Manager, Land (Science And Innovation)

The National Geographic Society invests in a diverse, global community of National Geographic Explorers who are leading a new age of exploration in support of our mission: to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling. These bold individuals represent more than 140 countries, and their vast array of backgrounds, perspectives, and fields bring us to the far reaches of the globe.

The Science & Innovation Programs team oversees the Society’s funding efforts in science, conservation, and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Reporting to the Senior Director, Science & Innovation Programs, Land, the Manager will support the programmatic, operational, logistical, and administrative duties for the Land Team. In this role, the Manager leads assigned programmatic activity under the direction of the Senior Director to ensure programmatic priorities are met while tracking and reporting on progress, indicators, and impact of programs. The successful candidate will be a versatile and motivated self-starter that has the ability to perform in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment both independently and in collaboration with the team.

• Managing all Lands-related contracts to include contributing towards drafting and executing contracts in partnership with NGS Legal.
• Work closely with the Senior Director and team members in program management support and development by:
  • Developing and updating work plans and budget tracking/planning/projections on a continual basis for all programmatic aspects of the Lands Pillar.
  • Contributing towards relationship management and engagement with Land Program Explorers in several programs, including Zenith, Polaris, Azimuth, and Meridian, and Level I and II grantees - through regular NGS check-ins, team member tracking, contractual support, and logistical support, in coordination with the Director and Senior Director.
  • Managing operational aspects of grant requests for proposals (RFPs).
• Managing operational aspects of grant requests for proposals (RFPs).
• Operational and Financial Management: in close collaboration with the Senior Director, helps manage program operations and budget, and builds efficiencies across the team by:
  • Managing all Lands-related contracts to include contributing towards drafting and executing contracts in partnership with NGS Legal.
  • Actively managing the program budgets including cash flow projections/forecasting, spend vs budgeted, and revising budget periodically to align with evolving program priorities, in coordination with the Senior Director.
  • Leading all internal program operations related to organization systems and tools (eg. calendars, Google Drive folders, Workday, and Salesforce campaigns).
  • Representing and advocating for Land Pillar program needs with internal stakeholders.
  • Managing invoices, mailings, and team T&E and maintains schedules and payments for the program team and contractors.
• Developing and updating work plans and budget tracking/planning/projections on a continual basis for all programmatic aspects of the Lands Pillar.
• Representing and advocating for Land Pillar program needs with internal stakeholders.
• Actively managing the program budgets including cash flow projections/forecasting, spend vs budgeted, and revising budget periodically to align with evolving program priorities, in coordination with the Senior Director.
• Leading all internal program operations related to organization systems and tools (eg. calendars, Google Drive folders, Workday, and Salesforce campaigns).
• Collaborates closely with team members to conduct literature reviews, scheduling knowledge-sharing interviews, drafting presentations and concept documents, and attending symposia necessary for knowledge collection and constituent identification.
• Managing invoices, mailings, and team T&E and maintains schedules and payments for the program team and contractors.
• Contributing towards relationship management and engagement with Land Program Explorers in several programs, including Zenith, Polaris, Azimuth, and Meridian, and Level I and II grantees - through regular NGS check-ins, team member tracking, contractual support, and logistical support, in coordination with the Director and Senior Director.

• Creating and maintaining information databases, generating status reporting documents, and sharing progress with internal stakeholders and partners.
• In partnership with senior team members, tracks scientific publications for research findings by:
  • Creating and maintaining information databases, generating status reporting documents, and sharing progress with internal stakeholders and partners.
  • Working with NGS Communications to ensure the factual accuracy and promotion of critical findings and publications.
• Working with NGS Communications to ensure the factual accuracy and promotion of critical findings and publications.

• Manages all aspects of Land Pillar convenings large and small (planning, management, execution) for internal and/or external stakeholders to include events on campus and at domestic and international events.

• Represents Science & Innovation and/or OWP Program at meetings with other NGS divisions while serving on internal cross-platform workgroups as a program’s expert.
• Develops agendas and ensures follow through for monthly collaborative meetings across the society for Land Pillar work. Thoughtfully determines and includes relevant internal stakeholders. Ensures meeting information and decisions are captured and follow-up occurs.

• Collaborates and works closely with matrixed teams within NGS (Advancement, Communications, Storytelling, Explorer Engagement, Education, Legal, Program Operations, Finance, etc.) to brainstorm, draft, edit, track progress, and manage the delivery of assets.
• Participates in organizational coops, work groups, etc. on behalf of the Land Pillar and Programs.
• Serve as spokesperson for the program with partners and at relevant meetings and events as needed/requested by the Senior Director.
• In collaboration with Land team members, assist in the evaluation of Land conservation and research grants as an internal subject matter expert.
• Assist Land team in arranging and managing programmatic presence at key events and with partners. Works with Communications to organize potential presentations & speaking opportunities.

• Conducts research, compiles data and prepares reports specific to new program development/initiatives
• Contributes to the identification and advancement of programmatic priorities by conducting landscape and gap analysis.

• Ability to work on multiple projects, under deadlines, with changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Creative thinker and proactive problem solver with exposure to design thinking, human centered design or similar problem-solving frameworks to guide the development of creative solutions to complex problems.
• Understanding of scientific method, and ecosystem of climate and environmental organizations.
• Experience developing presentations in both narrative and creative formats.
• Demonstrated expertise in technology for communications, including presentation creation and social media content creation and management.
• Ability to communicate complicated scientific information to non-scientific audiences.
• Extremely versatile, dedicated to efficient productivity and project management.
• Flexibility, attention to detail and proactive mindset are extremely important.
• Experience managing budgets and contracts.
• Experience managing projects using Google Suite, Airtable, Jira or other software, and exposure to using Miro or other digital whiteboarding tools.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills and ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills using established project management practices and high attention to detail with experience preparing and managing projects using Gantt charts, developing strategic roadmaps, creating project plans, organizing and leading project kickoffs, as well as taking and distributing meeting notes with clear action items in addition to other deliverables that ensure smooth and efficient program delivery.

• Field-based research or experience working in the conservation field in sub-Saharan Africa is favorable but not required.
• Ability to speak Portuguese and/or Setswana is favorable but not required.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

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 they prefer.