Manager, Explorer Elevation

National Geographic • Washington, DC

15d • Hybrid

About The Position

National Geographic Explorers are individuals who receive funding and support from the National Geographic Society (NGS) to illuminate and protect our world through their work in science, education, and storytelling. They are driven by something bigger than themselves. They see the difference between the world as it is and as it could be, and they make a choice to do something about it with courage and conviction. The Explorer Elevation team is in the privileged position of connecting these Explorers to opportunities to share their work and stories with both staff and the public on a variety of platforms including editorial spotlights, social media content, speaking engagements and more at NGS, Disney and external organizations. Our goal is to help amplify the Explorers’ voices and accelerate the impact of their work - in support of both the individuals and the Society’s vision. The Manager, Explorer Elevation is responsible for strategically matching Explorers with communication and storytelling potential to opportunities to spotlight their work, expertise and experiences in multiple ways. The Manager will build relationships with and knowledge about Explorers who are well-suited for these engagements and then liaise with internal groups to evaluate and support their incoming requests for Explorers ensuring that our intentional strategy drives those connections. Internal groups currently include those involved in fundraising and other speaking engagements, executive communications, external award/fellowship nominations and more. Successful candidates will bring an instinct for thoughtful relationship management, a collaborative and flexible mindset, a keen sense of talent identification, steadfast resourcefulness, systems aptitude, research and writing experience, and a passion for helping people who are on the front lines of generating solutions to and telling stories about the world’s most pressing issues. The position reports to the Sr Director, Explorer Elevation.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required.
• 5+ years of experience supporting programs, communications/storytelling, and/or outreach.
• 3+ years experience in a talent management environment.
• Experience in relationship management, talent cultivation and talent pitching as well as placement for events and speaking opportunities.
• Demonstrated experience providing guidance to talent on presentation content and style.
• Highly effective research as well as written and oral communications skills are essential.
• Demonstrated experience in data organization and management.
• Resourceful, collaborative, self-starter who possesses independent, responsive problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and work in a complex organizational structure.
• Ability to work flexibly at all times as part of an internal and extended international team with all levels of staff.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• International experience is a plus.
• Cross-disciplinary knowledge of science, communication, storytelling and media.
• Salesforce and Airtable knowledge a plus

Responsibilities

• Relationship Management (40%): Serve as a point-of-contact for the team for Explorers who have demonstrated an interest in engaging with the Society and a desire and potential to communicate about their work. Foster long-lasting Explorer relationships through regular communications based on respect, transparency, and support. Understand Explorers’ communication goals, manage their expectations and establish two-way feedback and assessment related to elevation opportunities. Build and maintain relationships with and serve as lead point-of-contact for select internal stakeholders during all phases of the Explorer elevation process, including Global Special Events, Membership, various fundraising and other teams. Represent the Elevation team at Explorer trainings and retreats, as needed, including presenting about the team’s work while building relationships with Explorers and other staff.
• Explorer Elevation (40%): Evaluate incoming requests from multiple teams who each have opportunities to highlight Explorers’ work, stories and experiences. Teams could be within NGS, Disney or external organizations and could shift to reflect changing organizational priorities. Support the process for nominating Explorers for external awards, fellowships and other recognitions which includes soliciting Explorer ideas, researching opportunities and related criteria as well as writing nomination statements. Support the Elevation team by managing requests for Explorers from other internal and external stakeholders.
• Systems, Operations and Data Management (20%): Assess and identify Explorers who demonstrate potential for elevation. Contribute ideas for continual refinement of existing processes to move Explorers through our framework. Maintain relevant Explorer data in our team’s database and the CRM. Contribute ideas for refinement to these systems. Maintain elevation data for Explorers who have specific contractual obligations to ensure holistic adherence to all terms. Support the socialization and enforcement of the Explorer Elevation strategy and processes through interactions with the teams you support to ensure transparency, communication and compliance. Monitor and track Explorer activities and accomplishments using social media, Google searches and other tools.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees