Production Project Manager (Communications)

The Communications division leads the development and execution of integrated communications and marketing strategies to further the mission of the National Geographic Society (NGS) 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 Senior Graphic Designer, the Production Project Manager (Communications), will work closely with the Brand and Creative team to help produce Society wide brand and creative outputs that are excellent–innovative, intelligent, and authentically communicate our mission. The Manager is passionate about creating excellent brand, marketing, and communications materials that achieve Communications divisions and NG Next goals and are informed by our brand standards. The position is dedicated to high touch project management, working with project leads, brand, marketing, communications, and other colleagues and vendors to ensure that project goals are understood and delivered.

The Manager is highly organized, resourceful, solutions oriented, and a team player. They will meet regularly with Brand and Creative team members monitoring, tracking, and reporting the movement of team deliverables, resulting in finished print collateral, brand activations, events, campaigns, exhibitions, and other outputs. The position will record and report on project feedback, communicating needs to the team to ensure an effective and focused project. The Manager will serve as daily contact to vendors to ensure competitive pricing, while maintaining quality and brand consistency. The position will oversee final proofing and pre-flighting of outbound production work and will ensure completion of all projects on time and budget. The Manager will be well versed in the most current production and media trends, print, digital, and emerging media.

• Partner with the Brand and Creative team leadership on tactical management of the team's day to day projects: (1) Forecast upcoming project scheduling and budget needs for the Brand and Creative team; (2) Responsible for creating estimates, managing vendors, submitting and tracking PO’s, invoices, and contracts for outside agencies and vendors, ensuring compliance with NGS policy and timely delivery of assets; (3) Work closely and collaboratively with Brand and Creative team and VP, Brand and Creative to develop project schedules and monitor team deliverables; (4) Schedule and lead Brand and Creative team production meetings, reporting on progress of jobs based on project management reporting and dashboards. Track and report on all ongoing open creative projects from start to completion; (5) Establish productive and collaborative day-to-day relationships with the Brand and Creative team as well as a variety of departments across the Communications division.
• Write and track RFP’s and research vendors, contractors, and specialists to deliver top quality and cost-effective work.
• Sourcing and managing branded promotional items.
• Monitor, code, approve, and reconcile invoices and monitor expenses related to team deliverables, ensuring compliance with NGS’s procedures and policies.

• With direction from the Brand and Creative team leadership: (1) Establish project intake forms and creative briefs utilizing project management software. Schedule kick off meetings with key stakeholders, reconciling any questions to hand off clearly informed creative briefs to the Brand and Creative team; (2) Work with Communications division leadership quarterly to identify project priorities for their teams and identify any new project deliverables and deadlines; (3) Systematically develop timelines in project management software and manage orderly flow of project lifecycle from initial scope and development through production and delivery of final work.
• Lead weekly stand up call with “channel” owners (marketing, web, email, advertising, social, etc.) to discuss current projects, creating agendas and sending clear and concise recaps with action items.
• Ensure projects are routed for proper approval and all sign offs are recorded.
• Utilize basic skills in design software, make minor edits, review final preflight files, and coordinate with vendor representatives.

• Prepare periodic reporting, as needed, on project and workload progress.
• Compile, organize, and archive all assets, drawings, documents, and presentations related to the development and maintenance of projects.
• Formally and informally review processes (blueprints), provide critiques of quality and effectiveness, recommend new practices for greater success and efficiency.

• Highly organized with ability to develop and manage large, complex budgets and schedules.
• Knowledge and experience using Adobe Creative Suite systems, project management software, and Google suite required.
• Ability to manage multiple deadline-driven projects simultaneously.
• Pays high attention to nuanced detail.
• Superb verbal and written communications skills.
• Capacity to work effectively in a team environment and independently.
• Solutions-oriented, always looking for ways to improve efficiency and solve problems.

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.