Manager, Rights and Reproductions (Storytelling)
National Geographic Society, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Manager, Rights and Reproductions (Storytelling)
The Storytelling team works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. As one of the largest funders to individual storytellers, it identifies key grantmaking and fellowship opportunities with creative talent. Much of the team’s programmatic activity focuses on identifying and building capacity for the next generation of diverse storytellers. Reporting to the Director of Outreach and Engagement, the Manager of Rights and Reproductions plays a key role in managing intellectual property rights, licensing, and other rights‑related matters within the Society’s Special Collections. This role involves close collaboration with the Society’s Legal team, Campus and Experiences, and partners at Disney and Cengage. The manager oversees reproduction and use requests, manages licensing agreements, and contributes to the strategic development of rights management policies and workflow improvements, ensuring compliance with copyright and usage rights while promoting responsible access, distribution, and reuse of collection materials.
Responsibilities Rights Research and Management
Oversee the interpretation, application, and communication of copyright, intellectual property, and usage rights for collection materials based on guidance from Legal and Business Affairs.
Assess and document rights status for collection items, including public domain status, donor agreements, cultural restrictions and sensitivities, and third‑party rights.
Assist Special Collections and LBA staff with licensing agreements for new acquisitions.
Conduct quality‑control review on assets before sharing with users to ensure alignment with use agreements and rights‑management/access policies.
Conduct preliminary rights clearance research and asset delivery to facilitate decisions in LBA regarding asset use and support documentation by media, communications, and production teams.
Collaborate with Special Collections leadership and other internal stakeholders to streamline and coordinate rights evaluation through unified collections and digital asset management systems. Track audience usage and feedback.
Assist the Senior Manager, Reference and Research in ensuring that all rights and licensing requests are properly scoped, documented and tracked and all research workflows are efficient, transparent and collaborative.
Training and Outreach
Advise staff and stakeholders on rights‑related issues, including fair use, open access, orphan works, and risk management.
Collaborate with the Senior Manager, Reference and Research to develop clear guidance and resources for researchers navigating use/access of Special Collections materials.
Policy and Process Development
Develop and maintain internal policies, procedures, and workflows for rights and reproductions, ensuring alignment with access standards, production and media team needs, and LBA approval.
Educational Background Bachelor’s Degree
Minimum Years And Types Of Experience 5+ years of progressive responsibility in an Archives, Special Collections, museum, or similar setting with demonstrated experience in rights management, copyright, and intellectual property.
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
Broad knowledge of National Geographic history, organization, and mission.
Demonstrated experience in rights management, digital project management, or contracts negotiation, preferably in a museum, archive, or library setting.
Thorough knowledge of copyright and intellectual property law and professional standards of practice.
Demonstrated experience with digital asset management systems.
Strong customer service focus, with well‑rounded analytical and prioritization skills. Ability to work well under pressure.
Demonstrated commitment to open and equitable access.
Ability to collaborate effectively within and across diverse teams.
Effective written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
Supervision No direct reports.
Salary Information The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. The salary range for this position is $78,850.00 - $83,000.00. In addition, the Society offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance; a wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months; flexible paid time off with up to 22 days of paid annual leave; 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; a Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance; pre‑tax transportation benefits; employer‑paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.
Job Designation Hybrid – staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.
Legal Eligibility Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
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Responsibilities Rights Research and Management
Oversee the interpretation, application, and communication of copyright, intellectual property, and usage rights for collection materials based on guidance from Legal and Business Affairs.
Assess and document rights status for collection items, including public domain status, donor agreements, cultural restrictions and sensitivities, and third‑party rights.
Assist Special Collections and LBA staff with licensing agreements for new acquisitions.
Conduct quality‑control review on assets before sharing with users to ensure alignment with use agreements and rights‑management/access policies.
Conduct preliminary rights clearance research and asset delivery to facilitate decisions in LBA regarding asset use and support documentation by media, communications, and production teams.
Collaborate with Special Collections leadership and other internal stakeholders to streamline and coordinate rights evaluation through unified collections and digital asset management systems. Track audience usage and feedback.
Assist the Senior Manager, Reference and Research in ensuring that all rights and licensing requests are properly scoped, documented and tracked and all research workflows are efficient, transparent and collaborative.
Training and Outreach
Advise staff and stakeholders on rights‑related issues, including fair use, open access, orphan works, and risk management.
Collaborate with the Senior Manager, Reference and Research to develop clear guidance and resources for researchers navigating use/access of Special Collections materials.
Policy and Process Development
Develop and maintain internal policies, procedures, and workflows for rights and reproductions, ensuring alignment with access standards, production and media team needs, and LBA approval.
Educational Background Bachelor’s Degree
Minimum Years And Types Of Experience 5+ years of progressive responsibility in an Archives, Special Collections, museum, or similar setting with demonstrated experience in rights management, copyright, and intellectual property.
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
Broad knowledge of National Geographic history, organization, and mission.
Demonstrated experience in rights management, digital project management, or contracts negotiation, preferably in a museum, archive, or library setting.
Thorough knowledge of copyright and intellectual property law and professional standards of practice.
Demonstrated experience with digital asset management systems.
Strong customer service focus, with well‑rounded analytical and prioritization skills. Ability to work well under pressure.
Demonstrated commitment to open and equitable access.
Ability to collaborate effectively within and across diverse teams.
Effective written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
Supervision No direct reports.
Salary Information The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. The salary range for this position is $78,850.00 - $83,000.00. In addition, the Society offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance; a wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months; flexible paid time off with up to 22 days of paid annual leave; 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; a Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance; pre‑tax transportation benefits; employer‑paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.
Job Designation Hybrid – staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.
Legal Eligibility Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
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