Director, Interactive Storytelling

Job Description

Department Overview:

National Geographic Media is responsible for publishing National Geographic's world-renowned content, featuring breathtaking photography and an iconic magazine, as well as maintaining an exceptional social media presence. Our objective is to captivate audiences through incredible storytelling and establish a long-lasting relationship with Nat Geo's followers. This team covers all aspects of the consumer journey, including print, digital, social, and audio content creation, generating awareness through social media and newsletters, acquisition and retention marketing, print operations, international licensing, and digital platforms. Nat Geo Media aspires to be the largest publisher for anyone interested in exploring the world and learning how to care for it.

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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About Disney Entertainment Television:

Disney Entertainment Television is a collection of renowned content brands at The Walt Disney Company creating original entertainment and news programming for the company's streaming platforms Disney+, Hulu and Star, and its broadcast and cable networks. Its extensive portfolio is comprised of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective, in addition to Disney Television Studios, which include 20th Television, 20th Television Animation, ABC Signature and Walt Disney Television Alternative. Responsible for over 4,500 hours of programming a year across more than 300 programs of all genres, Disney Entertainment Television's creative brands are at the forefront of groundbreaking storytelling, captivating audiences and generating critical acclaim. In 2023, Disney Entertainment Television's programming excellence earned 163 Emmy® nominations across daytime, primetime, news & documentary, and children's & family categories.

This position is with National Geographic Partners PAY SVC, which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment Television.

National Geographic Partners PAY SVC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r1xz7e-216-73-216-39-42 in your application.