position

GLI seeks a professional to support the President with all day-to-day activities and manage board relations. The coordinator must be obsessively organized, comfortable with ambiguity, an excellent writer, and energetic. This person will also work very closely with other members of the GLI team and, therefore, must be highly collaborative, flexible, and communicative.

This role reports to the President with a dotted line to the Chief Operating Officer.

Roles and Responsibilities (including, but not limited to)

  • Manage the President’s Time and Priorities (75%)
    • Maintain the President’s schedule of appointments, ensuring that his priorities are reflected in his calendar
    • Ensure the President is prepared for all events and appointments, including conducting research and coordinating and confirming details of meetings
    • Manage the efficient flow of information for the President, including maintaining electronic and paper files and other important materials
    • Monitor the President’s email and social media
    • Book travel for the President and others, as needed
    • Manage sensitive matters with confidentiality and discretion
  • Manage Board Operations (10%) (in close collaboration with Chief Operating Officer)
    • Plan board, committee, and President’s Council meetings in consultation with the President, COO, and senior staff
    • Prepare compelling and error-free materials according to the President’s priorities; coordinate staff contributions and presentations
    • Review all materials for quality and consistency, ensuring they are prepared well in advance and disseminated in a timely manner
    • Manage logistics of meetings, including scheduling, technology management of remote and in-person sessions, and catering for in-person meetings
    • Communicate with board members and their assistants to secure attendance at meetings
    • Maintain records of meetings and attendance, including preparing minutes
    • Devise and implement systems to ensure Board members have access to relevant information and the support they need in order to fulfill their advisory, oversight, and advocacy duties
  • Manage President’s Board and Donor Relations (10%) (in close collaboration with the Director of Development)
    • Ensure that the President is in close touch with members of the Board of Trustees and President’s Council
    • Schedule meetings with key constituents in the President’s portfolio
    • Help prep the President for fundraising/VIP events and serve as his “handler” at events
    • Track meetings and communication in Salesforce and prepare donation reports and forecasts for those in the President’s portfolio
    • Prepare annual summary reports and frequent acknowledgments of Board members’ financial and in-kind contributions to GLI
    • Compile and monitor news alerts for key constituents, sharing relevant updates with the President
    • Draft written communication in the President’s voice
  • Support Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives (5%) (in collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer)
    • Conduct research and prepare background materials to support the strategic plan
    • Manage the logistics of the strategic planning process
    • Provide occasional administrative and research support to the COO for strategic initiatives

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Stellar writing and proofreading skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Impeccable follow-through
  • Obsessive organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Strong problem-solving skills, particularly when under pressure
  • An ability to work on several projects simultaneously, proactively seeking guidance about prioritization when necessary
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications

Other Desired Qualifications

  • Commitment to GLI’s mission and enthusiasm about communicating the mission to external audiences
  • 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 understanding of how to handle sensitive communications with care
  • Team-oriented with a desire to participate in creating a strong team culture
  • Knowledge of Salesforce and Asana a plus

Hours

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, at 49 W. 45th Street; opportunity for occasional remote work; some evening and weekend hours required.

Compensation

Compensation range: $50,000–$55,000 annually; compensation will be commensurate with candidate experience and other qualifications. Candidates with significant professional experience may be considered for the position of Manager, with compensation up to $65,000 annually.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers a generous and inclusive benefits package, including employer-paid health, dental, disability, and life insurance, 401(k) and FSA plans, and paid time off in the first year of hire, including a paid winter recess from December 26 to 31. The Institute also reimburses 90% of the cost of tuition for the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman Master’s Degree in American History.

To Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in a single file to hr@gilderlehrman.org. Please include “Coordinator, Executive Office” in the subject line of your email. Please also 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.