Sr. Photo Editor

How You’ll Contribute

The Communications division leads the development and execution of integrated communications and marketing strategies to further the mission of the National Geographic Society (the Society) and advance its position as one of the world's most trusted non-profit organizations and global brands. Driven by the Society's vision to be more globally known for its impactful Explorer-led mission programs, the Division's creative and strategic minds develop strategic communications, marketing campaigns, creative, content, and media to promote the Society's strategic plan and key priorities. The Division comprises five departments: Engagement and Marketing Strategy, Brand and Creative, Strategic Communications, Executive Communications, and Content and Editorial.

The Brand and Creative team at the Society is a dynamic and growing group within the Communications division, responsible for overseeing brand strategy, creative direction and brand management with the aim of expressing the brand through myriad formats and channels and zealously protecting the reputation of National Geographic. They collaborate closely with corporate partners, vetting new strategic alliances to ensure they reflect National Geographic values. Through captivating content and experience, the team’s collective work with internal and external teams inspires audiences to take action.

Reporting to the Director of Photography, the Senior Photo Editor is a key member of the Brand and Creative team, working in tandem with the Director of Photography and the team to source and create visual content (primarily stills photography), at the Society’s high brand standard, to communicate the Society’s mission, build enthusiasm for the brand, highlight the work of our Explorers, and compel the Society’s audiences to join its efforts.

Your Impact

Responsibilities include

Photo Editing For Brand and Creative, Communications, Advancement, and Base Camp (45%) 

•  Work closely with Creative Directors, Marketing Directors, Designers, Producers and Director of Photography and Senior Photo Editor to curate photos suitable for the Society Marketing, Brand, Communications, Advancement, and Base Camp projects. Interpret & clarify photo requests, suggest/strategize image solutions (utilizing National Geographic, stock/external-sourced photos or custom photo-shoots), research, edit (including re-sizing and color-correction) and deliver use-ready imagery on a timely basis.

• Maintain the Society’s photo brand standards in the selection of imagery for end-users, asset-management workflow procedures and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.  Ensure that all necessary rights and releases are secured, proper credit is given and requirements are followed. 

• Initiate required payments procedures for stills imagery used by NGS, as required.

• Work closely with the Brand and Creative team and Director of Photography to identify gaps in photo collection and help strategize solutions for procuring and creating these assets.   

Explorers in the Field Photography - Content Creation (20%) 

• Collaborate with the Director of Photography and key stakeholders within the Explorer Programs and Storytelling teams to strategize and successfully create on-brand situational portraiture of the Explorer in the Field, for Explorer elevation and marketing/communications brand-needs.

• Assist in sourcing photographers to be paired with the Explorer; collaboratively coordinate photoshoot logistics and details, legal agreements.

• Lead and strategize direction of photographers and talent on assigned photo shoots, both on-location and long-arm. 

• Travel may be required as lead in the field during photography shoot with the Explorer and photographer (s).

• Edit, color correction, apply proper metadata and ingest/archive the photography created.

Event Photography Content Creation (20%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Photography and key stakeholders to plan and create photography needed for the Society’s communications, such as special events and donor engagements.

• Recruit, hire, and supervise photographers for coverage as needed.

• Provide photo shoot direction/guidance for photographers and producers for deliverables and creative direction. Lead art direction & overall production of shoots as needed. 

• Fulfill distribution including metadata entry of event-photos se