Director, Content Planning & Operations (Communications)

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 and advance its position as one of the world's most trusted nonprofit organizations and global brands. Driven by the Society's vision to be more globally known for its impactful Explorer-led mission programs, the Division leads developing 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 Strategy.

Reporting to the Vice President, Content & Editorial Strategy, and working with dynamic, collaborative, fast-paced teams, the Director will lead integrated content planning and execution between the Communications Division and the Campus & Experiences Division. This role will serve as the primary point of contact for conversations around content, marketing, and brand as they relate to Base Camp and the Museum of Exploration (MOE), opening in 2026. They will lead the integration of content and marketing planning across all platforms, including in-person, digital, social, and media asset management as well as coordinate the integration of Base Camp and MOE into enterprise marketing and communications campaigns. This position will develop a deep understanding of the available stories and media assets available to drive content marketing around the Museum of Exploration.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Content Planning & Project Management (35%)

• Working with other Communications Division leadership, the MOE marketing team, and others to develop and execute integrated communications and marketing plans around key MOE moments.

• Catalog and curate existing Base Camp and MOE stories and media assets for use across platforms.

• Work closely with internal leads and external agencies to develop content opportunities across platforms - with an emphasis on web and social platforms; design consistent content strategies to feed various audiences and channels.

• Lead and/or attend various stakeholder and collaboration meetings, ensuring effective agendas and readouts for leadership and Communications Division.

• Support and facilitate the expansion of content co-creation and content reusability across multiple platforms, ensuring a cohesive and strategic approach to content development and audience engagement.

• Craft creative briefs for relevant content marketing projects.

Content & Marketing Operations (35%)

• Proactively identify operational opportunities, challenges, or inefficiencies across programs, divisions, and roles in order to optimize content delivery and enhance team collaboration.

• Ensure that the principles of continuous improvement and collaboration are applied throughout the development and delivery of the work, and that project teams adopt agile planning approaches to enhance creativity and execution.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive central repository of information on all MOE content projects, ensuring stakeholders have access to up-to-date documentation and project status.

• Manage, prioritize, and coordinate the intake of content and marketing requests from Campus & Experiences team, ensuring strategic alignment and efficient resource utilization.

Inter-Departmental Coordination (30%)

• Understand available content opportunities within Base Camp and MOE to ensure message consistency across channels.  Develop a coordinated approach to content planning with the Campus and Experiences team.

• Represent the Communications Division on key Base Camp working groups leading up to opening.

• Lead the development and delivery of metrics and performance reports for all priority content projects, providing insights and actionable recommendations for future projects.

• Shape and lead best-in-class culture by promoting innovation, collaboration and problem-solving through a solution-oriented approach that drives for results.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor's Degree in Communications-related field preferred

Minimum Years and Type of Experience   

10+ years of experience in a content planning & operations role 

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to prioritize workflows with a strong attention to detail and strong project management skills.

• Proven success in leading cross-department efforts and standing up effective operations and procedures to execute on integrated communications and marketing strategies.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, executive presentation skills, and ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.

• Deep understanding of current marketplace trends in website content and social media.

• Track record of building content strategies across platforms and audiences.

• Exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally across the organization.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate in matrixed environments.

• Ability to lead by influence rather than control.

Desired Qualifications

• Humility and creativity, with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to work cohesively and collaboratively across teams.

• An entrepreneurial, adaptable and unflappable spirit who thrives in changing environments.

• Ambitious, enthusiastic, resourceful, and eager to contribute ideas and encourage conversation and collaboration.

• Time management and organizational skills.

• A demonstrated interest in illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world.

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 $137,700 - $145,000.

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.