Specialist, Content and Research (Basecamp, Experiences) at National Geographic Society
Job Title: Specialist, Content and Research (Basecamp, Experiences)
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Washington, D.C.
Salary: $63,000
Description
How You’ll Contribute
The Specialist, Content and Research (SCR) is a role within the Experiences team focused on a transformational, multi-year initiative to re-imagine National Geographic Headquarters as a world-class public experience. Plans for the project include the design and development of an immersive media installation and theater, interactive experiences, temporary exhibitions and photo gallery space, as well as an education center, library/archive, restaurant, and retail.
Reporting to the Director, Experiences Content, the SCR will focus on writing, researching, fact-checking, and producing written content that communicates our mission, builds enthusiasm for the brand, highlights the work of our explorers, and compels people to act. The SCR will bring a sense of curiosity and innovation to the workplace, working closely with design leads, project managers, photo editors and other internal and external partners to produce high quality scripts, panel text, copy, and other written deliverables while ensuring accuracy of all final materials. The SCR will manage stakeholder feedback ensuring an effective and focused project. The SCR will work closely with the Director, Experiences Content and Project Managers to ensure completion of all projects on time and budget.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and links to samples or a full portfolio.
Your Impact
Responsibilities Include:
Creative Development (20%)
- In partnership with Content team members, develop concepts, creative themes, and messaging for content areas and interactives in support of NG divisional goals and programs
- Coordinate with Design and other members of the Content team to assist in creative direction and create visioning documents for exhibits and for Base Camp
- Take part in brainstorming sessions to assist the visioning of top-level creative themes and messaging in support of NG divisional goals and programs
- Produce style guides, outlines, summaries and other materials for use in project updates and presentations
- Present on topics and content in development as needed
Research and Writing (65%)
- In partnership with Content team members, develop content themes for individual projects
- Draft, write and/or coordinate written output in support of project elements
- Review, fact-check, and proof all written output ensuring our work is accurate, supports NG goals and is presented in a powerful and consistent voice
- Work with guest curators, asset providers, graphic designers, videographers, rights clearance staff, outside experts, and other NGS/NGP divisions to prepare for creation of written assets
- Follow NG style, standards and guidelines and propose ways to continue improving best practices
Process and Project Management (10%)
- Act as primary representative for written materials during development phase
- Communicate with other stakeholders in a timely and consistent manner
- Work with Director, Experiences Content and Project Managers to create work schedules, reviews, and monitor and track daily deliverables to ensure on-time project completion
Reporting and Review (5%)
- Prepare periodic reporting, as needed, on development progress
- Oversee the retention of accurate records and archives of work
Requirements
What You’ll Bring
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree preferred
Minimum Years and Types of Experience
3+ years of experience in writing, editing, and researching nonfiction storytelling. Prior museum, attraction or nonprofit experience, and/or work with video/immersive storytelling preferred.
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent writing and research skills
- Demonstrated success across a diverse portfolio or writing styles, including headlines, marketing pieces, digital, as well as long form content
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and produce on tight deadlines while paying close attention to detail
- Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively (oral and written) across a large, diverse group of professionals from educators, to scientists, to fellow creatives
- Familiarity with the Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel, and other similar office software
Desired Qualifications
- Broad academic knowledge of multiple National Geographic focus areas (science, exploration, history, geography, etc.) is strongly preferred
- Experience writing content for exhibitions is a plus
Supervision
No Direct Reports
Salary Information
As a leading nonprofit organization, National Geographic Society offers competitive salary and total rewards to attract, develop, and retain an innovative and dynamic workforce.
The salary range for this position starts at $63,000.00
Job Designation
Resident – Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must always be onsite to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present some of the time. Some Resident staff may need to come into Base Camp every day, some may need to come in to meet looming deadlines and to get work done, and others may require a more unique schedule. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule can be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work. As a guideline, Resident staff will be in the office between 3-5 days a week.
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.