Translation Manager (Fixed-Term) - National Geographic

How You’ll Contribute The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. Components of the new guest experience will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The Translation Manager is responsible for the translation, coordination and standardization of a Spanish bilingual content experience at the Base Camp campus. Reporting to the Director of Project Management, Exhibits and Experiences, this position will work closely cross functional Project Manager, to track the daily operations of a multidisciplinary team and external vendors to produce marketing materials and in-person experiences that communicate our mission, build enthusiasm for the brand, highlight the work of our explorers, and compel people to act. The Translation Manager will also assist in daily operations and planning process for National Geographic HQ public space renovation project. The Translation Manager will meet regularly with creative team members, monitoring, tracking and reporting the movement of individual project work across creative disciplines including concepting, writing, photo editing, design/layout, and production resulting in finished campaigns, exhibitions, and other storytelling media. The Translation Manager will record and report internal client feedback communicating needs to team to ensure an effective and focused project. The Translation Manager will serve as daily contact to production vendors to ensure competitive pricing, while maintaining quality and brand consistency. The Translation Manager will oversee final proofing and pre-flighting of outbound production work. The Translation Manager will support the Project Manager to ensure completion of all projects on time and budget. The Translation Manager should be well versed in the most current production and media trends. You will work closely with Staff Interpreting and Translating throughout their faculty, translation of written materials, and coordination of other interpreting needs. This position is a fixed-term role that ends 10/15/2026. Your Impact Your Impact Responsibilities Include: Translation (70%) Oversee the entire translation process, from receiving source materials to delivering final translated documents. Overseeing the translation process manage a team of contracted translators, ensure the quality and accuracy of translated materials, coordinate translation projects, and implement best practices to streamline processes. Lead and manage a team of translators, providing guidance, support, and feedback to ensure optimal performance. Coordination (20%) Coordinate the delivery, translation, review and return of Spanish content to creative, communications, and project team members. Collaborate with project management, creative, construction and operations to determine translation needs, priorities, and timelines. Work with internal and external DEI colleagues to implement DEI standards within content. Standardization and Guidance (10%) Assist in the development of bilingual guidelines for Base Camp Campus that dovetail into Society wide guidelines Prepare periodic reporting, as needed, on project and workload progress Compile, organize and retain of accurate records and archives of work Formally and informally review processes, provide critiques of quality and effectiveness, recommend new practices for greater success and efficiency. What You’ll Bring Necessary Knowledge and Skills Highly organized, self-starter, with superb communication and interpersonal skills. Advanced abilities in Spanish and English The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, strong project management abilities, and a keen eye for detail Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, and pay close attention to detail. Capacity to work independently and in teams as required. Experience and/or training with cultural, ethnic, and language diversity preferred. Deep knowledge of standards and practices in the field of experience development such as museums, attractions or cultural organizations. Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively (oral and written) across a large, diverse group of professionals from educators, to scientists, to fellow creatives. Desired Qualifications Experience with Google Office Suites, Monday.com Project Management tool, or other cloud based collaborative tools. Experience in Museum, Experience, or public attraction spaces. Educational Background Bachelor’s degree in Translation, Linguistics, Communications, or a related field is required. Must be bilingual in English and Spanish. Minimum Years and Types of Experience 5+ years of relevant experience Supervision No direct reports Salary Information The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations. The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The salary range for this position is $80,700 - $85,000. In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks. Job Designation Resident - Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must be at Base Camp every day to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present onsite some of the time to meet looming deadlines or to get work done and may require a unique schedule. As such, this category has been revised to provide maximum flexibility depending on what’s required for each individual role. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization. Who We Are The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Our mission is only complete when our staff, explorers, educators, youth and partners are seen, valued, and heard. We embrace each person’s identity, experiences, and abilities, and we commit to cultivating an environment where everyone benefits from opportunity, mutual respect and a sense of belonging. We are committed to cultivating an environment that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion for our staff, explorers and educators and partners. National Geographic's headquarters is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental benefits, generous vacation and parental leave time, a 401(k) plan, flexible work options, career development, and a thriving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program. In addition to our generous benefits, we also offer unique perks which include free museum admission, discount to our museum store, film screenings, world class events with visiting speakers, an employee volunteer day and a robust wellness program.