The Sustainability Accelerator Program Director will be responsible for leading and managing a new conservation technology accelerator. S/he will provide strategic leadership and support for the accelerator by being the TNC counterpart to Techstars, assisting with the launch and successful delivery of this program. This is position is funded through October 2020 with the possibility of extension and will be based in Denver, CO. Experience with conservation technology and/or accelerators highly desired.
The Sustainability Accelerator Program Director will establish project goals and success factors related to a three-year partnership with Techstars, a technology accelerator company TNC has partnered with to launch a Sustainability Accelerator. The accelerator will identify entrepreneurs with commercially viable technologies to solve the greatest challenges facing nature and people and will run iteratively for three years with the first cohort of companies to be selected in May of 2018. S/he will develop project plans, budgets, metrics and schedules with input and buy-in from key stakeholders, including Techstars, internal team members, and partnership investors. S/he also serves as the principle contact for the accelerator program, working to build internal and external communications plans, as well as engagement plans with the investors. This includes establishing, preparing materials for and leading regular update calls with Techstars, investors and other key stakeholders. They may play a role in donor identification, cultivation and stewardship for the program. S/he will help establish the Conservancy as an innovator within the conservation technology field and define conservation technology priorities as they relate to the accelerator.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Responsible for leading Sustainability Accelerator program and managing the partnership with Techstars.
- Develops long-term strategies and achieves strategic goals and objectives
- Act independently as needed; exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems;
- Coordinate the work of cross-functional, cross-divisional teams towards a desired outcome;
- Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information;
- Develop and implement new initiatives that will ensure department and organization-wide goals and strategies are achieved;
- Manage project budgets and assist with budget development related to strategic projects;
- Manage and implement multiple complex projects, including managing project teams, setting deadlines, ensuring accountability, engaging diverse stakeholders, and communicating with donors;
- May manage or participate in complex negotiations;
- Ensure programmatic commitments, Conservancy policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance; decisions may bind the organization financially or legally;
- Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.
- May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
- Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
- Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s).
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, start-ups, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience negotiating
- Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state or country level.
- Experience communicating with high-net-worth individuals and investors; and
- Experience managing scheduling and financial aspects of small to large, complex projects.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
- 8-10 years’ experience in conservation and/or technology/accelerator practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong communication and presentation skills;
- Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to negotiate, influence, and persuade; and/or
- Successful experience implementing strategic program goals.