Senior Manager, Expeditions- Pristine Seas (Science and Innovation)

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, exploration, 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.

Within NGS, the Science & Innovation team is a department that oversees the Society’s grantmaking efforts in science, conservation and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Over the last fifteen years, Pristine Seas, National Geographic’s flagship ocean conservation program has helped to inspire the protection of 30 of the last wild places in the ocean, encompassing more than 6.9 million square kilometers of ocean. We are seeking a Senior Manager, Expeditions, Pristine Seas to support and scale our approach over the next five years.

The Senior Manager, Expeditions will lead operations, planning, logistics, and provide auxiliary science support in the field for Pristine Seas expeditions. This position is a part of the Expeditions Department of Pristine Seas reporting to the Expedition Director. The Senior Manager develops strategic plans to physically execute the expedition’s goals using boats, tools, SCUBA diving, first aid, gear and safety protocols. The Senior Manager will act as the lead on full-scale expeditions while also participating in pre-expedition planning, scouts, shorter tactical PS trips and trainings. This position supports National Geographic by guiding entire field operations and expeditions while ensuring the safety of all staff and contractors on remote field assignments by providing the most efficient, cost effective, and maximum safety precautions from a trained and experienced staff.

This is a fixed-term position for the dates of 7/1/2026-12/31/2028.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

Expedition Leader (40%)

• Act as Expedition Leader (EL) as designated by the Director, Expeditions

• As EL, acts as the point contact for all logistical, community, and safety led aspects of expeditions;

• Leads both pre and post expedition events, and follows through on subsequent country visits;

• Operate and maintain hyperbaric chamber, small boats, safety, and communication equipment on board expedition vessel;

• Lead all community support activities associated with expedition;

• May act as Expedition Ops lead on some expedition legs as needed

Expeditions Planning (40%)

• Co-lead (with relevant Directors) all pre-planning activities for expeditions, including but not limited to:

  • All scouting trips prior to expedition

  • Facilitate and plan safety, SCUBA, first aid, and communications support

  • Coordination of community participants and necessary permissions in expedition country

• Dive training, certification and safety support 

  • Oversee all dive operations on expedition with oversight of all non- Pristine Seas divers

  • Maintain trainings and certifications, including but not limited to:

    • Advanced First Aid;

    • Recompression Chamber Operator;

    • Compressor Operator;

    • Outboard Motor Operator;

    • Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping

Science Support (10%)

• Assist with assembly of Science Team roster for expeditions in collaboration with V.P. of Research. This includes working closely with Science Lead to establish expedition objectives and providing rosters well in advance of expeditions; 

• Provide science support as needed, including data collection while on expedition and post-expedition. This may include SCUBA surveys, scientific diver support, eDNA data collection, and remote camera deployment, if needed. 

Education (10%)

• Work closely with Director, Education and V.P. of Research to plan, lead, and execute educational aspects of Pristine Seas work in the field, including specific education expeditions

• This work includes location scouts to establish local contacts and participants, preparation of plans in coordination with Education Director, and executing educational activities on expedition

Educational Background

Bachelor's Degree in relevant field required

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

• 7+ years leading teams in field based operations, including research, communications, outreach, and media based objectives 
• 7+ years in marine science, professional diving, professional boating and/or or marine field science support 

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Significant leadership experience and skills

• Significant and relevant field experience. Prior experience on expedition ships strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills

• Extensive small boat handling and maintenance experience, emphasis on diving operations

• Experience with dive compressor operation

• PADI DiveMaster certification or equivalent

• Outboard Motor Operator training

Desired Qualifications

• Certifications:

  • Advanced First Aid training

  • Dive Medic Technician

  • Dive Master level

  • Recompression Chamber Operator

  • Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping.

  • USCG Captain’s license

• Understanding of and passion for natural history and/or history & culture

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment

• Ability to successfully work within a highly collaborative team environment

Supervision

No direct reports

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 $109,250.00 - $115,000.00.

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

Remote - Our Remote designation includes staff who must work in another location in the U.S. or abroad, such as our regional leads for our Education and International teams or regional fundraisers in Advancement. Staff may also be designated as Remote by their supervisors (with approval by the Senior Team lead) because of their job duties, and are afforded this status when it is beneficial to NGS, their respective team, and the employee.

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.