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Company Overview │ Close Up is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that aims to inform, inspire, and empower young people to become active participants in our democracy. We believe a strong democracy requires engagement by all citizens. Therefore, we seek to reach youth from all communities and all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic level, or academic standing. Since 1971, we have partnered with schools nationwide to serve more than one million students and educators through experiential programs in our nation’s capital and in local communities, professional development for educators, and curriculum and resource design.

Position Overview │ The director of strategic engagement will join the External Affairs Department and report directly to the president. The ideal candidate is a professional in communications, fundraising, and coalition-building who can engage key stakeholders, including alumni, volunteers, donors, and educators. This person is skilled at creative problem-solving guided by collaboration and engagement with internal and external stakeholders. A strong candidate produces results and executes initiatives, projects, and campaigns that increase stakeholder engagement and revenue opportunities. The person in this role has excellent communication and writing skills, and is a self-starter, detail-oriented, adaptable, and enthusiastic about Close Up’s work.

This position is based in the Washington, D.C., area.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies to collaborate with partners to support key initiatives and target audiences.
• Identify partnership and funding opportunities to increase mission reach and support strategic projects.
• Develop messaging for marketing collateral, presentations, website copy, and other materials. 
• Support the president and other senior leadership with set-up and preparation for meetings with potential partners and donors.
• Assist with grant proposals and donor engagement.
• Follow and understand the latest trends and developments in politics, education, and civic engagement.
• Manage team members who are responsible for alumni and speaker engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university. 
• At least 5-7 years of experience in communications, fundraising, business development, and/or education.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to write for a variety of audiences.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively across the organization.
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• Passion for Close Up’s mission and civic education.
• Authorization to work in the United States for any employer.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination as required by company policy.

Compensation and Benefits │ In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Close Up provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes two robust medical insurance plans, dental insurance (over 90 percent of premiums are company-paid), and vision coverage. Close Up pays 100 percent of the premiums for life/AD&D insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance, and offers flexible spending and dependent care accounts, a 403(b) retirement savings program, paid vacation/sick days/holidays, paid parental leave, a Metro subsidy or free garage parking, free gym access, and a positive work environment.

If you are excited about the prospect of joining Close Up, please upload a resume and cover letter describing why this position is the right fit for your skills and experience.

The Close Up Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

No phone calls or recruiters, please.

Company Overview │ Close Up is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that aims to inform, inspire, and empower young people to become active participants in our democracy. We believe a strong democracy requires engagement by all citizens. Therefore, we seek to reach youth from all communities and all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic level, or academic standing. Since 1971, we have partnered with schools nationwide to serve more than one million students and educators through experiential programs in our nation’s capital and in local communities, professional development for educators, and curriculum and resource design.

Position Overview | The educational outreach manager plays a key role in advancing Close Up’s mission by increasing student and educator participation in our civic learning programs and professional development opportunities. This position is responsible for managing existing relationships, building new partnerships with schools and districts, and achieving enrollment and revenue goals through strategic outreach and consultative sales. A successful candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills and the ability to leverage existing contacts and networks within the K–12 education space, including private schools, charter schools, public districts, and educational associations.

Key Responsibilities

• Offer value-driven solutions to customers that support long-term partnerships and student impact.
• Develop and execute strategies to meet and exceed program participation and revenue targets in assigned territories.
• Build and maintain relationships with school administrators, educators, and district leaders to promote Close Up’s programs and services.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities for growth among school districts, educational networks, and civic organizations.
• Deliver compelling presentations (virtual and in-person) to schools and districts, and at education conferences.
• Attend Close Up programs to build new relationships and leverage existing relationships with educators to generate revenue and new opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with internal departments/teams to maximize opportunities in key markets and develop strategies for expanding into new or underserved areas.
• Maintain accurate records in CRM and provide regular reporting on pipeline activity, forecasts, and results.
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activity to inform strategy and positioning.

Qualifications

•  A bachelor’s degree is required; background in education, public policy, or a related field is a plus.
• Experience (3–5 years) in partnerships, sales, account management, or business development (education sector is preferred).
• Proven ability to generate revenue and manage a pipeline.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Self-starter with strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Passion for civic engagement, education, and Close Up’s mission.

Compensation and Benefits | In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Close Up provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes two robust medical insurance plans, dental insurance (over 90 percent of premiums are company-paid), and vision coverage. Close Up pays 100 percent of the premiums for life/AD&D insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance, and offers flexible spending and dependent care accounts, a 403(b) retirement savings program, paid vacation/sick days/holidays, paid parental leave, a Metro subsidy or free garage parking, free gym access, and a positive work environment.

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter describing why this position is the right fit for your skills and experience.

Close Up Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

No phone calls or recruiters, please.

Company Overview │ Close Up is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that aims to inform, inspire, and empower young people to become active participants in our democracy. We believe a strong democracy requires engagement by all citizens. Therefore, we seek to reach youth from all communities and all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic level, or academic standing. Since 1971, we have partnered with schools nationwide to serve more than one million students and educators through experiential programs in our nation’s capital and in local communities, professional development for educators, and curriculum and resource design.

Job Summary | The main responsibilities of the customer service coordinator are to help manage relationships, answer questions, resolve issues with customers, and assist internal staff with administrative duties. This person must collaborate with other departments in the planning and coordination of program management to achieve Foundation goals and provide administrative support. This is an in-person position based in the Washington, D.C., area but there is flexibility to telework occasionally.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Help build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing school districts, schools, and educators by providing strong customer service through multiple channels (including phone, email, and chat).
• Resolve inbound inquires promptly and professionally through in-depth knowledge of the Foundation and its services, programs, website, and proprietary database.
• Partner with Outreach teams to support current accounts before program participation.
• Serve as a liaison with other departments concerning all incoming and outstanding participant requests/needs related to the execution of programs.
• Provide quality oversight for all participant requests handled by Customer Service.
• Provide extra support during program weeks on an as-needed basis.
• Troubleshoot issues and escalate to the appropriate department when necessary.
• Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers at all times.
• Manage and update customer records in CRM and other systems.
• Coordinate follow-ups, schedule appointments, and support internal communications as needed.
• Help streamline workflows by identifying and suggesting process improvements.

Qualifications

• College degree and four years of related experience and/or training (or equivalent combination of education and experience in customer service).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing skills.
• Proficiency in MS Outlook and MS Office (intermediate skill in Excel and Word a plus).
• Ability to build and develop relationships and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to multitask, stay organized, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely completion of projects in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to take initiative, demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, work with diversity, and use sound judgment to identify and implement effective solutions.
• Comfort communicating and interacting with all levels of management.
• Availability for evening and weekend programming support, as needed.

Compensation and Benefits | In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Close Up provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes two robust medical insurance plans, dental insurance (over 90 percent of premiums are company-paid), and vision coverage. Close Up pays 100 percent of the premiums for life/AD&D insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance, and offers flexible spending and dependent care accounts, a 403(b) retirement savings program, paid vacation/sick days/holidays, paid parental leave, a Metro subsidy or free garage parking, free gym access, and a positive work environment.

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter describing why this position is the right fit for your skills and experience.

Close Up Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

No phone calls or recruiters, please.

Company Overview │ Close Up is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that aims to inform, inspire, and empower young people to become active participants in our democracy. We believe a strong democracy requires engagement by all citizens. Therefore, we seek to reach youth from all communities and all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic level, or academic standing. Since 1971, we have partnered with schools nationwide to serve more than one million students and educators through experiential programs in our nation’s capital and in local communities, professional development for educators, and curriculum and resource design.

Position Overview | The academic director is part of the Innovation and Programs Department at Close Up and serves as an academic leader for the organization, spearheading the strategic development, refinement, and implementation of innovative classroom curriculum and comprehensive educational resources. The person in this role works closely with senior leadership to drive innovation within our core student and teacher programs by collaborating with the curriculum and programs team. The academic director manages relationships with other civic education organizations, school and district leaders, partners, and funding organizations. The role requires exceptional public speaking and presentation skills to engage and inspire large audiences, as the academic director cultivates high-level partnerships with key leaders across civic education, democracy, and youth development sectors to expand our reach and influence.

Core Responsibilities

• Work with schools, districts, and other organizations to develop classroom curriculum and resources and consult on course design.
• Collaborate with members of the curriculum and programs team to innovate and provide guidance on Close Up’s core programs for middle and high school students.
• Deliver professional development workshops and ongoing instructional coaching to partner schools and districts.
• Deliver professional development workshops and site-based experiential workshops as part of the Close Up Teacher Program in Washington, D.C.
• Build connections with leaders in other civic education, democracy, and youth development organizations.
• Stay up to date with developments in the civic education and democracy nonprofit sector and trends in civics, government, and social studies education at the middle school, high school, and college levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, preferably in a related field such as history, political science, or education.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in classroom education, curriculum design, or youth program design (applicants will be asked to provide a sample portfolio of curriculum design work).
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to write for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively across the organization.
• Passion for Close Up’s mission and civic education.

Compensation and Benefits | In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Close Up provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes two robust medical insurance plans, dental insurance (over 90 percent of premiums are company-paid), and vision coverage. Close Up pays 100 percent of the premiums for life/AD&D insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance, and offers flexible spending and dependent care accounts, a 403(b) retirement savings program, paid vacation/sick days/holidays, paid parental leave, a Metro subsidy or free garage parking, free gym access, and a positive work environment.

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter describing why this position is the right fit for your skills and experience.

Close Up Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

No phone calls or recruiters, please.

Company Overview │ Close Up is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that aims to inform, inspire, and empower young people to become active participants in our democracy. We believe a strong democracy requires engagement by all citizens. Therefore, we seek to reach youth from all communities and all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic level, or academic standing. Since 1971, we have partnered with schools nationwide to serve more than one million students and educators through experiential programs in our nation’s capital and in local communities, professional development for educators, and curriculum and resource design.

Position Overview | Close Up works with approximately 20,000 students and teachers annually, and each of these participants requires transportation, meals, hotel accommodations, and more depending on the type of program they attend. The senior manager of program services, hotel operations, is responsible for securing and overseeing all necessary accommodations for Close Up programming within the hotel, including sleeping rooms, meeting space, meals, and audio-visual setups. In addition to securing all necessary hotel needs, this individual participates in interdepartmental advisory meetings to communicate program progress, addresses hotel budget concerns, and works to improve the customer experience. The position requires frequent in-town travel, some out-of-town travel, and accessibility outside of regular work hours to include nights and weekends.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Contract hotel sleeping room and meeting room space for approximately 20,000 participants each year, primarily in Washington, D.C., but also in locations such as Philadelphia, New York City, Tallahassee, and Austin.
•  Update contracts based on projected enrollment, changes in meeting space needs, and requests from both customers and vendors.
• Act as the point person for Close Up functions during the program year.
•  Work with the vice president of program operations on ways to remain cost-effective on hotel expenditures while maintaining an exceptional customer experience.

Detailed Duties and Responsibilities

• Contract hotel room blocks and meeting space, and manage contracts to ensure compliance.
• Monitor enrollment estimates and revise agreements as necessary to ensure proper space is blocked and to avoid financial penalties.
•  Advise the vice president of program operations on program updates, vendor concerns, and fiduciary matters pertaining to hotel operations.
• Approve purchase orders and banquet event orders for the procurement of meals and meeting space, and monitor the hotel operations budget and adjust counts to keep costs within budget.
• Communicate spatial requirements to hotel event managers and relay assigned hotel space to internal staff for workshop planning and night monitor staffing.
• Design menus and recommend service offering improvements to enhance customer experience and control costs.
• Build and maintain relationships with hospitality vendors.
• Conduct site inspections for the sourcing and vetting of new properties.
• Coordinate pre-conference planning as well as post-conference evaluations.
• Serve as weekend manager on duty 3-4 times per program season.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a four-year degree from a college or university and three years of related work experience or training is required.
• Working knowledge of the hospitality or travel industry is strongly preferred.
• Experience with event planning, hotel contracting, and managing group events/functions is a plus.
• Weekend and off-hour availability, outstanding communication skills, and a proven commitment to customer service are essential.

Compensation and Benefits | In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Close Up provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes two robust medical insurance plans, dental insurance (over 90 percent of premiums are company-paid), and vision coverage. Close Up pays 100 percent of the premiums for life/AD&D insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance, and offers flexible spending and dependent care accounts, a 403(b) retirement savings program, paid vacation/sick days/holidays, paid parental leave, a Metro subsidy or free garage parking, free gym access, and a positive work environment.

To apply, upload a cover letter describing why this position is the right fit for your skills and experience, along with your resume.

No phone calls or recruiters, please.

The Close Up Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.