The Long Island Preserve Director participates in the development of conservation strategies as a member of the NY Division Stewardship Team and manages, implements and advances those strategies in the Long Island geography. The Preserve Director will build awareness and engage with a variety of audiences to build support for the Conservancy’s mission and our work to find solutions to the challenges facing nature and people.
The Preserve Director plans, directs, and implements stewardship programs, preserve management and maintenance for a portfolio of over forty preserves- approximately 50% of which are visitor preserves - and sites where the Conservancy has legal interests (conservation easements, restricted transfers, etc.) and works with partners to manage other high priority sites on Long Island. As a member of the NY Division Stewardship Team and Long Island Conservation Lands Team, the Preserve Director develops and implements conservation strategies and executes a variety of approaches to secure public and private support for the Conservancy’s conservation priorities. In collaboration with the fundraising staff, the Director participates in developing donor cultivation strategies that include designing and leading field experiences and donor trips and promoting and enhancing opportunities for supporters to connect with the natural environment. The Preserve Director will work with stewardship, marketing/communication, and other conservation team members to elevate and enhance the visitor experience, as well as maximize the conservation impacts of the Conservancy's preserves. The Preserve Director works with operations and stewardship team members to plan and implement the maintenance, repairs and upgrades to Conservancy facilities across Long Island. The Preserve Director supervises Land Stewards, seasonal employees, and volunteers.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manage multi-disciplinary staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.
- Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- Work with fundraising staff to identify, develop and execute strategies for donor engagement and cultivation.
- Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Residency in housing provided by the Conservancy on preserve property may be a requirement.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Donor engagement and cultivation experience.
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
- Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
- Experience with principles of land management.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of conservation practice and conservation science.
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
- Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages
- Multi-lingual skills and 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.