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, 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 Science & Innovation team oversees the Society’s funding efforts in research, conservation and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Nested within this division, the Zenith Cohort Programs represent the Society’s most prestigious, large-scale impact portfolios. This team manages multi-year initiatives designed to accelerate scalable, sustainable solutions by providing strategic leadership, robust institutional backing, and cross-disciplinary cohort support to trailblazing Explorers.
A cornerstone of this portfolio is the Perpetual Planet Expeditions (PPE) program, which supports critical scientific fieldwork across Earth's vital life-support systems. Grounded in cutting-edge science and bolstered by impact storytelling, education and community engagement, PPE will advance vital conservation outcomes and scalable, sustainable solutions led by trailblazing Explorers.
Reporting to the Vice President, Science & Innovation Programs, the Sr Director will serve on the Science & Innovation division’s Perpetual Planet Expeditions (PPE) team to provide programmatic science direction and oversight. The Sr Director will lead all the grantmaking strategies for the program and will oversee a team of subject matter experts. The position is responsible for project development across all science expeditions, establishment and oversight of project workplans, Explorer partnership and development, relevant policy oversight, and monitoring and evaluation development, tracking and impact measurement. They will work closely with National Geographic departments and build strong relationships with internal and external partners, scientific experts, sponsors, and other third parties, and will keep abreast of current and emerging work on the issues associated with these environments.
The successful candidate must be a high-functioning professional with strong climate or environmental science experience. A PhD or relevant scientific discipline or a similar credential or qualification reflecting an extensive scientific background is required for the role alongside excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated management skills. The candidate must be able to translate science for a media focused audience and must be strong at team and stakeholder management. In addition, experience working in a matrixed organization, with academic and corporate partners is strongly preferred.
This role is required to travel 15-20% to remote global locations. This is a fixed-term role for a period of 7-years, contingent upon grant funding.
Your Impact
Your Responsibilities Include
Science Strategy and Execution (60%)
Program Impact Framework Development: Collaborate closely with the VP and the Director, Operations and Program Management to finalize and execute the PPE program impact framework. This framework must be explicitly geared toward catalyzing scalable, measurable impact within each target ecosystem through NGS grantmaking.
Landscape and Gap Analysis: Lead the landscape and gap analysis process for each continent and selection process.
RFP Development and Grantmaking Strategy: Develop PPE Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and an overarching grantmaking strategy. This strategy must align with the program's impact framework and strategically scale funding across Explorer cohorts, fostering high-impact collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Program Recruiting: Actively support program recruiting efforts,…