Director, User Services (Storytelling) Fixed-Term

How You’ll Contribute

The Storytelling team works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. As one of the largest funders to individual storytellers in this work, it also identifies key grantmaking, and fellowship opportunities with creative talent. Much of the team's programmatic activity is focused on identifying and building capacity for the next generation of diverse storytellers.

National Geographic Society’s Special Collections chronicle more than 138 years of Society history through historical documents, maps, oral histories, audio and video recordings, photographs, artifacts, and media assets from our current Explorer-led science, storytelling, and education programs. Special Collections shares the story of National Geographic Society's past and present by expertly managing its unique archival, media, and information resources. We seek to create a more inclusive narrative by inspiring users to engage with and build on these materials.

Reporting to the V.P. of Special Collections, the Director of User Services leads the team in providing internal and external users with access to physical and digital collections and information resources through online platforms and onsite visits. The Director of User Services will develop a vision and strategy for User Services that includes expanding access to physical and digital collections; developing solutions for access and restrictions that respect legal, ethical and privacy considerations; integrating disparate rights management workflows; developing Special Collections’ research resources; opening a new research facility; gathering, analyzing, and responding to use statistics; and pursuing new opportunities to showcase collections through exhibitions and present content online through new websites and digital initiatives. A critical focus of this position over the next seven years is facilitating the work of a project team in establishing a Center for Human Histories and Cultures (CHHC) and working in step with the project team to meet broad goals for access, research support, and museum registration.

This is a fixed-term role through December 31, 2032.

Your Impact

Job Description

Responsibilities Include:

User Services (60%)

• Develop and oversee a vibrant reference and research program that promotes National Geographic’s legacy internally and outside NGS through physical and digital collections and information resources and digital technologies that expand impact and improve services.

• Present finding aids, digital collections, research services, access procedures, copyright and restrictions, and historical information with clarity and accessibility at the forefront.

• With the CHHC Project team and Storytelling program officers, support new programs for storytelling and descendant community grantees.

• Oversee collection registration functions, and serve as the strategic liaison with the Society’s museum exhibitions and events teams.

• Integrate and improve rights management workflows in partnership with the Legal teams at the Society and Disney partners. Respond to growing need for rights and reproductions requests internally and externally.

• Develop a vision and strategy for unique and excellent services to our partners at Disney and Cengage, and the Society’s community of explorers.

• With the CHHC project team, and in close consultation with Campus & Experiences, oversee the refurbishment and operation of a public reading room.

• Support the CHHC project team in cultivating deep and engaged relationships with communities, including underserved and/or historically marginalized communities, for purposes of co-creating and co-designing content, programs, and events that resonate with diverse audiences.

Resource Development and Systems Roadmap (20%)

• Oversees internal reference resources including subscription databases, research tools, and guides,  interlibrary loan, and ebook procurement. 

• Develops capacity to host and collect datasets.

• Responsible for user access to systems, the proper maintenance of restrictions, and copyright management within Special Collections’ systems.

• Works with Technology, consultants, and CHHC project staff  to craft interfaces that promote excellent user experiences and create opportunities for crowd sourcing and other forms of community participation.

Strategic Planning (15%)