Director, Production & Development (National Geographic)

Director, Production & Development (National Geographic)
Apply Now Apply Later

Job ID

10156074

Location

New York, New York, United States

Business

National Geographic

Date posted

Jul. 21, 2026

Job Summary:
The Director of Development and Production role oversees development, production, delivery, and broadcast of Unscripted linear and streaming content for National Geographic platforms, ensuring creative quality, strong storytelling, effective production partnerships, and sound budget management.

Responsibilities:

Oversee Unscripted series and one-off development and productions from concept through delivery and broadcast across National Geographic platforms.

Develop baseline ideas into premium creative, financially viable television products in partnership with global content teams.

Collaborate with production companies and provide editorial guidance to support world-class, brand-defining storytelling.

Manage production partners to ensure programs meet creative expectations and ratings goals. Protect programming investments by ensuring budgets are reasonable and deliverables meet expectations.

Apply strong storytelling agility across the unscripted landscape to broaden and shape concepts.

Work closely with Production Management to maintain highest editorial standards within budgetary requirements. Provide timely feedback to production companies to maintain production schedule and to make sure all contractual obligations are met. Deliver shows that are on budget and schedule.

Coordinate with Marketing, Ad Sales, Communications and Digital to provide necessary information and materials for the development and generation of Cross-Platform Content initiatives and strategy. Coordinate with all internal content departments (editorial, social, books, digital etc) to align additional content for individual departments to better monetize the natural history content.

Basic Qualifications:

At least 10 years of experience in a range of unscripted TV across multiple genres is a must.

Excellent communication skills are a must. Director of Development and Production will be expected to function at a high level in a fast-paced 360-degree multi-platform corporate environment which includes close collaboration with external producing partners, internal partners including Channel production management and development, NG digital, NG print, live events and the National Geographic Society, NG’s non-profit arm.

Solid foundational understanding and ability to work within software including Microsoft word suite (MS word, Excel, Power Point) or similar products. MS Outlook email and scheduling and any variety of internet functionality/familiarity is a core tool in this job.

Preferred Qualifications:

Working Knowledge of Production Budgets and Ability to analyze ratings and other research data to better understand our own programming and the competitive landscape.

Channel Executives manage a varied slate of series and specials which requires a firm understanding of both linear and streaming audience sensibilities. In addition to excellence in creative execution, CE’s should have a firm ability to manage budgets and schedules in order to deliver projects on budget and on time.

Candidate must be a team player and possess a managerial prowess that extends beyond the immediate production team to both external producing partners as well as the internal, corporate hierarchy. Candidates should be comfortable working closely with top industry professionals both in front of, and behind, the cameras in order to deliver on the utmost quality standards of the National Geographic, and Disney, brands.

NG Channel Executives are ambassadors and protectors of the National Geographic Brand. They will be expected uphold the standards and practices of the yellow border in all manner of professional environments.

Required Education:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

The hiring range for this position in New York is $132,800 to $178,000 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer
National Geographic Partners PAY SVC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

Disability Accommodation for Employment Applications
The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

#J-18808-Ljbffr