Director of Programs

Director of Programs

Do you thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment? Are you passionate about using technology for social good and excited to usher in a new field of storytelling and communications? Do you bring clarity and operational savvy to everything you touch? Agog, a groundbreaking philanthropic organization at the intersection of technology, communications, and social impact, is seeking a Director of Programs to lead, manage, and expand our programmatic efforts.

About Agog

We’re agog. That’s not just our name. It’s how we feel about a whole new form of media that is quickly emerging. Agog: The Immersive Media Institute is helping creators and nonprofit leaders harness the power of extended reality (XR) technologies, like virtual reality and augmented reality, to open new avenues for empathy, understanding, and activism. We believe these new tools can help put humanity on a trajectory to a better future. Agog supports a diverse, thriving field of XR for social good; we focus on climate change, food justice, Indigenous knowledge, and human-rights issues. Founded by Wendy Schmidt and Chip Giller, and guided by an accomplished advisory board, Agog is poised for big impact as an ecosystem-builder across the nonprofit sector, the XR industry, philanthropy, academia, and more.

About the Role

The Director of Programs will manage and motivate a growing team, and help shape and implement Agog’s programmatic strategy, which includes a focus on community engagement and grantmaking, ensuring collaboration across Agog’s XR production, marketing and communications, and other teams. This senior leadership position reports to the Chief of Programs and Strategy and will oversee direct reports in community engagement, grantmaking, and project management. The role requires an understanding of the intersection of tech and philanthropy, exceptional people management skills, an understanding of program leadership, and a passion for the mission. 

U.S.-based remote role with a strong preference for candidates based in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, or Seattle.

The Director of Programs is a key people manager at Agog and will play a pivotal role in helping Agog achieve our mission across the following areas:

Program Leadership and Strategy Responsibilities

• Oversee the team that manages Agog’s grantmaking, community engagement, and other program delivery efforts, ensuring that each program contributes to a thriving XR-for-social-good ecosystem.
• Partner with other senior leaders, including the Head of Production and Head of Marketing and Communications, to ensure cross-organizational collaboration and identify new opportunities for Agog to deepen its impact.
• Collaborate with the Chief of Programs and Strategy and Chief of Staff on ongoing strategic planning and management of Agog’s overall programmatic function.
• Help translate vision into program design, operationalizing new initiatives and opportunities as the rise.

Management Responsibilities

• Translate strategic goals into workplans and establish KPIs to build alignment and measure impact.
• Manage the program team to support their professional development and build a culture of collaboration and accountability 
• Identify roles and responsibilities across the program team when new opportunities arise, including assigning project managers to initiatives as needed.
• Ensure the team is staying on track, identifying where adjustments need to be made to respond to the evolving environment of immersive media and social change.
• Model effective leadership and help create a team culture based on mutual support and shared accountability for results
• Drive quarterly and annual planning and oversee budgeting for the program team.

Knowledge Sharing and Thought Leadership Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue opportunities for Agog to publish reports and case studies, and otherwise open-source our learnings from programmatic initiatives.
• Work closely with the marketing and communications team to amplify program successes, positioning Agog as an important hub in the XR space.

Desired Knowledge & Experience (the ideal candidate will have):

• Proven success in program leadership, nonprofit management, philanthropy, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience designing and scaling social impact programs
• Strong knowledge of XR, immersive media, or emerging technologies and their potential for social impact
• Ability to translate high-level strategic goals into actionable program plans with measurable outcomes
• Experience leading multi-stakeholder initiatives, ensuring alignment across teams and partners
• Exemplary emotional intelligence and cultural humility, demonstrating self-awareness, empathy, and respect for diverse perspectives
• A startup mentality; comfortable being all-hands-on-deck and diving into the details of the work
• Strong program management skills, with the ability to oversee complex initiatives and manage competing priorities
• Background in any of Agog’s focus areas – climate change, food justice, indigenous knowledge, and human rights – is a plus
• Ability to travel as needed for conferences, convenings, and partner and team meetings
• Genuine excitement and optimism about the potential for XR to change our world for the better

$200,000 - $250,000 a year

We Offer

• A competitive salary range commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package
• An opportunity to be part of a mission-driven organization creating positive social impact
• Work in a collaborative and dynamic environment
• A commitment to nurturing your talent and investing in your success
• The chance to be at the forefront of the immersive media revolution

We value a variety of perspectives and a broad range of skillsets, knowing that our differences drive innovation and enrich our organizational culture. We are committed to creating an inclusive work environment where every unique background and experience contributes to our collective success.

How to Apply

Please provide your resume and a cover letter that expresses both your passion for Agog’s mission and fit for the role to Amy Segelin, Chaloner Associates. The application link can be found at www.chaloner.com.

This is an exempt position.