Sr. Manager, Partnership Communications

Position description

For more than 130 years, the National Geographic Society has funded the best and brightest individuals dedicated to scientific discovery and understanding of our world.

Our historic commitment to dauntless exploration dates back to our founding in 1888 when 33 prominent scholars and scientists established an organization dedicated to the “the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.”

Today, National Geographic Explorers are continuing to push the boundaries of knowledge, uncovering new insights about the natural and cultural worlds, and strengthening our connection to them and one another.

Duties

The Campaign Engagement and Marketing team drives the strategy, development, and execution of a major, multiyear comprehensive fundraising campaign, encompassing all donor engagement activities, including stewardship, recognition, and volunteer leadership. This is achieved through three key functions working seamlessly. Advancement Marketing converts brand awareness into philanthropic growth by inspiring donors with compelling content, innovative strategies, and stewardship that highlights impact. Campaign Engagement oversees all campaign initiatives including donor recognition and events, while Partnership Communications develops high-impact proposals and executes deliverables for donors and partners.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Partnership Communications, the Senior Manager, Partner Communications develops and directs impactful and innovative communications campaigns that support institutional partnership development, advance the Society’s goals and programmatic priorities, and demonstrate the tangible value of the National Geographic brand and mission to philanthropic supporters and prospects.

Partnership Communications Strategy (40%):

• Serve as strategic advisor and thought partner to Senior Director, Partnership Communications in support of creative and compelling multiplatform marketing campaigns that engage, retain and grow corporate, government and foundation supporters.
• Work with Advancement (particularly the Institutional Partnerships team) and Centralized Communications, to co-create strategies, content, and collateral that build momentum, excitement, and commitment with our high-touch partners and prospects
• Work with Advancement Marketing and other key internal stakeholders to create presentations, communications case studies, and other collateral demonstrating how our impact work is supported by partners and prospects
• Contribute to development of presentations, solicitations, case studies, and other communications materials that demonstrate the value of the Society’s mission and impact work to current and prospective institutional supporters.
• Develop, implement and manage workflows and SOPs to activate, track and report on partnership communications benefits, deliverables and engagements.

Partnership Relationship Management and Activation (50%)

• Serve as a partner-facing Communications Relationship Manager for 7-10 current and 3-5 prospective partners, working in close collaboration with the Advancement Relationship Manager and directly with the partner to operationalize and deliver upon discrete communications activities.
• For assigned partnerships: leverage storytelling techniques to develop a clear communications strategy that creates an emotional connection with prospective and current donors, compels their support and delivers upon contracted recognition benefits.

Budget, Agreement & Contract Management (10%)

• Working closely with the Senior Director, Partnerships Communications, manage dedicated comms and marketing budgets for funded impact partnerships for which this role serves as the Communications Relationship Manager.
• Working closely with the Senior Director, Partnership Communications, oversee Centralized Communications division review, approval and tracking of gift agreements, licensing agreements and other contracts, coordinating with requesters and appropriate stakeholders to ensure accuracy and compliance with Society standards, and securing timely approvals.

Qualifications

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred (Communications, Marketing, Business, etc.)

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

7+ years of experience in marketing or communications, preferably in a non-profit environment

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present a broad range of concepts in a clear, compelling, and accurate manner
• Experience developing and executing targeted communications strategies to attract and engage specific audiences
• Deep understanding of current marketing and communications techniques and best practices, especially within the nonprofit or CSR/ESG sector
• Detail-oriented with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Self-starter with ability to plan and lead projects independently from concept to launch
• Excellent professional judgment, with the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and InCopy preferred
• Experience supervising vendors and processes
• Experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud products

Supervision

No direct reports but may supervise marketing agencies, media buying contractors, etc.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on globalvacancies.org