POSITION SPECIFICATION
Client Overview:
The mission of the National Geographic Society is to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge
to inspire people to care about the planet. Created by visionaries who embodied an era of
exploration, discovery, invention, and change, National Geographic is now the world's largest
nonprofit scientific and educational institution. Over the course of its history, National
Geographic has encouraged conservation of natural resources and raised the public’s
awareness of the importance of natural place, the plants and wildlife that inhabit them, and the
environmental problems that threaten them. The organization is guided by a growing awareness
of the critical need to protect the planet's natural resources, and the realization that young
people must better understand the world if they are to become its future leaders. The Society also
encourages stewardship of the planet through research and education.
Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society has funded more than 10,000 scientific
research, conservation and exploration projects around the globe. Past and current grantees
include polar explorer Robert Peary; Hiram Bingham, excavator of the lost Inca city of Machu
Picchu; anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey; mountain gorilla expert Dian Fossey; author
and historian Stephen Ambrose; underwater explorer and discoverer of the sunken Titanic
Robert Ballard; anthropologist Wade Davis; Egyptologist Zahi Hawass; marine biologist Sylvia
Earle; high-altitude archaeologist Johan Reinhard; and paleontologist Paul Sereno.
Through various media vehicles, including its official journal, National Geographic magazine,
and other publications, its films, television programs, cable channel, radio, music, books, videos,
maps and interactive media, the National Geographic Society reaches more than 400 million
people a month. The Society's unending commitment to integrity, accuracy and excellence has
positioned "National Geographic" as a benchmark brand and a leader in publishing,
photography, cartography, television, research and education.
400 East Pratt Street, Suite 420, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-3116
Tel: 410 528 8400 Fax: 410 528 8409
www.stantonchase.com
National Geographic
Job Title:
Assistant Treasurer
Headquarters:
Washington D.C.
Reports To:
Treasurer
Position Overview:
The Assistant Treasurer oversees global banking and funds management for not-for-profit parent
and over 20 taxable affiliates, with consolidated revenue of over $500 million and net assets of
over $1billion, structuring and negotiating cost-effective short- and long-term financing, in
conjunction with daily liquidity management. In addition, the Assistant Treasurer ensures
compliance with credit agreements, along with internal and external audit requirements and
directs cash forecasting, analysis of funding requirements, and treasury operations. This role
also serves as day-to day liaison for more than 50 financial institutions globally, including
commercial banks, investment banks and rating agencies and manages interest rate and foreign
exchange rate risk, covering operations in 24 countries/currencies. The Assistant Treasurer
assists the Director of Investments as needed in oversight of long-term investment portfolios,
including regulatory and audit compliance and directly supervises staff of four (4). This person
reports to Treasurer, acting as department head in Treasurer's absence.
Specific Responsibilities Include:
Global Treasury Management and Forecasting
 Directs staff of four in centralized, global treasury operations for both tax-exempt parent
and taxable subsidiaries. Ensures short- and medium-term corporate liquidity, while
minimizing borrowings.
 Issues RFPs as needed. Recommends and implements new technology and treasury
management services for consolidated group.
 Oversees creation and analysis of both domestic and foreign cash forecasts (up to oneyear horizon), periodically briefing management on developing variances and trends.
 Manages foreign exchange risk, including hedging program for 24 countries/currencies
and over $100M in foreign exchange trading lines.
 Supports marketing initiatives of product areas with appropriate payment methods and
banking services. Acts as internal consultant on treasury matters for marketing,
fulfillment, accounting, and legal departments.
 Maintains external relations with over 50 financial institutions worldwide, including
commercial and investment banks, rating agencies, credit card processors, and fulfillment
agents (that perform outsourced payments processing for NGS or its affiliates).
Debt Management
 Negotiates and maintains over $250 million in long- and short-term credit facilities and
related interest rate derivatives portfolio.
 Includes an actively utilized working capital line of credit, publicly-rated bonds, plus
occasional bridge financing for various strategic initiatives.
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Manages periodic credit reviews/extensions with creditors, and annual bond rating
affirmation with rating agency.
Provides cost effective financing alternatives as required by management, including
issuance and evaluation of RFPs.
Investment Management
 Assists in oversight of long-term investment portfolios, providing supplemental support
to Director of Investments as needed.
 May include secondary review of manager performance, asset allocation
recommendations and new initiatives.
 Ad hoc research and analysis.
Audit & Compliance
 Ensures compliance with credit agreements, trust indentures, and federal tax regulations.
 Meeting both external and internal audit requirements related to cash, debt, derivatives,
overall treasury operations.
 Supports increased regulatory and audit requirements for investment portfolios, assisting
Director of Investments as needed.
Financial Planning & Reporting / Staff Management
 Prepares annual departmental budget of nearly $2M for Treasurer's approval, including
banking, consulting, and investment fees.
 Oversees integrity of monthly accounting close regarding treasury activities.
 Provides management reporting on consolidated cash flow and financing activities.
 Represents Treasury on task force committees or corporate initiatives at Treasurer's
request.
 Manages four direct reports (Treasury Operations Manager, Analyst and two Specialists)
and shares supervision of a Treasury Specialist of Investments & Compliance with
Treasurer and Director of Investments.
Education, Knowledge and Skills:

Master's degree required, specializing in Business, Accounting or Finance.

Ten (10) or more years of prior commercial banking, capital markets and/or corporate
treasury experience is essential, with knowledge of credit, investments, and treasury
management services.

Prior management experience necessary.

Strong oral and written communication skills, strong PC and internet skills (Microsoft
Office suite), demonstrated negotiating skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to manage both up and down.
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National Geographic
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Ability to be flexible, multi-task, and work in a fast-paced environment subject to
periodic deadlines.

In-depth knowledge of credit and capital markets, and treasury and investment
management expected, with understanding of accounting and audit requirements.

International exposure a plus.
Other Personal Characteristics Desired:

Demonstrated ability to think strategically and innovatively.

Demonstrated critical thinking skills; ability to problem solve and determine root cause.

Entrepreneurial spirit – demonstrated ability to work independently and achieve results in
a complicated organizational environment.

Strong project management skills.

Strong analytic skills.

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; ability to present ideas
and results independently at the highest levels of the organization.
If interested and qualified, please contact:
Lyn (Carolyn) Cason
Director
Stanton Chase International
Baltimore/Washington Office
Office: (410) 528-8400
Cell: (310) 854-9133
Email: l.cason@stantonchase.com
Mickey Matthews
Vice Chairman, Practice Groups
Stanton Chase International
Baltimore/Washington Office
Office: (410) 528-8400
Cell: (443) 255-6610
Email: m.matthews@stantonchase.com
Samantha Sullivan
Research Associate
Stanton Chase International
Baltimore/Washington Office
Office: (410) 528-8400
Email: s.sullivan@stantonchase.com
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