How You’ll Contribute
The National Geographic Society Storytelling Mission Program works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. As the largest funder to individual storytellers in this work, it also identifies key grantmaking and fellowship opportunities with creative talent. The division’s Impact Story Lab (ISL) builds on National Geographic’s legacy as a global leader in using storytelling to drive positive change. The ISL produces world-class film, audio, photography, VR/AR experiences, and other media that furthers the goals of the organization and its programs. By combining creative excellence with groundbreaking research, ISL advances the field of “impact media” and contributes to National Geographic Society’s mission of illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world.Your Impact
Responsibilities:
Departmental Operation Strategy (40%): Lead the creation and continued improvement of workflows for three unique bodies of work: Explorer Programs, Museum of Exploration Media, and Institutional Video Services, each with different intake, budgeting, production, and feedback systems. With the Vice President, lead the annual budget creation, quarterly forecasting, and regular reporting of departmental budget.
Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to design align ISL processes with NGS policies, protocols, and procedures. Ensure legal and insurance compliance for all productions. Investigate and implement technologies and software that will support the functioning of all work on the team. Work with ISL leadership and producers to define technical requirements and standards (acceptable camera choices, editing systems, archiving technologies) in accordance with industry standards.
Team Leadership (25%): Supervise a large and multi-disciplinary team of creative staff to ensure efficiency, quality, and professional development. Build and manage teams in accordance with the needs of each project. Oversee hiring of contractors and external vendors, negotiating agreements, executing contracts, and managing payments. Invest time in mentoring staff to ensure their professional growth.
Project Management (25%): Lead budgeting and scheduling for all ISL projects. Work with ISL leadership and Producers to create and manage project budgets and schedules, ensuring efficiency and quality. Ensure team accountability to budgets, schedules, and processes for each project.
External Partnerships (10%): Work with Impact Story Lab leadership to contribute to departmental and project strategy in order to achieve the impact goals. Work across National Geographic Society, our Explorer community, National Geographic Partners/Disney, and with key external partners to collaborate on production, distribution, and impact initiatives in order to maximize the impact of the department’s programs and projects. Be engaged and aware of the latest developments in the field of impact media and leverage that knowledge to position the Impact Story Lab at the forefront of the field.
Educational Background
Bachelor's degree required.
Minimum Years and Types of Experience
10+ years of experience leading operations for film and media teams
3+ years staff management experience
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to learn quickly and adapt to new situations
Understanding of operations of media production is required.
While in-depth technical skills are not required, the Production Manager must be familiar with all aspects of production so that they can communicate effectively with the production team.
Excellent collaboration skills
Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and complex working relationships.
Able to work proactively to solve problems.
Excellent written, verbal, communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills are required.
Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Supervision
3+ direct reports
Salary Information
The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.
The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
The salary range for this position is $118,700.00 - $131,200.00.In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.
Job Designation
Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.