Manager, Photography (National Geographic)

National Geographic is looking for a globally minded, digitally-fluent Manager, Photography to lead visual strategy and execution across National Geographic’s editorial platforms. This is a senior leadership role for a creative visionary with deep global experience in photography, outstanding editorial judgment, and a proven ability to shape visual identity, guide teams, and deliver standout storytelling with international reach.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished photo editor and leader with a passion for creating powerful visual narratives—from longform reportage to conceptual imagery and social-first features. You’ll be responsible for delivering world-class photography across digital, social, and print, and for elevating the brand’s visual storytelling across all touchpoints.

You thrive in fast-paced environments and are just as comfortable producing quick-turn digital features as you are leading complex, months-in-the-making projects. With a strong network of diverse and exceptional photographers, you bring an eagerness to push creative boundaries and connect with global audiences in innovative ways.

This role is deeply collaborative, working closely with writers, editors, designers, producers, and photographers to ensure each story is visually compelling, on-brand, and delivered on deadline. Just as important, you’re a thoughtful mentor and strategic thinker who’s passionate about growing talent and elevating editorial excellence across the team.

Primary Responsibilities:

Leadership & Vision:

• Assist and contribute to the vision of the Director of Photography, helping drive the brand’s global visual strategy across all platforms.

• Help represent the visuals department in leadership meetings and collaborate cross-functionally on major editorial and marketing initiatives.

• Champion diversity in visual storytelling and cultivate talent that reflects a broad, global perspective.

Creative Direction:

• Lead photo concepting, commissioning, and execution of major global editorial packages, covers, and special series.

• Partner with editors and designers to develop engaging, digitally optimized imagery for international stories and multi-language editions.

• Oversee photo coverage of major global events, destinations, and personalities, ensuring local authenticity and editorial excellence.

Team & Talent Development:

• Supervise a distributed team of photo editors, producers, and freelancers across multiple time zones.

• Build and maintain a global network of photographers, fixers and producers.

• Mentor junior staff and uphold editorial standards, efficiency, and team cooperation mentality.

Production & Operations:

• Oversee planning and logistics for international shoots, including travel coordination, local crew sourcing, and risk management.

• Manage rights and licensing for global syndication, branded partnerships, and multi-platform usage.

• Help to optimize asset workflows, metadata tagging, and DAM systems for multi-market needs.

Platform-Specific Visual Strategy:

• Collaborate with social, video, and product teams to ensure photography is tailored for each platform (Instagram, Digital O&O, newsletters, etc.).

• Stay ahead of visual trends in digital storytelling and help evolve the brand.

Basic Qualifications:

• 8 years of photo editing experience in a media / publishing environment

• Outstanding editorial judgement, strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills

• Excellent visual taste and a wide range of knowledge about and appreciation for visual storytelling and photojournalism.

• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, strong knowledge of the National Geographic brand and mission

• Ability to take overall responsibility for concept and content, as well as manage creative relationships.

• Keen understanding of industry goals, varied approaches to storytelling, and ability to manage multiple projects at once, on deadline.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Self-motivated and resourceful, work independently, problem solve creatively, and exercise independent judgement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with/knowledge of National Geographic’s core content areas (wildlife, history and/or archaeology, nature, science, and travel) strongly preferred.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $113,800.00 to $152,500.00 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.