Production Manager, Blue Boundaries (ISL)

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society Storytelling Mission Program works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. As the largest funder to individual storytellers in this work, it also identifies key grantmaking and fellowship opportunities with creative talent. The division’s Impact Story Lab (ISL) builds on National Geographic’s legacy as a global leader in using storytelling to drive positive change. The ISL produces world-class film, audio, photography, VR/AR experiences, and other media that furthers the goals of the organization and its programs. By combining creative excellence with groundbreaking research, ISL advances the field of “impact media” and contributes to National Geographic Society’s mission of illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world.

The Production Manager plays a crucial role in managing the processes of ISL projects, with a specific focus on the new Blue Boundaries program and other Zenith-level programs. Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Production Manager is responsible for managing production logistics, keeping projects on schedule and within budget, and supporting the daily operations of the team.

This is a fixed-term position for a period of six-years, contingent upon grant funding.

Your Impact

Responsibilities:

Operations (25%): Support the implementation and continued improvement of workflows and processes. Manage logistics throughout a project’s life cycle, from development through delivery, including complex international field production. Provide support to the team regarding adherence to NGS administrative policies, protocols, and procedures. Ensure legal and insurance compliance for all productions. Investigate and implement technologies and software that will support the functioning of the Lab.  

Budgeting (25%): Support the Director of Operations in creating and managing project budgets. Track both the direct costs and staff time associated with each project budget to ensure that projects remain within approved budgets and that staff are efficiently utilized. 

Scheduling (25%): Work with the Director of Operations and Producers to create production schedules for all projects. Manage schedules and milestones from intake to delivery. Remind Producers of upcoming deadlines and assist in reworking schedules if necessary. Track multiple projects at any given time, ensuring delivery dates are met. 

Manage Vendors (25%): Act as the main point of contact for vendor contracts and invoices. Negotiate agreements, draft contracts, generate purchase order requisitions, process and track all project-related invoices, and complete all relevant financial forms to engage and pay vendors. 

Educational Background

Bachelor's degree required.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

5+ years of media production experience 

3+ years of experience as a Production Manager overseeing staff.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills 

• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to learn quickly and adapt to new situations. 

• Understanding of operations of media production is required. 

• While in-depth technical skills are not required, the Production Manager must be familiar with all aspects of production so that they can communicate effectively with the production team. 

• Excellent collaboration skills.

• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and complex working relationships. 

• Able to work proactively to solve problems. 

• Excellent written, verbal, communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills are required. 

• Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. 

Supervision

1 direct report

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 starti