The goal of the National Geographic Society’s Explorer Programs team is to empower our global network of leaders – our Explorers – and accelerate our collective impact towards securing a diverse and healthy planet. We empower our Explorers by elevating them and their work and by developing capacity through leadership training, skills-based training, access to tools and technology and other professional development opportunities.
The Senior Director of Leadership and Training Development is responsible for establishing and fostering a learning and leadership development program to support the National Geographic Society’s network of Explorers (grantees, Fellows, awardees, and other elevated individuals.). Reporting to the VP of Explorer Programs and working in concert with other team members as well as Society divisions (Education, Digital, Storytelling, Marketing and Engagement and HR), the Senior Director is accountable for developing learning resources, programs and leadership development opportunities that are specifically tailored for our Explorer community of scientists, conservationists, storytellers and technologists.
- Set the vision and strategic goals for a holistic leadership, learning and development programs aimed at increasing the leadership effectiveness and amplifying the overall impact of NGS grantees and elevated Explorers. Conduct appropriate needs/gap analysis to determine learning priorities while evaluating relevant trends and best practices, new technologies, and approaches to design and deploy learning and development offerings focused on science and conservation leadership. (25%)
- Strategically design, implement and deliver online and in-person training programs, content, experiences and services for grantees and other NGS Explorers that focus on leadership, exponential idea development and competency development including project management, team effectiveness, relevant technological skills, conservation leadership, community outreach, communication, storytelling, etc. Continuously improve, and measure the impact of the leadership development strategy, courses and programs. (30%)
- Manage planning and execution of leadership development training opportunities. Oversee programming and curriculum development for all training opportunities. Leverage and employ a variety of blended, formal and informal learning methods and technologies, including live classroom/facilitated learning, on-line learning, social forums, collaboration tools and communities of interest with the ultimate goal of contributing to the acceleration and scaling of impact for our community of scientists, conservationists, storytellers and technologists. (30%)
- Establish metrics to evaluate effectiveness and impact of Explorer leadership training programs and ensure timely reporting. Manage budget appropriately and ensure that investments in leadership training and development are made with organizational priorities in mind. (15%)
- 10+ years of work experience in a lead role in learning and development/training.
- Experience with the design, development, and implementation of organizational leadership development strategies.
- Experience in curricula development for scientific and/or conservation-focused constituencies.
- Strong learning management system platform and understanding of instructional design.
- Expertise in delivery of leadership and other training
- Knowledgeable of adult learning theories/principles and blended learning approaches. Experience with various learning methods, pedagogy and technologies specifically in the field of conservation education/training
- Strong project management skills
- Creative thinking and responsive problem solving a must.
- Ability to work with individuals at across organization at multiple organizational levels.
- Flexibility, attention to detail and proactive demeanor extremely important.
- Should be an excellent multi-tasker and a self-starter.
- Cross disciplinary knowledge of science, communication, storytelling and media