Director, Interactive Storytelling - National Geographic

Department Overview:

NG Media’s Editorial team produces National Geographic's content across digital, mobile, and audio platforms, as well as five print products: National Geographic magazine, National Geographic History, National Geographic Kids, National Geographic Little Kids, and Special Interest Publications. Situated within Editorial’s Creative department, the Interactive Storytelling team focuses on creating exceptional digital experiences that ensure National Geographic’s award-winning journalism, photography, graphics, maps, video, and audio come to life for our digital users in the most compelling, engaging, immersive ways by leveraging the power of technology and design.

Job Summary:

As the Director of Interactive Storytelling for National Geographic, you will be responsible for managing a group of developers and digital storytellers that collaborates with world-class designers, illustrators, graphics specialists, cartographers, and typographers to build immersive digital storytelling experiences. You and your team will also work closely with colleagues commissioning Nat Geo's award-winning photography, video, audio, and text-based content to ensure we are able to create engaging and immersive experiences for our readers and users utilizing a range of asset types.

The Director of Interactive Storytelling will play a pivotal role in defining how our most ambitious storytelling—from individual pieces to complex content packages—best comes to life in digital platforms. You will bring sophisticated thinking about user experience and design along with a deep understanding of what is technically possible and shape the future of how National Geographic innovates creatively to drive ever greater user engagement with our content. 

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

• Day-to-day management of long-range planning for and execution of interactive storytelling projects, including defining asset needs and technical requirements, roles and responsibilities, workflows, and project plans, and managing the execution of work from the ideation stage to launch

• Partner with content creators across the organization to conceptualize and define digital experiences for our content, ensuring interactive thinking is at the fore of our creative process

• Identify ongoing needs and opportunities to enable the creation of interactive experiences within our platform, proactively identifying potential issues and finding innovative solutions that enable progress

• Manage relationships and collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure our tools and technologies meet current standards and that roadmaps reflect our development needs

• Mentor and train new members of the group in production standards and manage out-of-the-office freelance help

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience conceptualizing and creating interactive digital content experiences, preferably in a leadership role within a large media organization, managing teams of developers, UX designers, and content creators at various levels

• A thorough understanding of user experience design principles and their practical application in developing immersive and captivating interactive experiences

• Proficiency in utilizing diverse software tools and technologies, including web development platforms, content management systems, and multimedia authoring tools

• Excellent organizational, project planning, presentation, and time management skills with meticulous attention to detail and problem-solving abilities

• Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of people in highly matrixed conditions across numerous departments and with colleagues outside Editorial

• Proven track record in growing digital audiences and expanding audience demographics through content

• Strong familiarity with digital media platforms and products and business models preferred

Required Education:

• College undergraduate degree

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