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
In June 2018, National Geographic launched the Planet or Plastic? Initiative with the goal of reducing the use of single-use plastic and preventing plastic waste from entering the environment. The National Geographic Society’s Source to Sea Initiative represents the component of Planet or Plastic? that is focused on filling key knowledge gaps, setting scientific baselines, and informing interventions to prevent plastic pollution. The Manager, Operating Programs (Ocean Plastics) will be part of the Impact Initiatives team at National Geographic Society and will support program development.
The Manager will report to the Director of the Plastics Initiative. Candidate must be a versatile and motivated self-starter that has the ability to perform in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment. Must be able to work well independently and as part of a team.
Program Management Support (40%)
- Create and maintain strong working relationships with internal cross-disciplinary program team, external research team, and international media team as a sort of deputy for the Director. Serve as day to day contact with internal divisions on program related content and needs.
- Assist in long-term strategy planning for the initiative, including conducting research to inform future geographic areas and programmatic areas of focus.
- Support Director across all aspects of program management to ensure institutional priorities are met. Includes assisting in workplan development and budget tracking/planning and projections.
- Lead specific components of programs from start to finish where applicable - or pick up on aspects that the Director starts and then rotates on to the next version (ie. expedition planning). Includes execution from strategic planning phase and ensuring related activities and outcomes are aligned with program workplan and objectives.
- Propose and build efficiencies that can be developed for program management of the Ocean Plastics program throughout its duration, and capturing processes and lessons learned to apply to future Reducing Human Footprint programs.
- Build and maintain organizational platforms for key information on the program for both internal and external audiences
Marketing, Communications, Education and Partnerships (30%)
- Collaborate with marketing, communications, digital and education teams to draft program content for newsletters, blog postings, digital materials, marketing and outreach materials. Update and edit project materials and websites as needed.
- Review project related marketing materials and provide approval on behalf of program to external partners, NGP and internal divisions.
- Liaise with project related talent and Explorers on related marketing materials that feature them to ensure their final approval
- Provide support to the Partnerships team on informational needs for funding pitches and meetings, review drafted funding proposals, etc.
- Assist Director in scoping strategic partnerships to support the program, both for funding and programmatic overlap. Conduct background research to inform future potential partnerships as needed.
- Assist Director in arranging programmatic presence at key events and work with Marketing & Engagement to vet potential presentation & speaking opportunities.
Metric Reporting (20%)
- Distribute metrics reports with key learnings to inform future project decisions and activities.
- Monitor project progress and outcomes and map to institutional priorities and targets.
- Help set agenda for biweekly program meetings and compile/distribute updated to the team, maintaining organization of that information on desired platform.
Team, Divisional and Organization Collaboration (10%)
- Schedule and lead external and internal meetings. Assist with contracts, legal, presentation preparation, invoices, mailings, travel and logistics.
- Maintain platforms for internal tracking related to administration.
- Assist in planning and execution of program related events.
- Manage program calendars, GoogleDrive folders, and Wrike page. Maintain schedules and payments for program talent and contractors.
- 5+ years of work experience in program management, administration, sustainability, conservation, or relevant areas.
- Understanding of the plastics stakeholder landscape and key issues within the field preferred.
- Experience in managing large-scale, international conservation programs in a non-profit context or environmental sector also preferred.
- Previous positions involving managing relationships with multiple international partners and widespread teams, with strong proficiency in organizing and communicating between those groups.
- Ability to work well with others and independently as needed (with in-office and remote/international colleagues)
- Experience working under deadlines and managing both long- and short-term projects.
- Ability to deliver both pragmatic and professional information and judgements to a range of groups, balance the needs of multiple priorities at any given time, and be comfortable managing projects independently
- Experience working in Asian countries or with Asian partners and familiarity with local cultural context
- Excellent communication, organizational, presentation, and writing skills
- Experience with GoogleDocs suite, Microsoft Office suite, Keynote, Asana, Slack, and Wrike preferable
- Positive attitude with proactive approach
- Familiarity with plastic pollution issues internationally