Director, Strategic Communications

How You’ll Contribute

The Communications Division leads the development and execution of integrated communications and marketing strategies to further the mission of the National Geographic Society and advance its position as one of the world’s most trusted non-profit organizations and global brands. Driven by the Society’s vision to be more globally known for its impactful Explorer-led mission programs, the Division’s creative and strategic minds develop strategic communications, marketing campaigns, creative, content, and media to promote the Society’s strategic plan and key priorities. The Division comprises five departments: Engagement and Marketing Strategy, Brand and Creative, Strategic Communications, Executive Communications, and Content and Editorial.

The Director, Strategic Communications is responsible for raising visibility of the Society as an impact-driven nonprofit and advancing the Society’s overall narrative through a comprehensive communications strategy anchored by major institutional announcements, including key fundraising milestones, grant making investments and new National Geographic Explorer cohorts. The Director, Strategic Communications also supports the communications goals related to the Society’s strategic plan, NG Next. In addition to leading the team focused on generating visibility for the Society through earned and owned media, the Director, Strategic Communications plays a key role in message development, reputational communications and crisis communications.

Your Impact

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

• Develop and oversee the execution of an annual strategic communications plan that secures visibility — proactively and reactively — for the National Geographic Society across a variety of earned and owned media channels. Actively engage, cultivate and manage internal and external relationships — including with press — to ensure high-quality coverage and amplification of major institutional announcements and opportunistic elevation of newsworthy milestones from the Society and our community of Explorers. (40%)

• Lead the development of all external positioning and messaging strategies for NGS. Create and implement a messaging platform to be leveraged across narrative-building activities and external outreach. Draft, review and approve external-facing communications, including talking points, speeches, press releases, blog posts and social media posts. (20%)

• Advise on all matters related to reputational and crisis communications. Development mitigation strategies for challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. (15%)

• Create and lead media training sessions for National Geographic spokespeople, including executives and Explorers. Oversee the development of media training materials that highlight the Society’s overarching narrative. (10%)

• Manage a team to support the execution of the visibility strategy. Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities and conduct annual performance appraisals  (15%).

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree required.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience   

10+ years of communications and/or PR experience at an agency or in-house corporate communications

3+ years of management experience

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to identify compelling narratives, develop clear messaging and tell stories that demonstrate impact.
• Excellent news judgment, media relations skills and crisis communications skills.
• Excellent understanding of the changing media landscape, including media relations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work with a variety of constituents ranging from executives and Explorers to government officials and corporate partners.
• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially and exercise good professional judgment.
• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to mentor team members effectively.
• Ability to work some late nights and weekends and periodic national and international travel.

Desired Qualifications

• Proven track record of securing earned media
• PR agency experience and/or managing a PR agency a plus
• Strong relationships with journalists — especially those covering science, the environment, education and/or nonprofits, within the U.S. and internationally — a plus

Supervision

2-3 Direct Reports

Salary Information

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 is $133,000 – $158,000

Pay offered to candidates will be based on several factors including but not limited to industry-based or other relevant work experience, education, skills, certifications, and training.

In addition, 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; 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.

Learn more here