Manager, Rights and Reproductions (Storytelling)

National Geographic Society•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Storytelling team works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. As one of the largest funders to individual storytellers in this work, it also identifies key grantmaking, and fellowship opportunities with creative talent. Much of the team's programmatic activity is focused on identifying and building capacity for the next generation of diverse storytellers. Reporting to the Director of Outreach and Engagement, the Manager of Rights and Reproductions plays a key role in managing intellectual property rights, licensing, and other rights-related matters within the Society’s Special Collections. This role involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Society’s Legal team, Campus and Experiences, and partners at Disney and Cengage. Key responsibilities include overseeing reproduction and use requests, managing licensing agreements, and contributing to the strategic development of rights management policies and workflow improvements, ensuring compliance with copyright and usage rights while promoting responsible access, distribution, and reuse of collection materials. Your Impact Responsibilities Rights Research and Management (70%) Oversee the interpretation, application, and communication of copyright, intellectual property, and usage rights related to collection materials based on guidance from Legal and Business Affairs (LBA). Assess and document rights status for collection items, including public domain status, donor agreements, cultural restrictions and sensitivities, and third-party rights with input from LBA. Assist Special Collections and LBA staff with licensing agreements for new acquisitions. Conduct quality control review on assets before sharing with users to ensure alignment with use agreements and rights management/access policies. Conducts preliminary rights clearance research and asset delivery (contracts, footage, and other materials in Special Collections’ care) to facilitate decisions in Legal and Business Affairs (LBA) regarding asset use and support documentation by media, communications, and production teams. Collaborate with Special Collections leadership and other internal stakeholders to streamline and coordinate rights evaluation through unified collections and digital asset management systems. Track audience usage and feedback. Assist Senior Manager, Reference and Research in ensuring that all rights and licensing requests are properly scoped, documented and tracked and all research workflows are efficient, transparent and collaborative. Training and Outreach (20%) Advise staff and stakeholders on rights-related issues, including fair use, open access, orphan works, and risk management. Collaborate with the Senior Manager, Reference and Research to develop clear guidance and resources for researchers (internal and external) navigating use/access of Special Collections materials. Policy and Process Development (10%) Develop and maintain internal policies, procedures, and workflows for rights and reproductions, ensuring alignment with access standards, production and media team needs, and LBA approval.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
5+ years of progressive responsibility in an Archives, Special Collections, museum, or similar setting with demonstrated experience in rights management, copyright, and intellectual property.
Broad knowledge of National Geographic history, organization, and mission.
Demonstrated experience in rights management, digital project management, or contracts negotiation, preferably in a museum, archive, or library setting.
Thorough knowledge of copyright and intellectual property law and professional standards of practice.
Demonstrated experience with digital asset management systems.
Strong customer service focus, with well-rounded analytical and prioritization skills.
Ability to work well under pressure.
Demonstrated commitment to open and equitable access.
Ability to collaborate effectively within and across diverse teams.
Effective written and verbal communications skills with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Oversee the interpretation, application, and communication of copyright, intellectual property, and usage rights related to collection materials based on guidance from Legal and Business Affairs (LBA).
Assess and document rights status for collection items, including public domain status, donor agreements, cultural restrictions and sensitivities, and third-party rights with input from LBA.
Assist Special Collections and LBA staff with licensing agreements for new acquisitions.
Conduct quality control review on assets before sharing with users to ensure alignment with use agreements and rights management/access policies.
Conducts preliminary rights clearance research and asset delivery (contracts, footage, and other materials in Special Collections’ care) to facilitate decisions in Legal and Business Affairs (LBA) regarding asset use and support documentation by media, communications, and production teams.
Collaborate with Special Collections leadership and other internal stakeholders to streamline and coordinate rights evaluation through unified collections and digital asset management systems.
Track audience usage and feedback.
Assist Senior Manager, Reference and Research in ensuring that all rights and licensing requests are properly scoped, documented and tracked and all research workflows are efficient, transparent and collaborative.
Advise staff and stakeholders on rights-related issues, including fair use, open access, orphan works, and risk management.
Collaborate with the Senior Manager, Reference and Research to develop clear guidance and resources for researchers (internal and external) navigating use/access of Special Collections materials.
Develop and maintain internal policies, procedures, and workflows for rights and reproductions, ensuring alignment with access standards, production and media team needs, and LBA approval.

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) 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
a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks