Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 7+ years of discipline experience in strategic communications and media relations.
• 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.

Preferred

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.