Science Manager, Human History & Cultures

HOW YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE
The National Geographic Society invests in a diverse, global community of National Geographic Explorers who are leading a new age of exploration in support of our mission: to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world through science, education, and storytelling. These bold individuals represent more than 140 countries and their vast array of backgrounds, perspectives, and fields bring us to the far reaches of the globe.

The Science & Innovation team oversees the Society’s funding efforts in research, conservation and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Our Human History and Cultures focus area work aims to preserve cultural knowledge and better understand human history, culture, diversity, and evolution—past and present. Across topics like archaeology, cultural anthropology, paleoanthropology, human geography, human migration, and related fields, our goal is to spark curiosity in local and global audiences with stories or learnings about humanity.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Human History and Cultures (HH&C), the Manager’s primary responsibility is evaluating and recommending grants in HH&C, and providing high-quality customer service to grantees—our National Geographic Explorers.

The Manager should have a proactive and collaborative mindset, with a strong sense of accountability and follow-through. Through their work, the Manager will build on the Society's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging with underrepresented groups in the sciences. Competitive applicants will experience designing and implementing conservation and/or scientific research projects, and knowledge of current trends in relevant disciplines. Experience working with local communities and stakeholders is strongly preferred.

YOUR IMPACT

Responsibilities Include:

Strategy and Program Development (15%)
•Support the Senior Manager, HH&C in the strategic development and adaptive management of the focus area’s scientific portfolio.
• Support the identification and advancement of scientific priorities by participating in needs assessment to help identify gaps and opportunities in the HH&C portfolio.
• Understand relevant field(s), stay networked and informed on emerging trends.

Program Management (60%)
• Under supervision, manage scientific aspects of funding opportunities (grants and projects) including development, recruitment, proposal review, and coordination of internal and external review.
• Develop and maintain strong, positive, and empathetic relationships with prospective and active Explorers. Act as primary contact for Explorers leading grants, and serve as an internal subject matter expert on these projects, including understanding the context in which they occur.
• Communicate with Explorers to stay apprised of new discoveries, high profile academic publications, and/or media-friendly results that should be elevated. Represent Explorers’ achievements and needs to a variety of internal and external stakeholders with non-science backgrounds to leverage opportunities within National Geographic to share results and stories with broader audiences.
• Support the identification, cultivation, and management of programmatic partnerships, target communities, and stakeholders to improve initiatives and maximize impact.

Team, Divisional, and Organizational Collaboration (25%)
• Develop and maintain strong positive and empathetic working relationships with other NGS divisions and external teams to maximize impact and reach.
• Represent Science & Innovation at meetings with other NGS divisions, NG Partners divisions, strategic partners, and other outside funders/entities. Draw on expertise to provide scientific context to interested media units.
• Serve on internal cross-platform workgroups as a focus area expert.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Educational Background
• Bachelor’s degree in archaeology, cultural anthropology, human geography or related field required. Master’s degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

• 5+ years of experience leading social sciences research and/or conservation projects required if no Master’s degree. Experience working with local communities and stakeholders is strongly preferred.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills
• Understanding of the scientific method and peer-reviewed literature, with experience in social scientific research and/or conservation.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.
• Ability to work on multiple projects, under deadlines, with changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Desired Qualifications
• Technical proficiency with online tools and databases (e.g. Salesforce, G-Suite tools).
• Ability to compile information from disparate sources (literature review, interviews and conversations, first-hand accounts, etc.) and produce condensed, topline messaging and/or recommendations.
• Experience speaking in front of small and large audiences and putting together reports for many different types of audiences.

Supervision
• No direct reports.

Job Designation
• Hybrid – This position has been designated Hybrid, meaning your position will be performed from NGS Base Camp three fixed days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and can be performed remotely for two fixed days a week (Monday and Friday).