What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Development Specialist position at National Geographic?
How You’ll Contribute
The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, , is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. Components of the new Museum will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard.
In addition to this new on-campus experience, National Geographic Society has an existing business of touring exhibitions and immersive experiences that will be growing and expanding. The Exhibitions department is responsible for developing and bringing to life the exhibits and experiences at the Museum, as well as creating, developing, marketing, and selling our traveling exhibitions products.
The Business Development Specialist will report to the Vice President of Exhibitions to drive operational excellence, streamline workflows and enhance the efficiency of sales processes and exhibition planning. This role serves as a key connector among cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and productivity in achieving organizational objectives.
Your Impact
Responsibilities Include :
Exhibitions Operations and Coordination (50%)
Develop and maintain project schedules, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and timely task execution.
Monitor and report on sales team performance, leveraging CRM tools to provide actionable insights and ensure progress toward KPIs.
Assist in onboarding and training new sales team members to uphold company standards and goals.
Track RFPs and proposals, research vendors and coordinate sales pipeline activities to optimize outcomes.
Maintain compliance with company policies for contracts, expenses, and reporting to support seamless sales operations.
Exhibition Planning and Execution (25%)
Collaborate with the Exhibitions team to identify and develop new business operations to streamline timelines and create efficiencies.
Support the creative and project management teams in executing exhibitions, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope and aligned with business goals.
Draft and manage budgets for exhibitions, monitoring expenses to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Act as a liaison between internal teams and external stakeholders, maintaining clear communication and delivering high-quality results.
Administrative and Schedule Management (25%)
Manage the VP of Exhibitions calendar, coordinating meetings, travel, and event attendance.
Prepare clear agendas, meeting notes, and follow-up action items for key meetings.
Oversee the processing and tracking of expenses, ensuring adherence to budgets and timely submission for reimbursement.
Archive key assets, documents, and presentations to maintain a comprehensive and organized project database.
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing or a related field preferred.
Minimum Years and Types of Experience
3 years of experience in business development, sales operations or project management.
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Proven ability to manage complex schedules and coordinate cross-functional teams.
Proficient in CRM systems (, Salesforce), project management software and Google Office Suite.
Experience tracking budgets, drafting proposals, and supporting large-scale projects such as exhibitions or events.
Adept at prioritizing multiple projects and ensuring timely execution in a fast-paced environment.
Supervision
No direct reports
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 starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
The salary range for this position is $70,300 - $74,000.
In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.
Job Designation
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.
Salary : $70,300 - $74,000
