The Orlando Cities Program Manager will be responsible for shaping and implementing strategies in the Orlando Metro area that build off current momentum generated by the City of Orlando’s conservation and energy policies and the need for intergovernmental coordination around growth and development issues. The Orlando Cities Program Manager will engage with leadership in the Orlando Metropolitan Service Area (MSA) to develop and support quality land use policies implemented within the context of the MSA by focusing on crucial areas and opportunities such as the I-4 corridor by using relevant and appropriate data to assess current and future scenarios, while working closely with targeted stakeholders. The Orlando Cities Program Manager will lead Florida Chapter in implementing a cutting edge urban development and conservation program in Orlando. Specifically, this position will work with government, private entities, educational institutions, and others to implement projects, strategies and/or programs that are designed to help improve conservation outcomes and reduce impacts to natural resources including water quality/quantity and habit fragmentation. The Manager will work with a team of scientists, policy experts, marketing and development professionals to successfully implement this work.
The Orlando Cities Program Manager is a representative for The Nature Conservancy in Florida and will together with the Chapter’s other Cities Program manager(s) will serve as liaison between the Florida Chapter and the North American Urban Network. S/he will integrate the Chapter’s work as an essential element of the TNC North America Urban Strategy and Global Resilient Cities Initiative in demonstrating how nature can help build resilient communities across race, politics, class and privilege. S/he, working closely with TNC’s Florida Chapter Cities Team and Trustee Working Group, will play a leading role in managing TNC’s relationships and advancing the organization’s public policy and other priorities with federal, state and local policy makers related to the Urban Network strategies. S/he will serve as one of the Chapter’s representative for TNC’s Urban Network to external stakeholders, including the media and public, private and non-profit sector interests in Florida. The Orlando Cities Program Manager will collaborate with private industry and government agencies in Orlando and Central Florida to develop strategies and implement projects such as those that reduce water use, provide water quality benefits, utilize green infrastructure, reduce GHG emissions, integrate green spaces into the urban core and redevelopment projects, and improve the resilience of urban communities. S/he will seek out and develop public grant and private funding proposals, in collaboration with partners, to help advance the projects. This position reports to the Florida Chapter’s Director of Strategy and Policy. S/he will be expected to deliver compelling presentations on the Conservancy’s Florida Chapter programs North America Urban Network and Global Resilient Cities Initiative to internal and external audiences. With support from the Conservancy Development team, s/he will interact with key Conservancy supporters.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
Responsibilities may include one or more of the following functions
- Expand the Conservancy’s role as a major conservation partner within the urban area.
- Help define and implement The Conservancy’s national urban priorities.
- Lead a team that supports and integrates conservation of urban and natural systems.
- Develop key partnerships with public and private organizations and community leaders in order to effectively implement strategies and to widely communicate solutions and best practices.
- Develop strategies and negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies, communities, property owners, and other conservation organizations to conserve, protect, and utilize natural communities.
- Develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to integrate natural solutions to support community resilience and well-being in urban communities
- Identify and implement a diverse portfolio of replicable projects demonstrating approaches that provide or enhance environmental benefits to people.
- Develop strategies to improve the implementation of green building practices such as roof-top gardens, and other green infrastructure.
- Build cooperative relationships with diverse groups, including Central Florida government agencies and communities, engineering firms, conservation partners, and other professional organizations to mainstream the incorporation of nature into planning, and design decisions.
- Utilize scientific tools to prioritize locations for specific projects where our nature-based approaches have the most promise.
- Assist with establishment of policies or sustainable financing mechanisms that mainstream successful approaches to using natural systems to improve citizen’s quality of life.
- Serve as an integral team member of the Conservancy’s North America Urban Network and Global Resilient Cities Initiative and work with the Center for Whole Communities to better understand how to plan, implement and measure the changes communities and organizations seek concerning urban conservation activities.
- Recruit, retain and manage high quality and effective multi-disciplinary contractors or staff, with responsibility for performance management.
- Create opportunities for the community to engage in tangible projects or other actions.
- Frequently make independent strategic decisions, based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.
- May require frequent travel and evening and weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience developing partnerships (partners, community, government)
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in field related to urban or regional planning, community development, engineering, public/community health or environmental policy
- More than 7 years’ of experience in not-for-profit, private, government or conservation practice or a related field.
- Experience working in or with local governments and/or community-based organizations and in collaborating with scientists and other conservation practitioners to complete assessments and develop focused conservation priorities.
- Strong knowledge of unique Orlando metro area political, cultural, business and NGO landscape.
- Demonstrated success in building support for projects across a wide range of audiences, including senior staff, donors, agencies, colleagues, and key external audiences.
- Knowledge of current research trends in urban ecosystems and practices in the conservation and integration of functioning land and water ecosystems within cities.
- Demonstrated leadership and visionary qualities and ability to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives and conservation plans.
- Multi-lingual skills appreciated
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred
- Negotiation skills.
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.