Director, Program (The Future of Food) (Fixed-Term)

$127,000 - $134,000/Yr

National Geographic Society - Washington, DC

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Washington, DC

Publishing Industries

About the position

The Director of Storytelling at the National Geographic Society will lead a new program focused on sustainable agricultural practices, aimed at amplifying the work of National Geographic Explorers and diverse storytellers. This role involves building relationships, developing program strategies, and ensuring timely delivery of program milestones. The position is fixed-term through the summer of 2026 and emphasizes inclusive leadership and collaboration across various divisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain high touch relationships with Explorers leading projects.
• Develop and maintain detailed strategy, annual work plans, and budgets for programs/projects.
• Work with Strategic Insights and Initiatives team to ensure program/project logic models, goals, and impact objectives are calibrated, tracked, and evaluated.
• Regularly track and report on progress, indicators, and impact for projects, communicating activities and key outcomes.
• Oversee repository of project information/resources for project team members.
• Convene all relevant stakeholders to ensure program goals are met on time and on budget.
• Collaborate with science, storytelling, and education colleagues to program a cross-divisional initiative.
• Work with various teams to ensure programmatic needs are met.
• Communicate successes and opportunities of the program within and outside the organization.
• Liaise across departments on project-related content and timelines.
• Manage crosscutting meetings and coordinate program activities across National Geographic.
• Oversee information and communication to internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with program strategy.
• Write and execute contracts with third parties and explorers.
• Collaborate with Communications to draft and deliver program content.
• Lead the updating and editing of project materials and websites as needed.
• Support efforts to raise revenue through philanthropy, grants, and other activities.
• Provide feedback to internal operations teams on process and implementation regarding programmatic work.
• Identify programmatic opportunities for elevation and work with Communications and NGP teams to execute.
• Develop and build strong working relationships with internal cross-disciplinary program teams.
• Support and empower staff to elevate accountability and performance.
• Attend key events as a representative of the project.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific or editorial field preferred; Master's Degree preferred.
• 3+ years of management experience and 10+ years of demonstrated experience in project or program management.
• Experience working in diverse and matrixed teams.
• Understanding of and respect for the value of storytelling to change the world.
• Deep curiosity about the natural world and ideally, experience in a scientific field.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in or knowledge of food systems and agricultural practices.
• Proficiency in a language other than English is preferred.
• Background in Earth sciences, geography, environmental sciences, or natural history.
• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud platform (essential knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Comprehensive wellness program
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months
• Flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave
• 10 days of sick leave
• 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break
• 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 employer subsidy
• Employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit
• National Geographic discounts and perks