Director, Project Management (Experiences)

How You’ll Contribute

The Director, Project Management is a key leader for the National Geographic Society Experiences team and oversees the coordination of internal resources and personnel necessary to create the National Geographic HQ public space renovation project: Base Camp – Home of the Explorer. Additionally, the Director of Project Management provides coaching, guidance, direction, and leadership to the project team and project managers and coordinators.

The Director, Project Management reports to the VP, Planning & Development, National Geographic Society Experiences team. The Director Project Management has 3-4 Direct Reports including Project managers and Project coordinators. The project managers and coordinators work with internal and external project partners and stakeholders.

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a $300 million public space renovation project to be completed in 2026 (called Base Camp). Components of the new guest experience will include a state-of-the-art lobby/guest hub, theater, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attractions, retail, F&B, rooftop bar, education center, VIP tours and exciting new event space. A fully sustainable, on brand hotel will also be built and operated by a third party on the campus. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime entertainment show on the plaza.

The ideal candidate has experience leading project management teams on large and complex projects in a creative environment. This leader is an effective collaborator, who also provides strong structure and process for the team’s success.

Your Impact

ResponsibilitiesInclude:

Project Management Team Leadership (70%)

• Manage, mentor, and develop an existing team of Project Managers and Project Coordinators.

• Establish and manage the intake and backlog of proposals/requests to enable the efficient use of creative resources and make sure we’re not overcommitted.

• Ensure interdependencies across project areas are identified effectively and risks are managed preemptively.

• Design and implement performance targets for Planning & Development department and individual contributors.

• Provide support to project managers and coordinators to standardize the execution of projects, improving communication and risk management.

Team, Divisional and Organizational Collaboration (20%):

• Ensure the Planning & Development department designs and changes are captured in policies, procedures, or guidelines to properly communicate across the organization.

• Develop strong working relationships with Experiences team and other NGS departments to maximize Basecamp impact and reach. Serves and/or leads internal cross-platform workgroups to maximize strategy results and scale.

Team Culture (10%):

• Actively contribute to the development of the NGS Experiences team culture and standards of quality.

• Build and maintain relationships with senior leadership and key stakeholders, and act as a trusted advisor.

• Regularly review and evaluate opportunities to improve the Society’s project management best practices to achieve higher maturity.

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field. Post Grad in Business or Public Administration preferred.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

10 years of relevant experience with at least 5 years of management experience leading project management teams.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Exhibit strong team leadership and decision-making skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.

• Outstanding attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Deep understanding of project management, workflow, infrastructure, overall project lifecycles, and management methodologies/styles.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus.

Desired Qualifications

A PMP Certification is desirable but not required. Background in the themed entertainment business is a plus but not a prerequisite.

Supervision

Lead a team of 3-4 Project Managers and Project Coordinators

Salary Information

As a leading nonprofit organization, National Geographic Society offers competitive salary and total rewards to attract, develop, and retain an innovative and dynamic workforce.

The salary range for this position starts at $125,000.

Job Designation

Resident - Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must always be onsite to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present some of the time. Some Resident staff may need to come into Base Camp every day, some may need to come in to meet looming deadlines and to get work done, and others may require a more unique schedule. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule can be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work. As a guideline, Resident staff will be in the office between 3-5 days a week.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.