Manager, Explorer Capacity Development

National Geographic Society; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

National Geographic Society seeks a Manager, Explorer Capacity Development to design and deliver learning and mentorship programs for Explorers worldwide. You will create cohort experiences, facilitate sessions, and manage projects within a hybrid environment.

Reporting to the Director of Explorer Capacity Development, you will collaborate across divisional teams to scale impact, with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and knowledge sharing across 140+ countries.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience teaching and/or facilitating trainings and/or project management in a global context.
• Experience in the global field of education and adult learning.
• Experience adopting new technological tools and using technology, such as learning management systems and video conferencing, to support learning.
• Experience with operational support of events and convenings.
• Highly effective, detail-oriented written and oral communicator.
• Strong collaboration skills, including flexibility, relationship management, and ability to work with all levels of staff.
• Project management experience.
• Able to learn quickly, problem-solve, prioritize, and think creatively.

Responsibilities

• Design and pilot in-person and online learning activities and community-building opportunities for Explorer cohorts.
• Create supporting materials and media (rubrics, worksheets, slide decks, videos, facilitation guides).
• Facilitate in-person and virtual learning sessions with Explorers and subject matter experts.
• Support Explorer online courses, including cloning, edits, and course communications.
• Provide mentorship and knowledge exchange opportunities among Explorers.
• Collaborate with the Explorer Community team to integrate Explorers into the broader community.
• Organize and manage materials for offerings; handle logistics, timelines, feedback, and contracts.

Skills

Facilitation skills

Collaboration skills

Project management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Learning agility

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Learning management systems

Video conferencing

Job description

How You’ll Contribute

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 Explorer Engagement division identifies, develops and elevates the Society’s extensive and diverse community of Explorers – researchers, conservationists, educators, technologists and storytellers. They empower our global network of Explorers through funding, training, mentorship and community activation. They also elevate Explorers, allowing them to access technology and other resources and opportunities designed to accelerate the impact of these passionate changemakers. NGS is broadening our science and innovation portfolio with a new research and conservation program that will focus research and conservation efforts in freshwater wetlands, coastlands and reefs. To support this new program, the Explorer Programs team is hiring a Manager, Explorer Capacity Development. The Manager is responsible for developing and administering learning, leadership development and mentorship programming to support Explorers funded through the program. Reporting to the Director of Explorer Capacity Development and working in concert with the program team within the Science and Innovation Division, as well with other team members across the Society, the Manager will design, produce, facilitate and manage educational offerings aligned with our Explorer Capacity Development program. This is a fixed-term position with an anticipated end date of 4 years from date of hire.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Learning and Cohort Experience Design (30%)

• In collaboration with the cross departmental team, develop a plan for in-person and online learning and community building opportunities for Explorer cohorts
• Gain familiarity with existing capacity development offerings for Explorers and adapt them to meet the needs of target audience
• Design and pilot additional engaging learning activities as needed, e.g., to support knowledge exchange within Explorer cohorts
• Create supporting materials and media such as rubrics, worksheets, slide decks, videos, facilitation guides, and more
• Apply inclusive design principles to promote accessibility of content and learning experiences

Learning and Cohort Experience Facilitation (30%)

• Facilitate in-person and virtual learning sessions, collaborating with Explorer facilitators and subject matter experts as appropriate
• Facilitate Explorer online courses, including course cloning and edits, writing and sending course communications, and support of Explorer facilitators
• Facilitate mentorship and knowledge exchange opportunities among Explorers, including orientation and ongoing support for mentors and mentees
• Collaborate with the Explorer Community team to integrate the Explorers into the broader Explorer community

Project Management (25%)

• Organize and manage materials for in-person and online offerings
• Manage workshop and course logistics, including but not limited to developing and communicating timelines, monitoring participation and deliverables, providing timely feedback to participants, and managing contracts and invoices
• Monitor and assess effectiveness of offerings to inform strategy and decision making

Team, Divisional, and Organizational Collaboration (15%)

• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to meet project timelines, align on deliverables, and adapt offerings to meet the needs of target audience
• Support communication and relationship management with Explorers and the cross departmental team

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. learning and teaching, adult trainings, content development in educational settings); Master’s degree a plus; additional project management or logistics certification a plus.

Minimum Years And Type Of Experience

5+ years of experience teaching and/or facilitating trainings and/or project management in a global context

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in the global field of education and adult learning
• Very strong in-person and online facilitation skills
• Experience adopting new technological tools and using technology, such as learning management systems and video conferencing, to support learning
• Experience with operational support of events and convenings
• Highly effective, detail-oriented written and oral communicator
• Strong collaboration skills, including flexibility, relationship management, and ability to work with all levels of staff
• Project management experience
• Able to learn quickly, problem-solve, prioritize, and think creatively

Desired Qualifications

• Cross disciplinary knowledge of science, communication, storytelling and media
• Certification/experience in learning and teaching and/or global logistics
• Certification/experience with graphic design and/or video editing software
• Additional language skills – preference in Spanish or French
• Experience leading impact-focused programs 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 $91,200.00 - $96,000.00.

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 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.