Senior Director, Partnership Communications

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 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 six departments: Engagement and Marketing Strategy, Brand & Creative, Strategic Communications, Executive Communications, and Content and Editorial Strategy.

The Engagement and Marketing Strategy department is a dynamic team within the Communications division. The department defines and implements an engagement strategy for the Society to deepen relationships with our core audiences, market our key products, services and offerings in education, experiences and events, and Explorer-led programs, and support our fundraising goals and objectives. The team is driven by a deep understanding of audience behaviors and motivations — designing digital experiences, outreach campaigns, and acquisition strategies to meet their needs.

Reporting to the VP, Engagement & Marketing Strategy, the Senior Director, Partnership Communications will work closely with the Advancement team to create engagement and execution strategies that demonstrate and activate the brand and comms value for partners and prospects. The Senior Director will have an entrepreneurial spirit, is a highly collaborative, business-savvy professional who has solid experience in developing and executing marketing programs and delivering business impact.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

Partnership Strategy (60%)

• Work with Advancement, particularly the Institutional Partnerships team, to co-create strategies, content, and collateral that build momentum, excitement, and commitment with our high-touch partners and prospects 

• Design and implement communications plans and marketing campaigns for key partnerships 

• Work with partnership leads to create presentations, communications case studies, and other collateral demonstrating the brand and comms value to partners and prospects

• Collaborate with Advancement to refine and activate our Partnerships Benefits Framework as needed

• Leverage storytelling techniques to develop a campaign communications strategy that creates an emotional connection with prospective and current donors and compels their support

• Serve as strategic advisor and thought partner to VP, E&MS and CCMBO in executive-level pitches and donor stewardship engagements

• Serve as Comms representative for the development of key fundraising priorities and funded impact partnerships

Partnership Activation (30%)

• Define communications goals, tactics and measurement and evaluation strategies to ensure continuous optimization during partnership lifecycle

• Manage day-to-day marketing, comms and brand relationship with Cengage/ NG Learning

• Serve as Communications liaison and representative planning activities, operationalizing plans into discrete communications activities.

• Increase the impact of our signature events including marketing sponsorship opportunities
   

Budget Management (10%)

• Manage dedicated comms and marketing budgets for funded impact partnerships

• Forecast comms and marketing budgets for new partnerships and proposals

Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree, advanced degree preferred. Credentials in marketing, communications, or fundraising are a plus.
 

Minimum Years and Types of Experience
A minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field, along with prior experience in supporting multi-year branded partnerships of $5M+.

At least 5 years senior level experience in a non-profit including substantial responsibility for marketing and/or communications functions and transformational partnerships.

Knowledge and Skills

• Experience successfully partnering with senior leadership and executives to meet organizational needs.

• Excellent