Director, User Services (Storytelling)

National Geographic Society•Washington, DC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Storytelling team at the National Geographic Society focuses on expanding the organization's reach through various media including journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. They also identify grantmaking and fellowship opportunities for creative talent, with a particular emphasis on developing the next generation of diverse storytellers. Special Collections preserves and provides access to over 138 years of the Society's history through its extensive archives, including historical documents, maps, oral histories, audio/video recordings, photographs, artifacts, and media assets. The goal is to create a more inclusive narrative by encouraging engagement with these materials. The Director of User Services, reporting to the V.P. of Special Collections, will lead the team in granting users access to physical and digital collections and information resources via online platforms and in-person visits. This role involves developing a strategic vision for User Services, focusing on expanding access, managing legal/ethical/privacy considerations, integrating rights management, enhancing research resources, overseeing a new research facility, analyzing usage data, and promoting collections through exhibitions and digital initiatives. A significant part of this role over the next seven years will be supporting the establishment of a Center for Human Histories and Cultures (CHHC), working with a project team to achieve access, research support, and museum registration goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
10+ years of progressively successful experience in archives, special collections libraries, museums, or similar settings, particularly in a reference and research service, outreach and engagement, instruction or communication capacity.
3+ years demonstrated leadership and program management experience.
Experience leading a reference service or similarly client-focused program
Experience managing and developing systems and resources
Demonstrated commitment to open and equitable access
Understanding of restrictions on use of and access to collections material and how to manage them.
Knowledge of museum practices.
Effective written and verbal communications skills.
Must have attention to detail.
Experience in creating research guides, online learning materials, and training classes.
Experience gathering, analyzing, and reporting on data and metrics and implementing data-driven decision making.
Ability to lead people, work effectively with all levels of management and staff, collaborate across teams, and foster a culture of trust and reciprocity.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

A master's degree from an accredited university with a concentration in Library and Information Science, History, Museum Studies, Social Science, or similar discipline is preferred.
Broad knowledge of National Geographic history, organization, and mission and fields directly related to NGS collections and history preferred, including history of science, travel, exploration, publishing, and photography.
Strong customer service focus, with well-rounded analytical and prioritization skills.
Ability to work well under pressure.
Ability to analyze problems and situations and plan, develop, and implement effective solutions.
Ability to work effectively with all levels of management and staff.
Ability to foster creativity and collaboration within and across teams; ability to build and sustain positive relationships inside and outside the organization.

Responsibilities

Develop and oversee a vibrant reference and research program that promotes National Geographic’s legacy internally and outside NGS through physical and digital collections and information resources and digital technologies that expand impact and improve services.
Present finding aids, digital collections, research services, access procedures, copyright and restrictions, and historical information with clarity and accessibility at the forefront.
With the CHHC Project team and Storytelling program officers, support new programs for storytelling and descendant community grantees.
Oversee collection registration functions, and serve as the strategic liaison with the Society’s museum exhibitions and events teams.
Integrate and improve rights management workflows in partnership with the Legal teams at the Society and Disney partners.
Respond to growing need for rights and reproductions requests internally and externally.
Develop a vision and strategy for unique and excellent services to our partners at Disney and Cengage, and the Society’s community of explorers.
With the CHHC project team, and in close consultation with Campus & Experiences, oversee the refurbishment and operation of a public reading room.
Support the CHHC project team in cultivating deep and engaged relationships with communities, including underserved and/or historically marginalized communities, for purposes of co-creating and co-designing content, programs, and events that resonate with diverse audiences.
Oversees internal reference resources including subscription databases, research tools, and guides, interlibrary loan, and ebook procurement.
Develops capacity to host and collect datasets.
Responsible for user access to systems, the proper maintenance of restrictions, and copyright management within Special Collections’ systems.
Works with Technology, consultants, and CHHC project staff to craft interfaces that promote excellent user experiences and create opportunities for crowd sourcing and other forms of community participation.
With the guidance of the V.P. of Special Collection and in close collaboration with the Special Collections Leadership Team (SCLT), lead long-range planning for a vibrant and effective User Services program.
Develop and maintain business relationships with key stakeholders throughout NGS and Partners at Disney and Cengage.
Work with SCLT and Advancement teams to identify current and new donors with potential for gifts and funding for Special Collections.
Stay up to date on the archival industry best practices.
Represent the National Geographic Society Special Collections at conferences and events.

Benefits

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)
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
a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks