Sr. Photo Editor

How You’ll Contribute

The Communications division leads the development and execution of integrated communications and marketing strategies to further the mission of the National Geographic Society (the Society) and advance its position as one of the world's most trusted non-profit organizations and global brands. Driven by the Society's vision to be more globally known for its impactful Explorer-led mission programs, the Division's creative and strategic minds develop strategic communications, marketing campaigns, creative, content, and media to promote the Society's strategic plan and key priorities. The Division comprises five departments: Engagement and Marketing Strategy, Brand and Creative, Strategic Communications, Executive Communications, and Content and Editorial.
The Brand and Creative team at the Society is a dynamic and growing group within the Communications division, responsible for overseeing brand strategy, creative direction and brand management with the aim of expressing the brand through myriad formats and channels and zealously protecting the reputation of National Geographic. They collaborate closely with corporate partners, vetting new strategic alliances to ensure they reflect National Geographic values. Through captivating content and experience, the team’s collective work with internal and external teams inspires audiences to take action.
Reporting to the Director of Photography, the Senior Photo Editor is a key member of the Brand and Creative team, working in tandem with the Director of Photography and the team to source and create visual content (primarily stills photography), at the Society’s high brand standard, to communicate the Society’s mission, build enthusiasm for the brand, highlight the work of our Explorers, and compel the Society’s audiences to join its efforts.

Your Impact

Responsibilities include

Photo Editing For Brand and Creative, Communications, Advancement, and Base Camp (45%) 

•  Work closely with Creative Directors, Marketing Directors, Designers, Producers and Director of Photography and Senior Photo Editor to curate photos suitable for the Society Marketing, Brand, Communications, Advancement, and Base Camp projects. Interpret & clarify photo requests, suggest/strategize image solutions (utilizing National Geographic, stock/external-sourced photos or custom photo-shoots), research, edit (including re-sizing and color-correction) and deliver use-ready imagery on a timely basis.

• Maintain the Society’s photo brand standards in the selection of imagery for end-users, asset-management workflow procedures and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Ensure that all necessary rights and releases are secured, proper credit is given and requirements are followed. 

• Initiate required payments procedures for stills imagery used by NGS, as required.

• Work closely with the Brand and Creative team and Director of Photography to identify gaps in photo collection and help strategize solutions for procuring and creating these assets.   

Explorers in the Field Photography - Content Creation (20%) 

• Collaborate with the Director of Photography and key stakeholders within the Explorer Programs and Storytelling teams to strategize and successfully create on-brand situational portraiture of the Explorer in the Field, for Explorer elevation and marketing/communications brand-needs.

• Assist in sourcing photographers to be paired with the Explorer; collaboratively coordinate photoshoot logistics and details, legal agreements.

• Lead and strategize direction of photographers and talent on assigned photo shoots, both on-location and long-arm. 

• Travel may be required as lead in the field during photography shoot with the Explorer and photographer (s).

• Edit, color correction, apply proper metadata and ingest/archive the photography created.

Event Photography Content Creation (20%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Photography and key stakeholders to plan and create photography needed for the Society’s communications, such as special events and donor engagements.

• Recruit, hire, and supervise photographers for coverage as needed.

• Provide photo shoot direction/guidance for photographers and producers for deliverables and creative direction. Lead art direction & overall production of shoots as needed. 

• Fulfill distribution including metadata entry of event-photos selection. Support distribution & archiving of event photo coverage.

• Photographs smaller-scale internal events as needed. Edit, retouch, color-correct, and deliver resulting assets.

Compliance, Organization, and Reporting (15%)

• Advise and implement policy on usage and ensure rights clearance for visual assets in advance of distribution. Work with Legal & Business Affairs to ensure all photography contracts, agreements and copyright laws are followed. Ensure that all necessary rights and model releases are secured, proper credit is given, and all branding and usage requirements are followed.

• Foster collaborative relationships with colleagues working with photo/visual content to ensure policies and procedures are followed, and to strategize content curation and creation.

• Work regularly with data asset management stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of DAM systems to organize, store and retrieve photography media.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in photography, visual arts, digital media or related field.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience
5 years experience as a senior photo editor at a network/publication, studio, or creative agency.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Prior experience in photo editing and working with rights clearance. 

• Sophisticated knowledge of photography technique, aesthetics, history, with a keen eye for images to best promote brand and visual storytelling.

• Demonstrated high-level proficiency in photo-production & creative-process best practices.

• Effective abilities in work-collaboration and communication (oral and written); ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, pay close attention to detail.

• Ability to work cross-divisionally and build rapport with a large, diverse group of professionals from educators to scientists, to fellow creatives, especially photographers.

• Excellent working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, and digital asset management systems. 

• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially and exercise good professional judgment.

• Flexibility to travel to work on location at photo shoots.

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 $ $90,200 - $95,000.

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.