In Michigan, The Nature Conservancy owns and manages 36 preserves encompassing over 24,000 acres from the southeast corner of the state to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. To increase the conservation impact of our preserves, TNC is searching for a Protected Lands Project Manager that can lead our effort to further connect people with nature by increasing awareness, accessibility and engagement with surrounding communities. In addition, this position will focus on building stronger collaborations with local and regional land trusts and government agencies to increase conservation capacity.
Specifically, on TNC preserves, the Protected Lands Project Manager will develop and launch programs to connect people to TNCs preserve network (both on-site and virtual), oversee facility improvements, and ensure that TNCs preserves are utilized to demonstrate ecological restoration practices and contribute to conservation science.
In collaboration with local, state and regional conservation partners, the Protected Lands Project Manager will be part of a team that will support land protection activities (including land transactions between TNC and partner organizations), co-develop and distribute conservation planning data and tools to coordinate conservation actions, co-develop coalitions designed to increase conservation impact, and promote cross-organization information sharing, learning, communication and collaboration. The Protected Lands Project Manager will work with diverse partners, including but not limited to land trusts, river basin and watershed management organizations, coastal conservation organizations and government agencies.
The Protected Lands Project Manager develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices, develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs, and engages community support for local conservation efforts. The Protected Lands Project Manager provides technical, management and operational support to Conservancy conservation operations related to land and water protection, management and outreach within the portfolio of project locations. They maintain and expand the Conservancy’s reputation as a knowledgeable and practical preserve owner, advise on land and water protection priorities, participate in a community of practitioners that improves conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. They also assess potential for and develop amenities, signage and events that connect local residents, communities and visitors to Conservancy preserves. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Works as part of a larger team focused on innovation and transformation of conservation policies and practices.
- Collaborates closely with agency, industry and other stakeholders to accomplish project goals.
- Responsible for administration and oversight of contractors, contracts and agreements.
- Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
- Seeks public and private funding for the program
- Oversees grants and contracts required to execute projects.
- Contributes to strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
- Negotiates complex agreements in a dynamic environment.
- Frequent travel locally and regionally, evening and weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- 5 years’ experience in conservation practice, outreach or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in natural areas management and/or outreach.
- Communicating clearly for a wide variety of audiences (e.g., general public, governmental, business, academic) via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Experience in communications and outreach programming including events, educational materials, and managing organizational social media accounts and other digital media.
- Experience in partnership development and facilitation with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 7 years’ experience in the natural areas management, land protection, outreach or related field.
- Experience and drive in managing complex or multiple collaborative projects with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders to develop innovative solutions.
- Program and project management supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience designing and implementing educational and outreach programming.
- Experience negotiating and managing contracts and agreements, and managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
- Familiarity with fundraising, including identifying funding opportunities, writing proposals, and cultivating donors.
- Driven to work in collaborative environment with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders to solve organizational and economic challenges and successfully facilitate change management.
- Ability to navigate an environment with complex social and economic drivers.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations to achieve project goals.
- Experience recruiting and managing volunteers.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.