Senior Director, National Geographic Live

The National Geographic Live (NG Live) team brings the stories of National Geographic to life through unique experiences. We partner with National Geographic explorers and photographers to unpack their stories and build them into compelling narratives, and then enable the content to be effectively delivered to audiences across the planet. The team works with internal partners to ensure that National Geographic Society’s advancement and explorer elevation goals are supported by NG Live programs. The current primary businesses of NG Live are its Speaker Series, public performances hosted in theaters and performing arts centers, and its Speakers Bureau, which provides speakers to private audiences.

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). The new public space will include a state-of-the-art lobby, theater, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, one-of-a-kind outdoor nighttime projection show, retail store, restaurant, rooftop bar, education center, tour program, and event space. The project also includes a National Geographic branded hotel. The transformed campus of National Geographic will be prepared to receive up to 1 million visitors per year and will be open 7 days per week. The NG Live team will also run programming at Base Camp after the project is complete.

The Senior Director of National Geographic Live will report to the Head of Campus Planning and Operations and will be responsible for the overall business strategy and execution of the NG Live business, including P&L ownership, team development and leadership, market strategy and venue deals, content strategy and innovation, and planning for Base Camp programming.

• Create business strategy options for NG Live Speaker Series, including types of shows and number of touring concepts each year, number of markets and size of ideal venue, ideal deal structure for venues and speakers based on market comps, and ancillary revenue opportunities such as sponsorship and retail
• Create a business strategy options for NG Live Speakers Bureau, including target audiences, price points based on market comps, target number of speakers on roster, and target number of engagements each year
• Build an overall business proforma reflecting the identified options, project revenues and expenses for 5 years, and recommend optimal business model
• Implement approved business model, with the aim of profitability within 3 years
• Recommend revenue targets and expense budgets annually; responsible for department performance to meet targets and deliver bottom line budgeted net revenue

• Develop and lead the National Geographic Live team in its transition from Disney/National Geographic Partners to National Geographic Society; establish inter-departmental relationships and collaborative working groups across NGS
• Review overall business responsibilities and recommend optimal organizational structure, both for the present and for future business needs as the existing business expand and Base Camp comes online
• Recruit and develop a cohesive team of storytellers, event operators, and entertainment bookers to achieve the business goals of NG Live
• Build a strong team culture, focused on creativity, teamwork, innovation, and service of the overall National Geographic mission

• Recommend target markets that will meet National Geographic advancement goals and NG Live net revenue goals; create a multi-year phased expansion plan
• Oversee venue selection within selected markets
• Lead venue deal and contract negotiation, maximizing NG Live revenue, upside, and opportunity for donor engagement/solicitation
• Oversee venue roster pitches on an annual basis
• Assess market and venue performance annually and recommend adjustments as needed

• Develop content strategy for the Speaker Series, including event types, lengths and styles of shows, targeting audiences that align with NGS strategic priorities
• Oversee annual Speaker Series roster development, ensuring that speakers reflect the current work of the Society and meet explorer elevation and advancement goals, while also meeting NG Live revenue, audience satisfaction, and event attendance goals
• Oversee Speakers Bureau roster, ensuring that speakers and topics are marketable to target audiences and will maximize NG Live revenue while also meeting NG Live explorer elevation goals
• Lead the development of programming plans for Base Camp, taking advantage of the myriad spaces and experiences that are already designed; collaborate with the Experiences and Hotel teams to create a portfolio of concepts that will appeal to a variety of audiences and highlight the historical and ongoing work of NGS

• Oversee the execution of all venue, client, and speaker contracts, ensuring that the quality of the shows delivered and the customer service approach meets the National Geographic standard
• Collaborate with internal departments on Speaker Series marketing strategy, venue guidelines, and execution
• Collaborate with internal departments on Speaker Series sponsorship sales and activations to meet revenue targets and ensure renewal; ensure venue partner sponsors are reviewed internally, meet brand standards, and are activated within NGS guidelines
• Establish annual NG Live business cycle that aligns with the needs of our typical venues and clients, including roster selection, show development, and contracting
• Develop and oversee the implementation of internal business processes to ensure business agreements are documented and fulfilled, information is appropriately organized and accessible, and business performance can be measured; this will include the establishment of a department CRM, contracts process, centralized file shares, etc.

• Deep understanding of the theater and performing arts center industry, with experience negotiating deals on either the venue or the content side
• Deep understanding of typical deal structures at theaters/PACs and ability to maximize revenue and upside while minimizing risk for NGS
• Extensive network of contacts in venues across North America
• Proven success in creating and implementing a live entertainment / events business model and being responsible for meeting gross and net revenue goals
• Experience developing and leading a team, specifically through a season of change and growth
• Experience developing content and creating new event concepts for national tours
• Understanding of the current trends in the live entertainment and corporate events industry
• Demonstrated ability to establish strong partnership relationships, both internally and externally
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with senior business executives, talent, and other high-level internal and external partners
• Sound judgment and strategic thinking
• Ability to work in a fast paced, multi-phase project environment with shifting priorities
• Superior written and oral communications skills
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed, travel approximately 25% of time, and be on call 7 days per week
• Proficiency in both the Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace tools

• Past experience working with National Geographic explorers; understanding of and passion for National Geographic Society’s mission

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 they prefer.