Sr. Director, Special Projects

How You’ll Contribute

The Senior Director, Special Projects will help expand the reach and mission of the Society through new growth initiatives. The Senior Director will also be charged with helping to expand the National Geographic brand through The Walt Disney Company in collaboration with the Society’s senior leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer of the Society, the position will collaborate across the organization to help execute innovative and impactful ideas to amplify our mission and drive additional funding to the Society.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Revenue and Partnerships (60%)

• Collaborate with third parties to understand the current D.C. leasing and hotel markets. 

• Support efforts with The Walt Disney Company to generate more profit from various business lines (e.g., expeditions, consumer products, magazine), and explore new licensing opportunities to expand the brand’s reach globally.

• Partner with the Special Collections and IT teams to develop a plan to digitize the archives and explore content monetization options for the Society.

• Partner with the Vice President, Strategy and Revenue on sustainable new revenue streams including campus programming and experiences at headquarters.

• Partner with the Vice President, Institutional Partnerships to assess new ventures.

• Successfully integrate new ideas into the organization once operational.

Market Trends and Research (40%)

• Drive research efforts to help develop best uses plan for 17th street building; potential elements include conference/event space, Storytellers Collective meeting rooms, office space for tenants, lodging floors, restaurant, etc.  

• Advise the Chief Financial and Operating Officer and the Society’s leadership team on trends that could create opportunities and/or challenges for the organization.

• Attend events and conferences to expand relationships and communicate the mission and work of the Society, as needed.
   

What You’ll Bring 

Educational Background

MBA Required

Minimum Years and Type of Experience   

12+ years of experience working across strategy and finance with 3 years of asset management experience in hospitality. The ideal candidate will have worked as a management consultant and will have a strong knowledge of licensing deals. Experience supporting business development efforts with high profile and global brands. 

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Developing proforma models and conducting ROI analysis of new business initiatives.

• Evaluating hotel profitability and investment projects.

• Negotiating contract amendments to maximize company value.  

• Experience developing presentations for senior leadership and board level audiences

• Knowledge of media platforms including print, digital, film and social media. 

• Ability to manage projects across many touch points within and outside an organization.

• Ability to work collaboratively across a broad range of stakeholders.

• Demonstrate creativity with customer engagement and problem solving.

• Team player who can collaboratively and methodically move strategic efforts forward.

• Ability to work in a multi-phase project environment with shifting priorities.

• Possess strong project management skills and the ability to communicate status of work clearly and effectively.

• Proficiency in both the Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace tools 

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $204,200 - $215,000.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.