The Director of Conservation Programs for West Virginia ensures effective conservation program operations with a collaborative focus working with a broad suite of partners to create and manage effective conservation strategies for the Chapter. Key program responsibilities include applied science, conservation planning, restoration ecology, application of the mitigation hierarchy, land management, conservation real estate, budgeting, and monitoring/success measures.
The Director of Conservation Programs for West Virginia leads a team to develop and deliver collaborative strategic initiatives that advance the Conservancy’s goals in key landscapes within and beyond West Virginia. The successful candidate will provide leadership for our strategies and aligns our work with the Conservancy’s global agenda. This position serves as a key liaison for the conservation science community and key state, federal, industry, and NGO partners, as well as working collaboratively with other geographies in the Conservancy. The position requires the ability to work at multiple scales and levels in a dynamic social and political landscape, formulating analyses and making independent decisions with limited and/or ambiguous data and translating these into pragmatic strategies and actions.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Develops and manages the conservation strategy and plan for the Chapter.
- Defines conservation priorities and is responsible for the implementation of conservation goals based on the strategic plan.
- Manages program capacity to maintain staff commitment, team spirit and function, and deliver measureable results
- Works in coordination with the Executive Director, management team, partners, and both internal and external stakeholders to ensure support for the Conservancy’s conservation priorities.
- Serves as principle contact with mid and upper level representatives of a broad suite key governmental, community, industry, and NGO programs in the state.
- Works closely with other Conservancy staff to secure private and public resources to support conservation priorities through grants and donations, and ensure effective, efficient use of fiscal resources.
- Speaks effectively to varied audiences on conservation topics in an engaging and understandable manner.
- Works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees to provide information and secure inputs, recommendations and approvals that advance conservation of priority targets.
- May write requests for proposal for grant/contract funding for program.
- Frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects, donor cultivation and public presentations.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise staff, including motivating, leading setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience coordinating the work of other professionals and partners sometimes with no direct supervisory line.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, industry, and/or government agencies.
- Experienced in negotiating.
- Experience in ecosystem restoration and implementation of the mitigation hierarchy
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geography.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
- Politically savvy.
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.