Director, Program Operations

**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.

Within NGS, the Science & Innovation team is a department that oversees the Society’s grant making efforts in science, conservation and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Over the last fifteen years, Pristine Seas, National Geographic’s flagship ocean conservation program has helped to inspire the protection of 27 of the last wild places in the ocean, encompassing more than 6 million square kilometers of ocean. We are seeking a Director, Business Operations, Pristine Seas to support our approach over the rest of the decade to inspire the protection of new vital ocean places.

The Director of Program Operations will be supported by the Manager, Business Operations, the Specialist, Business Operations, and the Payments Coordinator, Business Operations in overseeing business affairs and the financial administration of the Pristine Seas project.

Your Impact

**Responsibilities Include:

**Budget Supervision, Contract Oversight, and Insurance Lead (50%)

• Produce and oversee Pristine Seas’ annual budget, act as key liaison to Finance & Planning, track revenue, produce quarterly forecasts, and direct the work of Business Operations support staff to process all invoices, expenses, and credit card reconciliations
• Review P&L and financial statements for Pristine Seas donor reports and collaborate with Finance and Payments Coordinator, Business Operations on all donor gift tagging in WorkDay
• With Manager, Business Operations, and in conjunction with Legal & Business Affairs, process contract and grants, and review including terms and pay schedules
• Act as key liaison to NGS insurance broker, Marsh, and insurance provider, Chubb, in order to proactively mitigate risk and ensure proper insurance coverage, protection, and compliance
• Collaborate with Pristine Seas department leads and Executive Director to regularly ensure proper workforce planning and act as main point of contact, along with Chief of Staff, for the project with National Geographic Human Resources

**Program Operations (40%)

• Oversee logistics, contracts, insurance coverage, and travel for all verticals (Research, Expeditions, Business Operations, Strategy, Policy, Media, Communications, Education)
• Design, implement, and manage collaborative business processes while maintaining consistent quality, output, and delivery – including Argo and SEAmagine on contractual obligations, schedules, and financial arrangements

**Travel Logistics and Scheduling (10%)

• Collaborate with all Pristine Seas departments to support logistics for scouting trips and expeditions.
• Oversee the collection of team travel and health documents (passports, dive releases, insurance certificates, etc) necessary for travel, diving, and boating activities with support of Business Operations staff
• Oversee the bookings and reservations (visas, flights, hotels, etc) for team travel and VIP travel as well as arrange ground logistics as needed with support of Business Operations staff
• Oversee the purchasing of specialized gear as required by both the Expedition department and the Research department with support of Business Operations staff

**Educational Background

Bachelor's degree in communications, program management, or business development preferred

**Minimum Years and Types of Experience

5+ years demonstrated experience within management positions, 10+ years demonstrated experience within discipline

**Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced understanding and experience with business planning, administrative process development, high-level budgeting, insurance coverage and professional contracting requirements in a large institution;
• Success and comfort collaborating with a diverse and energetic virtual staff and international network across cultures, languages, and work styles. Knowledge of basic human resources issues and experience setting individual and team performance goals and evaluating their execution
• Solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics and the ability to diagnose problems quickly and foresee potential issues
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Proficiency in both the Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace tools
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and ability to handle sensitive materials

**Desired Qualifications

• Ability to work effectively with, delegate to, and provide direction and leadership for a team under stringent deadline requirements; ability to coach and evaluate professional team members, including training and skills evaluation.
• Fast learner, and able to effect changes fast with the ability to prioritize workflows
• Basic understanding of marine conservation & operations in marine environments issues is preferred

**Supervision

3 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 $123,500 - $130,000.

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

Remote - Our Remote designation includes staff who must work in another location in the U.S. or abroad, such as our regional leads for our Education and International teams or regional fundraisers in Advancement. Staff may also be designated as Remote by their supervisors (with approval by the Senior Team lead) because of their job duties, and are afforded this status when it is beneficial to NGS, their respective team, and the employee.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

W e 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.