SVP, Publicity & Communications (National Geographic)

As the Senior Vice President of Publicity and Communications for National Geographic, you will serve as the lead publicity strategist for the brand, its content and its talent, and act as a strategic advisor, while reporting directly to, the Head of Marketing for Disney Branded Television and National Geographic. You will also play a vital role in guiding the President, National Geographic with appearances and speaking engagements.

In the daily work of this opportunity, you will manage the publicity and communications departments' operations. As the Senior Vice President, you will be expected to navigate effective relationships with entertainment journalists. Your goal will be to identify opportunities to engage the press in a meaningful way to protect and promote the many compelling stories about the work that is being done across National Geographic.

You will directly manage two VPs and two Directors. Working closely with your team, you will determine show assignments and oversee press releases and media guides while also working with senior executives on drafting and editing speeches. Additionally, you will be responsible for media training our leaders as well as evaluating and approving executive appearances and speaking engagements.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the development and execution of communications strategies that promote, enhance, and protect the National Geographic brand, its content, and its talent on all platforms.
• Oversee the messaging and manage National Geographic’s reputation through external and internal communications strategies in support of the organization’s strategic goals.
• Lead efforts to identify potential challenges and develop appropriate messaging to help shape our narrative to press and viewers.
• Identify external communications opportunities for our executives while defining and executing appropriate strategies to support them.
• Respond to press inquiries on various matters and serve as a point of contact with key media members.
• Lead the development and execution of media relations campaigns across business, trade, and consumer outlets.
• Pro-actively provide counsel, insight, and guidance to the Head of Marketing on all communications and publicity matters inside and outside of the company.
• Develop crisis communications strategies as needed and manage their execution to stay ahead of critical issues involving talent, content, and personnel.
• Provide strategic guidance and tactical assistance to executives to prepare them for media events, speeches, presentations, and interviews.
• Manage, develop, and collaborate with a team of communications professionals to ensure their continued growth while establishing best practices.
• Collaborate with other departments within National Geographic as well as Corporate Communications, Disney Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Company to share and disseminate information while contributing to strategic planning for company initiatives and processes.
• Manage department budgets to ensure efficient use of the department’s resources and ensure the highest ROI.
• Partner with the National Geographic leadership team to create the network vision and strategy for all consumer publicity campaigns.
• Lead the development and execution of media relations campaigns across business, trade, and consumer outlets. Manage the day-to-day organization and operation of the media relations team.
• Develop communications strategies to promote the National Geographic brand and its content.
• Provide strategic guidance and tactical assistance to executives to prepare them for media events, speeches, presentations, and interviews.

Basic Qualifications:

• Significant hands-on experience successfully crafting and executing communications/messaging campaigns across a variety of trades and consumer media.
• Ability to develop and execute crisis communications campaigns quickly and effectively.
• Experience coaching senior executives for public appearances in the press, on panels, at conferences, etc.
• Record of accomplishment leading/managing successful communications, media relations, and/or publicity professionals in the entertainment space.
• Substantial experience managing/leading teams, developing strategy, and executing plans.
• Must be charismatic and persuasive, able to motivate and inspire their team, peers, and executive leaders.
• Must be autonomous and decisive while overseeing and managing multiple projects at the same time.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working closely with Chairperson and President level executives on difficult or challenging programming related issues.
• Considerable experience leading publicity campaigns for content across a variety of consumer/viewer touchpoints.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

The hiring range for this position in California, New York and Washington, D.C. is $327,600 to $450,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.