The GeoChallenge Manager works within National Geographic’s Education division as a lead member of the Experiences staff, overseeing all aspects of the GeoChallenge program. The manager leads the annual GeoChallenge, a program designed to challenge middle school students’ problem-solving skills, reward collaboration, and encourage creativity and effective communication. The manager oversees the theme determination and the content production of the challenge for school, state, and national levels, ensuring it adheres to the Learning Framework. The manager also oversees the creation and maintenance of GeoChallenge policy, rules, and submission protocols, and works closely with marketing, development, digital, video, evaluation, and legal teams. This position reports to the VP, Experiences.
- Lead the content creation of the annual school GeoChallenge. Coordinating with other Society units, determine a GeoChallenge topic and structure that appeals to middle school students and teachers and promotes Society mission, goals, and focus areas. Hire contract content experts, editors, writers, and researchers, as needed. Project-manage the creation of the school GeoChallenge from inception to implementation and evaluation. (30%)
- Lead the creation of the state level GeoChallenge experience. Lead the process for creating and implementing a vision for the GeoChallenge event within the context of state festivals. Responsible for appraisal rubric creation and administration, including recruiting and training local appraisers. Work closely with the festival manager, regional staff, event coordinators, and volunteers to coordinate staffing, space, student safety, and event needs for a GeoChallenge experience in designated locations. (25%)
- Design and implement national multiple-day programming for culmination of GeoChallenge. Lead efforts to design programming modules and to determine locale, arrange staffing, recruit explorers, recruit volunteers and collaborate with media production teams. (25%)
- Create and manage budgets, arrange payments to contractors, work with evaluation team on systematic reviews, collect data on reach and impact, and support fundraising efforts. (15%)
- Stay current on NGS mission and values, and participate in department-wide initiatives. Stay up-to-date on research and development in K-12 education, and educational technology. (5%)
Minimum Years and Type of Experience
- 5+ years experience working in K-12 education with a preference for experience in informal education. Experience with academic competitions, challenges, and cultivating creativity, collaboration, and innovation a plus.
Knowledge and Skills Required
- Excellent written, verbal, and digital communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and work under deadlines. Creativity and ability to lead development process including department colleagues and others from across the organization.
- Ability to tend to multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience and knowledge about education best practices, particularly project-based learning.
- Proficiency with software including Microsoft Office, Mac OS, and at least familiarity with Adobe products.
- Collaborative team player, capable of working independently and being resourceful when required.
National Geographic's headquarters is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. In addition to a unique and dynamic work environment, National Geographic offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental benefits, generous vacation and leave time, a 401(k) plan, and flexible work options. National Geographic is an Equal Opportunity Employer