Director, Government Partnerships

How You’ll Contribute

The Advancement team identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, as well as foundation, government and corporate partners who invest in the Society to drive impact through science, technology, education, exploration, and storytelling. The team collaborates across the Society to build transformative and impact-driven strategic partnerships. The team also produces global events that deepen connections and leverage the Society’s power to convene, and directs robust annual, major and planned giving programs empowering the Society with a broad base of public support.

The Director of Government Partnerships serves a critical leader on the Institutional Partnerships and will work to grow NGS partnerships within this sector. Responsible for the pursuit of funding from government agencies and non-governmental organizations to support strategic Society goals, programs, and projects. Contributes superior writing and editing skills to the production of proposal materials. Acting as storyteller, researcher, and collaborator, incumbent weaves complex strategies and technical information from a wide range of sources into compelling submissions for highly competitive funding streams.

Your Impact

Responsibilities

Researches and identifies potential sources of government and NGO funding to support National Geographic Society mission, key programs, and projects. In collaboration with program staff, consultants, and other area experts, crafts clear and persuasive content for high-value grant and cooperative agreement submissions. Ensures all proposal materials meet agency requirements and align with and flow from approved Society institutional messaging/brand positioning. Edits, proofreads, and fact checks written material for proposals. Identifies ways to repurpose content across channels and donor segments. Materials written directly support NGS’s revenue objectives. (40%)

Develops rapport with colleagues across the enterprise to build expertise on goals, objectives, and activities of strategic programs. Works with Leadership, Program teams, and Partnerships staff to understand and capture their vision and direction in writing to support NGS’s project-based fundraising efforts. Collaborates with Foundations and Corporate funding teammates and program staff to determine scope and type of funding needs. Researches and presents options to teams to appraise appropriateness, viability, and timing of potential funding. (20%)

Collaborates with Leadership, Legal, and Finance teams to ensure all proposals align with Society policies and procedures. Educates Program staff on pursuit of government and NGO funding and proposal preparation in accordance with Society guidelines. Oversees schedules and assigns tasks/responsibilities for proposal teams to produce the highest quality submission materials on required deadlines. Works closely with the Director, Compliance to assure efficient and accurate award management. (20%)

As a superior writer and communicator, mentors proposal staff to maintain adherence to high editorial standards. As needed, recruits and manages periodic use of freelance writers, editors, and consultants, evaluating their work and staying within budget and on schedule. (10%)

As needed, provides expertise and skills in crafting materials for case statements; reports; letters; fact sheets; newsletters; presentations; website copy; principal and major gift needs; capital campaign documents; and other texts. Develops suite of strong and consistent tones, styles, and voices pertaining to “ghost writing” on behalf of executives, for different donor segments, and for different communication channels. Develops fundamental understanding of best practices and techniques in writing for all types of donor audiences and applies techniques consistently. (10%)

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Minimum Years of Experience

10+ years of experience focused on the pursuit of government grant funding at a non-profit organization. Comfortable liaising with funding agency personnel and building relationships between non-profit program teams and funders.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

Superior written communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively, edit effectively, and direct proposal teams, including staff, consultants, and partners to meet specific deadlines and document parameters.

Demonstrated understanding of and success in crafting and editing materials for federal funding, including complex and lengthy proposals in the 6-7+ figure range.

Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and the ability to work both independently and in teams to meet deadlines in an evolving environment.

Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of staff, including leadership.

Experience managing direct staff.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in mentoring and educating staff preferred.

Supervision

1+ direct reports.

Salary Information

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 is $110,000 - $136,000.

Pay offered to candidates will be based on several factors including but not limited to industry-based or other relevant work experience, education, skills, certifications, and training.

In addition, 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.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

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.

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