A member of the Chief Scientist’s senior team, the Vice President (VP) of Grants has overall strategic and operational oversight responsibility for National Geographic Society’s grants programs across the three focal lenses of Human Journey, Wildlife & Wild Places, and Changing Planet. Since 1888, the National Geographic Society has been pushing boundaries to explore and document our world, supporting more than 13,000 grant projects. The objective of the grants program is to attract and support exceptional innovators and leaders, generate new knowledge to deliver on the vision of the Society and bring a globally diverse group of grantees into our Explorer community. The grants program is centrally managed and organized by the three Lens areas to support conservation, education, research, storytelling, and technology.
The VP of Grants will work closely with the VP of Operating Programs to align grantmaking activities with programmatic priorities in order to achieve National Geographic Society’s ambitious targets that will deliver on the organization’s mission. The VP will oversee all aspects of NGS Grants strategic planning, management, partnership development, and program performance and evaluation, and is responsible for ensuring that grants are meeting the Society’s diversity goals for demographics, disciplines, and project geographies. The VP will collaborate across the organization to secure resources, maximize outcomes, and ensure direct support of National Geographic Society flagship programs and priorities
- Oversee the strategic development, and operations of grant programs, including external grant committees, and regularly evaluate portfolios to meet and exceed quantitative targets. Demonstrate consistent quality of reporting, communications, and systems, and recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve organizational goals. Attract, develop, coach and retain high performance team members, empowering them to elevate their level of responsibility and performance. Provide leadership in the development of inter-team communication and cohesiveness, supporting staff and cultivating a culture of empowerment and accountability. (50%)
- Relationship Management. Work closely with National Geographic Society’s Development team to expand revenue generation and fundraising activities to support NGS grant programs, cultivating existing relationships and developing new funder relationships. Identify, cultivate and maintain productive, ongoing relationships with high-impact communities and partners; identify key opportunities for amplifying the impacts of NGS grants; and oversee efforts to increase awareness of grants programs and associated outcomes. Publicly represent National Geographic Society and build excitement for the mission. (30%)
- Knowledge Management. Work with Science & Explorations Operations team and Research and Evaluation team to develop the necessary systems, processes, and tools to effectively manage grants, and better support the facilitation, collection, and sharing of knowledge – internally and externally – that is generated by National Geographic Society grants. (20%)
- 12+ years of related experience.
Knowledge and Skills Required
- Highly developed oral and written communications skills and ability to work with groups at all levels; budget management and planning experience; international knowledge and experience working with NGOs and government organizations.
- Extremely effective in building teams and consensus across a broad range of groups.
- Must have strong scientific credentials, be an excellent communicator.
- Experienced at managing projects on time and on budget.
Supervision
- 10-15 staff.
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