The Resilient Coasts Program Director provides strategic leadership and support for the Conservancy’s conservation work in coastal landscapes to improve ecological and community resilience along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and seaside coastlines. The Director is a strong team leader and skilled project manager who facilitates all aspects of implementation of the MD/DC Chapter’s coastal resilience strategy, which works across conservation, science, government relations, and community engagement.
Essential Functions
The Resilient Coasts Program Director defines conservation strategies, and convenes and supports teams to achieve short- and long-term coastal resilience outcomes, predominantly on the eastern shore of Maryland. She/he manages and leads a team, including one direct report, who implements on-the-ground conservation projects. The Director develops and implements conservation solutions with a variety of partners to restore key coastal processes and habitats that also provide ecosystem services to communities, including risk reduction. S/he enables teams to develop innovative methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address coastal resilience and habitat conservation challenges and engage support for conservation and protection efforts in project areas. S/he negotiates complex and innovative solutions with stakeholders to promote natural solutions along Maryland’s coastlines. The Director develops and maintains partnerships with local communities, public and private organizations, and academic partners to support on-the-ground conservation efforts. S/he also identifies and pursues opportunities for public funding to support priority projects
Responsibilities And Scope
- Setting Goals and Ensuring Results: Works with the Deputy State Director, Science Director, and team members to set and agree upon annual and multi-year conservation goals. Ensures accomplishment of targeted results. Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget. Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and judgment.
- Team Management and Deployment of Resources: Supervises and maintains a highly effective, interdependent program team. Facilitates collaborative learning, mutual support, and timely information sharing to support project teams and individuals working on priority program outcomes. Helps team members manage workloads. Anticipates and plans to meet all types of resource needs of project teams.
- Fundraising: Identifies and pursues opportunities for public funding to support priority projects. Works with philanthropy staff to raise private funds for projects under the Chapter’s Resilient Coasts Program.
- TNC Priority Programs: Optimizes strategic alignment between MD/DC Chapter and the Conservancy’s regional, national, and global resilience work.
- Negotiates complex agreements in a political environment.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
Minimum Qualifications
- 5 years’ experience in the climate change arena or and equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong project management and leadership skills
- Track record of successful project implementation
- Familiarity with proposal writing
- Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government)
- Ability to serve as effective representative of the Chapter and its Resilient Coasts Program with the media, government agencies, foundations, the academic community, businesses, elected officials, the board and other TNC staff
- Strong results-oriented work style, with excellent oral and written communication skills, and an accommodating and proactive attitude
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a relevant field and 6+ years’ experience in the climate change arena
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in climate resilience
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising and proposal writing
To apply to this position, please visit https://careers.nature.org/psp/tnccareers/APPLICANT/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_.... Please submit your resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers .
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.