The National Geographic Society is an impact-driven global nonprofit organization that pushes the boundaries of exploration to further our understanding of our planet and empower us all to generate solutions for a more sustainable future.
For 130 years, we’ve funded groundbreaking scientists and explorers and shared their findings with the world. We sponsored Hiram Bingham as he brought back stories from Machu Picchu, documented Robert Ballard’s quest to find the Titanic, and supported Jane Goodall’s study of chimpanzee behavior.
The Society’s ultimate goal is a planet in balance, and NGS believes that advancing understanding through education and empowerment provides the greatest hope for addressing the enormous challenges of the 21st century. In the upcoming years, NGS will focus the full complement of the organization’s assets and strengths on six impact-driving priorities. These Impact Initiatives focus on understanding who we are; the impact we are having on the planet; the importance of valuing and protecting species and ecosystems; the accelerating threat of climate change; and the need to lower human consumption. One of these six initiative is Life at the Extremes, an effort to explore and understand Earth’s poorly known life support systems (e.g., mountains providing water, deep ocean’s effect on climate, tropical forests storing carbon, etc.); document how they are changing; and define the implications for people and wildlife. High-profile expeditions to each environment will highlight these systems and generate new knowledge. Digital representations of the expedition sites will also be created enabling people to explore virtually. In addition, visually compelling indices will be produced to help monitor the vital signs of these systems in perpetuity. Finally, Fellows will be supported to develop solutions to address the threats facing each system.
Reporting to the Senior Program Manager for Life at the Extremes, the Coordinator provides administrative and project support for the projects and expeditions within the Life at the Extremes initiative. This position coordinates internal meetings, external events, plans domestic and international travel, makes payments to outside vendors and contractors, and related follow-up. The Coordinator also assists in the development of presentation materials, background research, monthly and quarterly reports, and other activities in support of the initiative and at the direction of the Senior Program Manager and VP for Life at the Extremes.
- Administrative Support. Provides administrative support to the Life at the Extremes initiative on the day-to-day management of contractors and programmatic activities. This includes payments to outside vendors, meeting scheduling, event/meeting planning, travel planning and related follow-up. (50%)
- Project Management support. Support the development and management of key projects. Work with team members, Explorers, subject matter experts and other key stakeholders to execute project needs. Liaise with internal divisions and external partners on project-related content and needs. (40%)
- Research and Analysis. Perform, as needed, research on potential partner organizations, program subject areas, and experts – including National Geographic grantees – in the scientific disciplines relevant to projects within the initiative. (10%)
- Candidate should have 2-3 years work experience supporting programs or process management role.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills, excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail.
- Creative thinking and responsive problem-solving.
- Flexibility, attention to detail, and proactive demeanor.
- Ability to be a self-starter, operate independently, multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
- Good computer skills across suite of office computer programs including Microsoft Word and Excel and Keynote/PowerPoint, and experience conducting online, library, and archival research.
- Demonstrated interest in the priority areas of the National Geographic Society.