About National Geographic – A Legacy of Exploration and Storytelling
National Geographic stands at the intersection of science, adventure, culture, and visual storytelling. With a global audience that spans television, streaming platforms, digital channels, and print magazines, the brand inspires curiosity, fuels discovery, and drives meaningful change. As a part of the larger Disney family, National Geographic channels its iconic reputation into innovative content experiences that captivate millions daily. Our mission is to ignite wonder while delivering insightful, purpose‑driven narratives that resonate across generations.
Joining National Geographic means becoming a steward of a brand that has been a trusted source of knowledge for over a century. You’ll work alongside award‑winning storytellers, cutting‑edge technologists, and data enthusiasts who share a common passion: turning complex insights into compelling stories that move audiences and business outcomes.
Position Overview – Your Role in Shaping Audience Insight
We are seeking a highly skilled Strategic Consumer Insights Manager who will serve as the analytical catalyst for National Geographic’s content ecosystem. Operating in a remote‑first environment with a flexible schedule that includes four days a week onsite in Washington, D.C., you will own the end‑to‑end lifecycle of primary research initiatives that drive audience engagement, subscription growth, and cross‑platform conversion. Your expertise will enable cross‑functional teams—ranging from television & streaming producers to digital marketers and magazine editors—to translate raw data into actionable, story‑centric recommendations that shape strategic decisions at every level of the organization.
Key Responsibilities – Turning Data Into Narrative Gold
- Design & Execute Primary Research: Conceptualize, plan, and lead quantitative surveys, qualitative focus groups, deep‑dive interviews, and occasional UX studies to answer tactical questions that impact content performance.
- Develop Insight‑Driven Storytelling: Transform complex data sets into clear, visually compelling presentations that narrate audience behavior, preferences, and emerging trends.
- Build & Manage Feedback Loops: Establish ongoing mechanisms—such as pulse surveys, social listening dashboards, and in‑app feedback tools—to continuously capture audience sentiment and inform iterative content improvements.
- Support Multi‑Channel Business Units: Deliver regular reporting and ad‑hoc analyses for television, streaming, digital, and print teams, providing metrics on reach, engagement, and media valuation.
- Leverage Syndicated & Omnibus Data: Mine external data sources (e.g., Nielsen, ComScore, industry reports) to enrich internal insights and position National Geographic as a thought leader within the media landscape.
- Influence Executive Decision‑Making: Partner directly with senior leadership to surface high‑impact market opportunities, forecast audience shifts, and guide long‑term strategic planning.
- Vendor Management: Identify, negotiate with, and coordinate external research partners, ensuring methodological rigor, timely delivery, and cost‑effective solutions.
- Thought‑Leadership Cadence: Publish periodic insight briefings, whitepapers, and internal newsletters that keep stakeholders informed of emerging consumer trends and competitive dynamics.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Foster strong relationships with product, editorial, marketing, and technology teams to embed insights into the content creation lifecycle.
Essential Qualifications – Foundations for Success
- Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in consumer insights, market research, UX research, or strategic analytics within media, entertainment, or related industries.
- Proven ability to design, execute, and synthesize quantitative and qualitative research projects from concept through delivery.
- Demonstrated skill in crafting compelling visual narratives using tools such as PowerPoint, Tableau, Looker, or Domo.
- Experience managing high‑visibility projects and presenting findings to C‑suite executives.
- Proficiency with DIY survey platforms (Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey), data analysis software (SPSS, R, Python), and online qualitative tools (UserTesting, Lookback.io).
- Strong vendor management experience, including RFP development and contract negotiation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to distill complex concepts into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Critical thinking and analytical acumen to assess business needs, identify data gaps, and generate insight‑driven solutions.
- Ability to work onsite in Washington, D.C. four days per week; remote work permissible for the remaining day.
Preferred Qualifications – Adding Extra Depth
- Master’s degree or higher in Social Sciences, Business (MBA), Statistics, or a related discipline.
- Experience within a globally recognized media organization, preferably with a focus on audience development for TV, streaming, or magazine platforms.
- Familiarity with advanced statistical techniques (e.g., multivariate regression, segmentation modeling, conjoint analysis).
- Track record of publishing industry‑wide research or thought pieces that influence external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA) and best practices for ethical consumer research.
- Multilingual capabilities or experience researching diverse, international audiences.
Core Skills & Competencies – What Sets You Apart
- Strategic Mindset: Ability to see the big picture while drilling down into granular data to uncover hidden opportunities.
- Storytelling Acumen: Transform numbers into narratives that inspire action across creative and business teams.
- Collaboration & Influence: Build trust and credibility with cross‑functional partners, leading through influence rather than authority.
- Project Management: Keep multiple research programs on schedule, within budget, and aligned with stakeholder expectations.
- Technical Proficiency: Comfortable navigating data platforms, statistical software, and visualization tools.
- Adaptability: Thrive in a fast‑changing media environment where audience behaviors evolve rapidly.
- Curiosity & Continuous Learning: Stay abreast of emerging research methodologies, technology trends, and industry benchmarks.
Tools, Technologies & Methodologies
Success in this role is amplified by mastery of a diverse toolbox. You will frequently work with:
- Survey platforms: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms.
- Statistical & analytical software: SPSS, SAS, R, Python (pandas, numpy).
- Data visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Looker, Domo.
- Qualitative research tools: UserTesting, Dovetail, Zoom Webinars for focus groups.
- Social listening & sentiment analysis: Brandwatch, Sprout Social, Meltwater.
- Project management: Asana, Trello, Jira, Microsoft Teams.
Collaboration & Influence – Partnering Across the Enterprise
As the voice of the audience, you will act as a bridge between insight generation and content creation. You’ll work closely with:
- Editorial & Creative Teams: Inform story angles, episode themes, and visual design concepts.
- Product & UX Designers: Provide user‑behavior data that guides platform enhancements and feature roadmaps.
- Marketing & Growth Teams: Shape acquisition strategies, retention campaigns, and personalized messaging.
- Finance & Media Valuation Analysts: Contribute data that underpins advertising rate cards and partnership negotiations.
- Executive Leadership: Deliver strategic briefings that influence long‑term brand positioning and investment decisions.
By fostering a culture of data‑driven curiosity, you will ensure that every decision—from the headline of a magazine issue to the algorithm behind a recommendation engine—is rooted in a deep understanding of the audience.
Learning, Development & Career Growth
National Geographic is committed to investing in the professional development of its people. In this role, you will benefit from:
- Access to internal and external training programs on advanced research methods, data science, and storytelling.
- Mentorship opportunities with senior analytics leaders across Disney’s broader media portfolio.
- Attendance at premier industry conferences such as the Market Research Society (MRS) Forum, Nielsen Media Conference, and SXSW.
- Opportunities to lead cross‑functional innovation labs that explore emerging technologies like AI‑driven audience segmentation and immersive VR research.
- A clear career ladder that can progress to Senior Insights Director, Head of Audience Strategy, or broader leadership roles within Disney’s analytics ecosystem.
Work Environment & Culture – Where Curiosity Thrives
Our culture embodies the spirit of exploration that National Geographic is renowned for. We cultivate an environment where:
- Ideas are welcomed from every level, encouraging a “starter‑engine” mindset where curiosity fuels action.
- Flexibility is respected; while collaboration thrives in the D.C. office, remote work empowers balance and focus.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our DNA, ensuring that the insights we generate reflect the richness of global audiences.
- Recognition is frequent—whether through spot bonuses, “Insight of the Month” awards, or public celebration of research impact.
- Well‑being is prioritized through comprehensive health programs, mental‑health resources, and generous paid time‑off policies.
Compensation, Benefits & Perks
National Geographic offers a competitive total‑reward package designed to attract and retain top talent:
- A base salary range of $83,600 – $114,900 (commensurate with experience, location, and expertise).
- Performance‑based bonuses and potential long‑term incentive units aligned with individual and company success.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and eligible dependents.
- Retirement savings plans with generous employer matching contributions.
- Paid parental leave, flexible vacation, and generous holidays.
- Professional development stipend, tuition assistance, and access to an internal learning portal.
- Employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, and on‑site fitness facilities in the D.C. office.
- Exclusive access to National Geographic content, events, and travel experiences.
Why This Role Is a Game‑Changer for Your Career
Imagine shaping the stories that inspire millions, while using data to navigate the future of media consumption. As a Strategic Consumer Insights Manager, you will not only influence the creative direction of a globally respected brand but also hone a rare blend of analytical rigor and storytelling flair. This position offers a unique platform to leave a lasting imprint on audience engagement strategies that set industry benchmarks.
How to Apply – Take the Next Step Toward Adventure
Ready to channel your curiosity into actionable insight and drive the next wave of audience connection for National Geographic? Apply now by clicking the link below, uploading your resume, and sharing a brief cover letter that illustrates how your experience aligns with our mission.
We look forward to welcoming a passionate, data‑savvy storyteller to our team—someone who is eager to explore uncharted territories of audience insight and help National Geographic continue its legacy of discovery.
Apply Now