Senior Vice President of Brand & Franchise Management

Overview:

As the Senior Vice President of Brand & Franchise Management at National Geographic, you will be a key leader in defining and executing the brand strategy for one of the world's most iconic and trusted brands. This role demands a strategic thinker who deeply understands brand stewardship, carries a passion for storytelling, and drives executional excellence.   You will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing brand strategies that resonate with diverse global audiences and help drive multiple lines of Nat Geo businesses, while aligning with the values and goals of National Geographic.  This role will directly report into the President of National Geographic Content.

Responsibilities:

Global Brand Strategy and Cross-Portfolio Integration

• Develop and articulate a visionary, unified brand strategy that aligns with National Geographic's mission, values, and global positioning.
• Collaborate across Disney functions and business segments (e.g. Consumer Products, Travel, Parks, Marketing, Ad Sales, etc) to integrate brand strategies and support overall business plans.
• Collaborate with the National Geographic Society to identify ways to deepen partnership and drive new ways of working together to support business goals.
• Ensure National Geographic content priorities are amplified across all Nat Geo branded consumer touchpoints through leading Nat Geo Content’s integrated project planning team.

Brand Stewardship and Management (as stipulated in JV agreement)

• Serve as primary joint-venture brand contact by name for the National Geographic Society.  
• Lead and complete all brand requirements as part of joint venture agreement including brand management, quarterly or semi-annual business update deliverables, and running point on bi-annual meetings.
• In partnership with the Disney Corporate Brand Team, define and refine the brand positioning of National Geographic within the Disney ecosystem, emphasizing its commitment to exploration, science, and storytelling.
• Provide strategic direction to cross-functional teams to ensure consistent brand representation across all touchpoints within The Walt Disney Company.
• Act as the senior most point of contact for all TWDC divisions seeking to use or employ the Nat Geo Brand for products and services, including brand & franchise management.
• Approve all branded marketing and materials use by Nat Geo and TWDC.
• Be responsible for managing and updating all overall brand designs and redesigns.

Brand Initiatives and Innovation

• Lead cross-company (TWDC), cross-portfolio brand initiatives that serve as brand deposit moments for National Geographic in close partnership with the Disney Corporate Brand team such as the annual Nat Geo/TWDC Earth Month campaign.
• Develop and deepen Nat Geo’s relationship with the Disney Corporate Brand team to drive efforts to increase brand awareness and engagement on a global scale across TWDC.
• Collaborate with Corporate Brand Research to consistently measure the health and value of the Nat Geo brand and to identify opportunities to innovate and enhance audience connection and loyalty.
• Manage the primary research work that supports National Geographic Media. Differentiated from, but working closely with the teams who conduct brand research or deliver performance data within Disney, this work focuses on the tactical research that will improve audience engagement and conversion across National Geographic’s content platforms – especially subscriber acquisition for the magazine and digital editorial offerings. 

Team Leadership

• Lead, inspire and drive excellence as you develop a high-performing brand management, franchise, and integrated planning team.
• Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, and commitment to National Geographic's mission.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Brand Management, Business, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Proven ability to navigate in highly matrixed organizations through the successful development of collaborative relationships.
• Demonstrated success in building and evolving global brands and teams.
• Proven experience in senior executive-level brand management roles, ideally with a focus on media and entertainment.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities.
• Deep understanding and appreciation for National Geographic's mission, values, and culture.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and written skills.

If you are a visionary brand leader with a passion for storytelling, exploration, and conservation, and you have a proven track record of successfully driving brand initiatives on a global scale, we invite you to apply for this prestigious leadership position at National Geographic.