The Director of Strategy oversees all aspects of a significant program area encompassing five conservation program areas including Land, Fresh Water, Marine, Climate and Cities. Works closely with the Deputy Executive Director of Conservation and Government Relations and Senior Leadership Team to provide strategic leadership and support for the Conservancy’s conservation programs and helps establish overall conservation priorities for the Florida business unit.
The Director of Strategy oversees the implementation of conservation projects and strategies and leads and manages a team of program managers throughout the state. S/he engages in conservation efforts across program areas and geographies, negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies to conserve and protect natural communities and benefit people, and develops and implements conservation strategies for land, fresh water, marine, climate and cities. S/he disseminates information and provides guidance on achieving the Florida Chapter’s conservation priorities. S/he develops key partnerships with public & private organizations in order to identify and resolve technical & financial issues, and to widely communicate solutions, innovative methods, and policies frameworks to address the natural system and human needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Oversee activities associated with five conservation program areas including measurable outcomes, staff and budget, and operational functions.
- Work with Stewardship & Field Programs Department and Science and Planning Department to identify and execute on land, freshwater, marine, cities, and climate change program strategies and associated science as applicable.
- Help maintain critical partnerships and implement associated activities.
- Recruit, retain and manage high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.
- Broad management and leadership responsibility for 10+ staff members, and interdisciplinary teams both internal and external to the organization.
- Develop long-term and cutting-edge conservation strategies and achieve strategic goals and objectives
- Assist Senior leaders and Deputy Executive Director of Conservation and Government Relations in negotiating complex challenges and innovative solutions with both public and private individuals and institutions.
- Play a supporting role in grant preparation, public and private fundraising for related programs.
- Lead, manage and direct aspects of the land acquisition components of the Florida program.
- Make independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, and sometimes ambiguous information, using experience and judgment.
- May require frequent travel domestically and/or evening and weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Support program objectives by working in a complex matrix organization environment.
- 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 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) and geographic regions.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience negotiating
- Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state or country level.
- Experience with financial management of a large program.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-cultural experience and/or multi-lingual skills appreciated.
- Working knowledge of Florida’s ecology, habitats, and governmental natural resource planning processes.
- Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.