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.
Last Wild Places is one of National Geographic Society’s six strategic initiatives. It is a global effort to protect and restore the world’s last remaining large wild landscapes. The program’s objectives are to define and map the last wild places, work with conservation entrepreneurs in these landscapes to increase the scale of their efforts; communicate the importance of the last wild places; and increase governments’ spatial conservation commitments and financial contributions to the natural world. One of the major supporting projects of the Last Wild Places, initiative, and a focus for this position, is the Okavango Wilderness Project which leverages the results of scientific expeditions and surveys to build connections between governments, NGOs and local communities to help inform the planning necessary to achieve the long-term goal of establishing sustainable management of the Okavango watershed’s source rivers in order to protect them for generations to come.
The Senior Manager is expected to oversee and execute projects of the Last Wild Places initiative, including the Okavango Wilderness Project and Last Wild Places Partnerships, as well as provide additional support across all Last Wild Places Projects. This includes working with a cross organizational team, Explorers, field teams, and subject matter experts to ensure all program activities stay on track and are aligned with program outcomes and targets. The position will liaise and lead meetings with internal project teams including Marketing & Engagement, Technology Labs, Education, Partnerships, International, Digital and Grants to assist in metrics and reporting. Working closely with the Director, Last Wild Places and the Metrics and Evaluation team, the position will also be responsible for monthly reporting on program outcomes and targets.
The successful candidate will have experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives, a good grasp of effective conservation strategies, and a proven ability to work with a matrixed team to deliver the desired outcomes.
Program Development and Management. (45%)
- Work with Program Director, other program managers, team members, Explorers/Fellows, subject matter experts, and other key experts to execute program needs and ensure alignment with broader NGS strategy and targets.
- Develop and maintain detailed strategy, annual workplans and associated budgets for individual projects, in collaboration with the Director of Last Wild Places. Ensure accurate budget development, including cash flow projections, and ensure consistent and timely spend down.
- Work with Measurement, Evaluation & Research team to develop and maintain a project logic model to inform project workplan. Ensure project is designed to meet organizational objectives/targets, identifying clear measures of success and clear timelines for deliverables.
- Regularly track and report on progress, indicators, and impact for the project. Communicate relevant information across the organization. This will involve regular communication with partners in the field and making requests for information and project outputs, such as reports and data.
- Maintain repository of project information/resources for team members to access and update as needed.
- Manage across departments for ongoing coordinated strategy across National Geographic Society, including Partnerships/Development, Grants, Marketing & Engagement, NatGeo Labs, Education, Digital, and Operating Programs.
- Assist and oversee other projects as assigned.
Internal Coordination and Communication (20%)
- In partnership with the Impact Media team, coordinate with our media arm – National Geographic Partners – for greatest project impact. Liaise across departments on project-related content and timelines.
- Oversee information and communication to internal stakeholders across the organization and ensure that activities align with program strategy and outcomes.
- Ensure alignment and consistency with scientific findings from research expeditions (informing messaging, inform/alignment with NGP, promotion, media, content use, etc.).
- Regularly present project status to members of the NGS Senior Team to ensure consistent understanding and to obtain approvals as necessary for the project to advance.
Internal Administration (20%)
- Provide logistical and strategy support for the program (assist and facilitate partner meetings, collaborate with scientific experts to develop research plan, etc.), and elevate when/how additional support is needed.
- Manage agenda, scheduling, and coordination for regular internal cross-functional meetings. Disseminate notes and next steps as needed. Manage ongoing project calendar.
- Schedule external meetings and convening events.
- Assist with contracts, legal, presentation preparation, invoicing, mailing, travel and logistics as needed.
Representation and Relationship Management (15%)
- Create and maintain strong working relationships with internal cross-disciplinary team, including National Geographic staff (NGS+NGP) and talent (Explorers, Fellows, advisors).
- Create and maintain strong working relationships with external experts and partners for the project. Coordinate and convene with external experts on technical inputs.
- Attend key events as a representative of the project as required.
- Support other departments and teams for external partnership relationship management (sponsors, corporate partners, media, etc.).
- A minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience within middle to upper management positions. Background in African conservation issues is required.
- Excellent coordination, communication, problem-solving, organizational, leadership, coaching and supervisor skills.
- Strong writing and oral communication skills.
- Exceptional professionalism and ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Demonstrate ability to anticipate problems and find creative solutions to challenging situations.
- Candidate needs to have the ability to perform in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and work with individuals and groups at all levels.
- It is imperative to work as part of a team.
- Focused on quality, and detail-oriented. High analytical skills, be able to see patterns, be a fast thinker and a good decision maker.