Orlando Metro Cities Program Manager

The Orlando Metro Cities Program Manager, together with the Chapter’s other Cities Program manager(s), will serve as a liaison between the Florida Chapter and the North America Cities Network.   They 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.  The Orlando Metro Program Manager will work closely with TNC’s Florida Chapter Cities Team and Trustee Working Group, and will hold 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. 

The Orlando Cities Program Manager will lead the effort to develop and implement tangible place-based conservation projects that incorporate ecological and social co-benefits, innovative financing solutions and policy development that helps to improve the Central Florida region’s water quality and quantity, quality of life, reduction of GHG emissions, integrate green spaces into the urban core and redevelopment projects, improve the resilience of urban communities, public health and other benefits to people and nature.  Projects could include expansion of the urban tree canopy to reduce urban heat, capture stormwater and address air quality issues; working with partners to identify and create public spaces that retain stormwater and provide habitat for local wildlife while also providing places for people to enjoy nature in an urban setting; and collaborating with partners to implement green stormwater retention infrastructure.       

This position will play a critical role in developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships and partnerships that are key to a project’s implementation and success.  The Orlando Metro Program Manager will seek out and develop public grant and private funding proposals, in collaboration with partners, to help advance the projects.  They 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.  Essential functions include:

• Project Development and Management:  Work with internal and external partners to develop green infrastructure demonstration project(s) within the Orlando Metro geographic region. 
• Partner and Community Engagement:  Identify and collaborate with a diverse set of community partners from all sectors.  Represent the Conservancy in public forums, including with NGO and government partners, and act as the day-to-day liaison for community members involved in our work.
• Conservation Strategy:  Along with other team members, develop strategy and innovation for the overall Orlando Metro Cities Program, including the development of new policy, scientific and technical approaches to deploying natural infrastructure in urban areas.
• Team Collaboration:  Work closely with the Conservancy’s Science, External Affairs, Conservation Finance, Philanthropy, and Marketing teams to integrate their expertise and team members into a seamless, coordinated Orlando Metro Cities Program team.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

• Work and communicate with a diverse group of people, including government officials and legislative staff, board of directors, partner organizations, neighborhood associations, residents and the general public, program leadership and other staff.
• Coordinate multiple projects with several variables, set and meet deadlines, and manage timelines.
• Expand the Conservancy’s role as a major conservation partner within the urban area.
• 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.
• Identify and implement a diverse portfolio of replicable projects demonstrating approaches that provide or enhance environmental benefits to people.
• 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.
• 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.