Senior Manager, Signature Events

National Geographic • Washington, DC

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Advancement team cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, as well as foundation, government and corporate partners who invest in the Society to drive impact through science, technology, education, exploration, and storytelling. The team collaborates with Society teams – and often works closely with NGP/Disney – to build transformative and impact-driven strategic partnerships. The team also produces global events that deepen connections and leverage the Society’s power to convene, and directs robust annual, major and planned giving programs empowering the Society with a broad base of public support. The Global Special Events team of the National Geographic Society is responsible for developing and producing high quality, impactful events that use the power of convening to drive programmatic outcomes, further visibility for our executives, programs, sponsors and Explorers, and build donor loyalty and philanthropic support. The Senior Manager, Signature Events is responsible for the program management of The Society's Signature Events portfolio. This role will work closely with our agency partners and stakeholders from across the Society to produce the Society’s largest events and experiences that bring our mission to life and connect our Explorers, donors, staff and partners in new and meaningful ways. Additionally, The Senior Manager will also be responsible for creating cross functional collaboration to ensure a cohesive, high quality event experience and measurable impact against the Society’s mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 7+ years experience with in-person meeting or event planning, or relevant experience at a non profit or mission driven organization.
• Ability to build strong working relationships and foster trust with team members and vendors
• Effective written and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely to varied audience types in meetings and at events.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and sound judgment to find creative solutions and take action.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize tasks under deadline and manage one's own time efficiently.
• Ability to work on highly collaborative teams with interdependent tasks.
• Strong interpersonal skills; Ability to work with diplomacy and tact at all times.
• Ability to support evening and weekend events, as well as travel domestically or internationally to support on-site event execution. (10-15%). Role will include multiple week long events primarily taking place in Washington, D.C with some travel required for other events.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with managing medium - large, complex conferences with different audiences and stakeholders in a non-profit environment.
• Experience translating mission driven messaging into event materials and activations.
• Experience working with travel and hospitality related elements of events for over 100 attendees - hotels, travel agents, caterers, venues.
• Experience working with creative teams and outside agencies
• Experience working with production elements of an event - Audio Visual, Facilities, Security, Decor and Rental companies.
• Comfort facilitating meetings
• Enthusiasm for sustainability and accessibility practices for events is a plus.
• Experience with event registration platforms, Swoogo is a plus.
• Able to calibrate tone and approach for the unique needs of multiple audience types ranging from Donors and Senior Executives to grantees, Employees and general attendees.

Responsibilities

• Oversee logistics for 2-3 multi-day, multi-venue hybrid summits and events which may include Storytellers Summit, Explorers Festival and International Explorers Festival.
• Act as liaison to the production agency to bring together appropriate audiences for production plans and approvals.
• Manage additional high profile events as needed throughout the year for priority audiences including, receptions, dinners, film screenings, meetings and gatherings.
• Coordinate plans across planning and execution teams ensuring that all elements adhere to the NGS brand, meet the Society’s standards and expectations and consider all audience needs and activities in addition to budget and meeting planning best practices.
• Coordination of logistics for events as needed which will vary but may include venue, hotel, AV, catering, content production, copy development, environmental fabrication, transportation, travel and printing.
• Steward budget compliance focusing on clear tracking, efficient spending and thoughtful allocation of resources.
• Work with legal and finance to process contracts and payments for vendors as needed.
• Create and implement staffing plans, volunteer schedules and training programs.
• Source and Negotiate contracts for venues and vendors using formal and informal RFP processes.
• Facilitate meetings internally and externally - building agenda’s, taking thorough notes and leading discussions with stakeholders across the organization.
• Support travel needs and communication for cohorts of Explorers, speakers and VIP’s.
• Build strong relationships across the society to foster trust and collaboration.
• Develop working knowledge of the Society’s mission and each division's priorities.
• Oversee communication across the planning teams to share information and support the team.
• Manage internal stakeholders that host elements of each event; tracking and fulfilling their needs, aligning expectations across the society and supporting each group's needs for shared success through thoughtful execution.
• Develop concise briefing documents and presentations for Senior Leadership, attendees, partners, sponsors and Staff
• Brief stakeholders on key event updates, changes and insights throughout the planning process.
• Participate in planning team meetings and pre-event briefings.
• Work with vendors to identify clear and efficient processes that result in successful engagements.
• Filter clear communication between internal stakeholders, vendors and departmental leadership.
• Provide backup support to the team managing Swoogo and overseeing the registration process.
• Work with marketing and registration specialists to implement promotion strategy.
• Represent the signature events team on Global Special Events working groups.

Benefits

• The 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 accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more.
• At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
• In addition, the 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 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees