Sr. Manager, Partnership Communications

How You’ll Contribute

The Campaign Engagement and Marketing team drives the strategy, development, and execution of a major, multiyear comprehensive fundraising campaign, encompassing all donor engagement activities, including stewardship, recognition, and volunteer leadership. This is achieved through three key functions working seamlessly:

Advancement Marketing converts brand awareness into philanthropic growth by inspiring donors with compelling content, innovative strategies, and stewardship that highlights impact.

Campaign Engagement oversees all campaign initiatives including donor recognition and events.

Partnership Communications develops high-impact proposals and executes deliverables for donors and partners.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Partnership Communications, the Senior Manager, Partner Communications develops and directs impactful and innovative communications campaigns that support institutional partnership development, advance the Society’s goals and programmatic priorities, and demonstrate the tangible value of the National Geographic brand and mission to philanthropic supporters and prospects.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Partnership Communications Strategy (40%)

Serve as strategic advisor and thought partner to the Senior Director, Partnership Communications in support of creative and compelling multiplatform marketing campaigns that engage, retain, and grow corporate, government, and foundation supporters.

Collaborate with Advancement (particularly the Institutional Partnerships team) and Centralized Communications to co-create strategies, content, and collateral that build momentum, excitement, and commitment with high-touch partners and prospects.

Work with Advancement Marketing and other internal stakeholders to create presentations, communications case studies, and other collateral demonstrating how impact work is supported by partners and prospects.

Contribute to the development of presentations, solicitations, case studies, and other communications materials that demonstrate the value of the Society’s mission and impact work to current and prospective institutional supporters.

Develop, implement, and manage workflows and SOPs to activate, track, and report on partnership communications benefits, deliverables, and engagements.

Partnership Relationship Management and Activation (50%)

Serve as a partner-facing Communications Relationship Manager for 7–10 current and 3–5 prospective partners, working closely with the Advancement Relationship Manager and directly with partners to operationalize and deliver discrete communications activities.

For assigned partnerships: leverage storytelling techniques to develop a clear communications strategy that creates an emotional connection with prospective and current donors, compels their support, and delivers upon contracted recognition benefits.

Budget, Agreement & Contract Management (10%)

Work closely with the Senior Director, Partnerships Communications, to manage dedicated communications and marketing budgets for funded impact partnerships.

Oversee Centralized Communications division review, approval, and tracking of gift agreements, licensing agreements, and other contracts, coordinating with requesters and stakeholders to ensure accuracy and compliance with Society standards and securing timely approvals.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred (Communications, Marketing, Business, etc.)

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

7+ years of experience in marketing or communications, preferably in a non-profit environment

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present a broad range of concepts clearly and compellingly

Experience developing and executing targeted communications strategies to attract and engage specific audiences

Deep understanding of current marketing and communications techniques and best practices, especially within the nonprofit or CSR/ESG sector

Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Self-starter with ability to plan and lead projects independently from concept to launch

Excellent professional judgment and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately

Desired Qualifications

Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, InCopy) preferred

Experience supervising vendors and processes

Experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud products

Supervision

No direct reports, but may supervise marketing agencies, media buying contractors, etc.

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Compensation is based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

Salary range for this position: $95,000 – $100,000

The Society also provides a comprehensive benefits package including:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Wellness program

401(k) plan with employer matching

Flexible paid time off (up to 22 days annual leave, prorated for new hires), 10 sick days, 12 holidays, and paid winter break

Paid parental leave, adoption/surrogacy reimbursement, and fertility benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Lifestyle Spending Account, pet adoption assistance, pre-tax transportation benefits

Employer-paid life insurance and disability benefits

Various National Geographic discounts and perks

Job Designation

Hybrid: Staff work at Base Camp two days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday) with the option for additional days.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The Society encourages applicants even if their experience does not perfectly match the position. Relevant skills and experience are the priority.

Apply here