Sr. Manager, MEL (Blue Boundaries - SIP)

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).

NGS is preparing to broaden our science and innovation portfolio with a new research and conservation program called Blue Boundaries that will focus research and conservation efforts in freshwater wetlands, coastlands and reefs. The Science and Innovation Programs team is hiring for a Senior Manager, Metrics and Evaluation (MEL) to establish and implement a robust Impact Measurement Framework for the Blue Boundaries program to establish clear measures of success and quantifiable impact-based indicators that will serve to enhance science knowledge, enable rigorous monitoring, evaluation and reporting and deliver scalable impact throughout the life of the program and beyond.

This is a strategic role in the organization working in a priority program area. Reporting into the Senior Director, Blue Boundaries, the Senior Manager MEL will work with internal staff, including the NGS Strategic Insights and Initiatives team, and National Geographic Explorers and partners to establish the framework and implement it across the program, developing theories of change, logic models and monitoring and evaluation plans, as well as manage the implementation of program evaluations including study design, data collection and analysis.

The ideal candidate is flexible, analytical, able to work independently and collaborate with a team, and has prior experience implementing monitoring and evaluation approaches on impact-driven programs. Candidates should also be organized, conscientious, passionate about research for a purpose, and possess strong interpersonal skills.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

Impact Measurement and Program Development (50%)

• In collaboration with the Senior Director, Blue Boundaries and the NGS Strategic Insights and Initiatives team, develop and execute on a robust Impact Measurement Framework that is aligned with the Blue Boundaries program proposal and supports the NGS theory of impact.

• Recommend program priorities based on strategic goals, impact potential and probability of success such that individual grant investments collectively achieve greater impact

• Liaise with program team, subject matter experts and academic partners, on request for proposal (RFP) and funding strategy for each program phase. Includes developing evaluation rubrics for each RFP to ensure funding aligns with Impact Measurement Framework for total portfolio of at least 90 grants over the 6 year term ranging from $20,000 investments to $1M+.

• Participate in systematic onboarding of programmatic Explorers to ensure proper project planning and tracking.

• Cultivate relationships with critical program stakeholders, including academic partners, Explorers and funders, to create meaningful partnerships to improve outcomes. Attend program convenings to meet with Explorers and assess impact.

• Plan and execute site visits to Explorers in the field to assess progress and evaluate impact

• Increase Blue Boundaries Explorer capacity by (1) designing and facilitating in-person and online monitoring and evaluation trainings, (2) conducting individual grantee consultations, (3) developing grantee-focused monitoring and evaluation resources and toolkits.

Program Reporting (40%)

• Present relevant Metrics and Evaluation updates and status updates at high level programmatic meetings with Explorers, Senior Leadership and Funders.

• Steers programmatic strategic planning with evidence-informed program strategy, logic models, and project concepts that support the achievement of Blue Boundaries goals and NG NEXT organization-wide long-term goals.

• Leverage existing standardized institutional monitoring and evaluation tools, guidelines, and resources, such as research plan templates, monitoring frameworks with standard indicators, evaluation strategy documents, etc.

• In coordination with other departments, develop opportunities to highlight the Blue Boundaries program internally at NGS to help educate staff on the program and impact.

Team, Divisional and Organization Collaboration (10%)

• Lead and advise colleagues (e.g., working group members) in ways that create trust, spark growth and encourage innovative work that contributes to NGS inclusivity and impact.

• Collaborate directly with NGS internal Strategic Insights and Initiatives team on program evaluation

• Supports, mentors, and empowers staff to elevate their level of accountability and performance in a matrixed and dynamic work environment.

• On behalf of Science & Innovation, develops strong working relationships with other NGS divisions and external teams to maximize impact and reach.

• Provides support in the development of inter-team communication and cohesiveness.

• Identifies, cultivates, and manages strategic partnerships and high-impact communities and stakeholders to support initiatives and maximize impact.

• Manage and leverage the work of the subject matter experts.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Master’s degree required, preferably in a conservation, resource management, social science or public administration with a concentration in research methodology or program evaluation.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

7+ years of experience in a professional setting leading the design and execution of research and evaluation studies that drive significant impact. M&E experience at a conservation organization, foundation, research institute, or consulting firm strongly preferred.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills Required

• Significant knowledge of and experience working with grants programs and teams

• Superior ability to adapt, be flexible, and rearrange priorities to serve changing organizational needs

• Experience managing complex, mixed-methods research studies that yield actionable results

• Superior interpersonal skills, including ability to work with and advise leaders and staff members at all levels with a positive and collaborative attitude

• Ability to articulate clear goals and inspire cohesion of team members around those goals

• Expert ability to communicate research and evaluation findings to non-research-oriented audiences

• Authoritative knowledge of research and evaluation concepts and methodologies

• Demonstrated record of managing complex projects, meeting deadlines, and handling competing and changing priorities

• Significant experience developing monitoring systems, logic models and evaluation plans, including identifying and defining indicators

• Extensive experience developing well-designed survey instruments to meet research objectives of individual programs

• Superior interpersonal skills, including ability to work with and advise leaders and staff members at all levels with a positive and collaborative attitude.

• Experience analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to produce insights, general statistics and basic regressions

• Experience presenting to large groups and senior leadership

Desired Qualifications

• Strong desire to continuously learn and take on new challenges

• Experience working on large scale, non-U.S. evaluation projects preferred

• Experience speaking in front of small and large audiences and putting together reports for different types of audiences.

• Ability to travel, domestically and internationally

Supervision

none

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 $118,750.00 - $125,000.00.

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 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); 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.