The Director, Youth Engagement Programs will develop and operationalize the Nature Conservancy’s organizational strategy focused on developing children and young adults into conservation stewards and leaders of the future. This position reports to the Director of Strategic Engagement, Global Cities.
The Director, Youth Engagement Programs will be responsible for building strong internal and external TNC partnerships to ensure long-term commitment to TNC youth programs. S/he will manage the programs in the three pillars of our Youth Engagement strategy: Learn, Act, Lead, which includes online curricula, high school programs for diverse students, and college-level internships. S/he will work closely with Global Cities team members as well as other colleagues and networks to implement existing and new strategies that will increase and enrich the engagement of young people with nature in a demographically and geographically inclusive way.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Work closely with other members of the Global Cities team to develop new and creative approaches to engage youth.
- Manages a staff of up to 10+ and works with a decentralized team.
- Act as the spokesperson for the programs with internal and external stakeholders, including events such as garden builds, annual intern recognition, media, etc.
- Collaborate with fundraising staff to fundraise for program for key projects and priorities and potentially play a role in donor identification and cultivation.
- Integrate youth strategies within the Global Cities team objectives.
- Identify opportunities for growth and scale within existing programs both domestically and internationally.
- Requires cross-discipline work and relationships.
- Effectively manages programs within budget.
- Write requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for program.
- Makes independently strategic decision based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
- Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment.
- Frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours.
- Possibly work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working with and/or managing youth programs or initiatives.
- Experience with current trends and practices in Youth Engagement.
- 7 years’ experience in conservation practice, youth program management, business administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience creating partnerships to lever programmatic scope and scale.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to facilitate and implement creative ideas.
- Ability to translate science-based conservation data into compelling programs for developing youth-based conservation awareness and action.
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Politically savvy
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.