Sr. Manager, Strategic Communications

How You’ll Contribute

The Communications, Marketing, and Brand team uses creative and strategic tools to further the mission of the National Geographic Society , while maintaining our place as one of the world’s most trusted non-profit organizations and global brands. The team’s creative minds develop and execute mission-driven, on-brand strategies and integrated strategic communications, marketing, creative and audience growth for the National Geographic Society and unifying our efforts across our owned channels, through owned channels, outside partners and earned media. The team is composed of seven integrated departments: Creative, Integrated Brand Marketing, Partnerships Marketing, MarCom Operations and Internal Communications, Strategic Communications, Executive Communications, and Crisis Communications and Public Relations.

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Communications, the Senior Manager, Strategic Communications will oversee communications planning and execution for a number of Explorer-led programs. This position will direct the strategy and implementation of outreach and engagement and will amplify the right message, at the right time, to the right audience in support of the goals of the National Geographic Society, the Communications, Marketing, and Brand team and the programmatic teams. The Senior Manager will also champion the Society’s mission, ensuring all communications reflect the brand’s voice and messaging.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

Communications Strategy (45%): 

• Develops and directs comprehensive communications strategies, working collaboratively with programmatic teams, communications, marketing and brand colleagues and external partners, to advance understanding and support for the Society’s Explorer-led programs and the overall profile of the Society’s mission. 

• Manages a consistent messaging platform, including the development of messaging tool kits to ensure related Society leadership, staff, Explorers and external partners are well equipped to deliver our impact messaging.
   

Media Outreach and Engagement (40%): 

• Proactively directs external media relations and outreach to broaden awareness of key Explorer-led programs and increases the visibility of the Society. Cultivates and maintains relationships with reporters from top-tier local, regional, national and international media outlets. 

• Secures high-quality media coverage. Proactively identifies, develops, refines and executes strategies to reach key audiences. Ensures a consistent cadence of earned media.

• Develops media briefings and guidance, conducts media training sessions for Explorers and other spokespeople for media interviews. 

• Writes and edits compelling media pitches, press releases, statements, op-eds, talking points, fact sheets, journalist briefs and other short form media and communications products. 

• Develops media tool kits to support programmatic work, new announcements and for use by external partners.

• Monitors potential and emerging issues related to Explorer-led programs and helps develop an organizational response with senior members of the communications, marketing and brand team when needed.
   

Content Curation and Materials Direction (10%): 

•  Works with stakeholders from across the wider Communications, Marketing, and Brand team to ideate and curate content to support communications strategies for our Explorer-led programs. 

• Ensures content has a cohesive tone and style across Society owned platforms. 

• Social media development (where needed) to support Explorer-led programs. 
   

Ad Hoc Initiatives (5%): 

• Strategizes communications and public relations opportunities for special projects and cross-functional organizational initiatives that advance the Society’s mission.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background
Bachelor's degree preferred

Minimum Years and Types of Experience  
7+ years of discipline experience in strategic communications and media relations.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Experience developing and executing communications strategies—including writing communications plans and developing key messages.

• In-depth understanding of news media with the ability to create and maintain solid relationships with press contacts. Ability to secure top tier media placements.

• Experience with communication in the areas of ocean protection, land conservation, wildlife and/or human history and culture.

• Strong verbal and written communicator able to synthesize and translate complex material into clear and concise language tailored to audience needs.

• Ability to work under tight deadlines while effectively managing both long- and short-term projects. 

• Excellent professional judgment with the ability to  balance the needs of multiple stakeholders at any given time and be comfortable managing projects independently.

Desired Qualifications

• Staff management experience desired.

• Proficiency with Cision or experience using another media database preferred.

• Additional languages are helpful but not required.

• Existing relationships with press and media contacts is a plus.

Supervision

No direct report

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 $95,000.00 - $100,000.00.

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 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); 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.