Sr. Specialist, Web Production & Project Management (Education)

The National Geographic Society is an impact-driven global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. The Education & Community Engagement (ECE) division serves this mission by amplifying and extending the work of NGS explorers into classrooms and communities, helping educators and learners of all ages develop an Explorer Mindset and inspiring them to learn about, care for, and protect our world. The division seeks to help the world understand the importance of geography - seeing the connections, interdependencies, and patterns that shape human and natural systems on our planet.

In partnership with researchers, educators, community leaders and learners of all ages, National Geographic’s ECE division works at the nexus of science and storytelling to push the boundaries of research and practice to improve scientific outcomes, drive new knowledge, and spark the attitudinal and behavioral shifts necessary for sustainable and resilient, longer-term conservation efforts.

To accomplish its goals and to extend reach and impact, the ECE division cultivates strategic partnerships; manages education-focused endowments, fellowships and grants; creates and disseminates education content and programs for Explorers and a K-16 audience domestically and internationally; connects Explorers to classrooms and communities; and engages youth in the mission by building immersive learning experiences and opportunities to connect with Explorers. These educational resources and experiences showcase a multiplicity of perspectives and are accessible on a continuum of no-low-high tech capacities at scale across the globe.

Reporting to the Director, Dissemination & Platforms, the Sr. Specialist, Web Production & Project Management serves on the ECE division’s Dissemination, Platforms & Explorer Experience (DPXE) team and has working knowledge of content upload best practices, databases and content management systems, content development timelines, and related standards and procedures. By applying their unique set of skills to the team’s initiatives, the Senior Specialist accelerates advancement towards strategic goals as set out in the NGS Strategy, mission and vision. The Senior Specialist’s work is focused on executing tactical functions and leading some aspects of the work—proposing efficiencies and solutions to management for consideration and approval. They inform content curation on all ECE platforms, follow editorial standards for platforms, and research and define technology solutions in partnership with our Technology colleagues. The Senior Specialist may also serve on internal cross-team workgroups.

Your Impact

Job Description

Your Impact:

Program Strategy and Development: (15%)

• Understands and can effectively articulate the goals of the organization, NGS strategy, underlying education and community engagement work, and matrices within the organization.
• Has proven experience executing an editorial strategy to review and improve content alignment to the ECE division’s globally inclusive philosophy.

Program Management: (30%)

• Carries out project/program management to satisfy team objectives. Executes tactical programmatic components of the strategy under direction of leadership.
• Implements programs that support high-impact initiatives to meet/achieve outputs, outcomes, and impacts within stated timeframes and budgets.
• Ensures the development and curation of high quality, high-impact content that aligns with the NGS and ECE division’s strategy, and Learning Design for Global Inclusivity (LDGI) practices.
• Manages, monitors, and controls all standards, tools, processes, and platforms needed to carry platform content and initiatives from ideation to dissemination, including but not limited to databases, content management systems, standard operating procedures, content development timelines, legal binder creation and review, curatorial standards and procedures.
• Makes decisions about team project priorities and allocation of resources. Hires and manages contract staff as needed.
• Problem-solves straightforward issues and elevates proposed solutions to more complex issues for consideration. Interprets internal/external issues and recommends solutions, best practices, and streamlined processes.

Skills Concentration: (40%)

• Liaises with internal program teams and external stakeholders to gather and share needs, refine processes, and engage in a feedback loop.
• Nurtures engagement with Explorers, educators, and young people, supporting them in navigating and leveraging our content and professional learning tools, and resources.
• Builds and leads editorial support functions in concert with other NGS and ECE teams including EduLab. Provides research, writing, rewriting, and developmental editing.
• Performs research fact-checking, editorial direction, and copy editing for various content offerings within the ECE division.
• Maintains up-to-date timelines and team project assignments to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Engages with the Mapping team to establish and implement best practices for map review and editing. Serves as a point of contact for performing research and fact-checking for accuracy in the use of maps across multiple initiatives that span the ECE division.
• Cross-trains to support web production tasks, growing and applying technical expertise in web production and user experience
• Implements ways of tracking variables, numbers and datasets that help measure impact for education resources and programs delivered via the website. Engages with EduOps, SII, and Tech teams to coordinate these efforts.

Team, Divisional and Organizational Collaboration: (15%)

Contributes to multiple initiatives across the ECE division; serves on internal cross-platform workgroups to maximize strategy results and scale. Contributions impact team and division goals.

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What You’ll Bring:

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Communications, Business, Technology or related field preferred.

Content knowledge in Social Studies, History, Geography, Environmental Science, Earth Science, or English Language Arts desired.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

4+ years of related experience.

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Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Familiarity with content and learning management systems, database design and management, web analytics and project management tools. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multiple large-scale content and information management projects.
• Experienced in developing strategies for increasing website traffic through search engine optimization (SEO) techniques such as keyword research and link building, and use of analytic tools designed to track visitor activity and engagement.
• Ability to evaluate website performance and report on website’s technical aspects such as website design, hosting, and maintenance, and to improve existing content based on website analytics data.
• Skilled copy editor and writer.
• Experience in performing research, data validation, fact checking and analyzing information from different sources in different subject areas.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills and ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.
• Ability to work on multiple projects, under deadlines, with changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Prioritize and manage tasks and responsibilities that span across multiple teams.
• Coordinating and managing appointments, meetings, and multiple schedules.
• Technical proficiency with project management software such as Wrike, CRMs such as Salesforce, MSFT Office, and G-Suite tools.
• Knowledge of Learning Design for Global Inclusivity (LDGI) a plus.

​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 $77,900.00 - $82,000.00.

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.

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.