Program Director II

The Conservation Program Director II builds, manages and provides technical and programmatic support to TNC Delaware’s field operations.  S/he establishes TNC Delaware as a major conservation partner, defines our conservation priorities, builds and leads a team to support and improve conservation efforts, and increases strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field.  S/he serves as a principal contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community.  The Conservation Program Director II develops key partnerships with public & private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices, develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address natural-system needs, and engenders community support for conservation efforts.  S/he negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies.  The Conservation Program Director II plans, implements, and advances climate-adaptation initiatives, projects and policies to institutionalize natural solutions that mitigate coastal flood hazards, leading collaborative partnerships and interactions with communities, government officials, corporate representatives, non-profit organizations, foundations, media, and other key audiences.  S/he plans and implements TNC Delaware’s land-protection program and projects, which are guided by TNC’s Resilient and Connected Lands Analysis.  The Conservation Program Director II serves as a collaborative partner to TNC Delaware’s Land Steward on ecological restoration strategies, including reforestation, sustainable timbering and the use of beneficial fire.  S/he participates in TNC Delaware’s public and private fundraising activities (including grant writing) to increase financial support for TNC priorities and helps recruit new team members as our programs grow.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE 

Working closely with TNC Delaware Leadership Team (of which s/he will be a member), other TNC business units, and TNC science and conservation practitioners, the Conservation Program Director II:

• Develops and executes systems-thinking strategies to advance TNC's climate-adaptation priority strategy in Delaware (e.g., local, state-wide and large-scale planning, initiatives and policies that support nature-based adaptation actions; advancing legislation to improve Delaware’s ability to adapt to a changing climate, etc.).
• Develops and executes a land-protection strategy based on latest TNC science (e.g., Resilient and Connect Lands Analysis)
• Provides lateral support for TNC Delaware’s Land Steward, including collaborative planning around ecological restoration, reforestation, prescribed fire, sustainable timbering, management of hunt leases, etc.
• Contributes stormwater management and federal and state Clean Water Act expertise to TNC Delaware’s Building Healthy Cities priority, including expertise to help advance a water fund and green-infrastructure urban stormwater solutions.
• Collaborates with TNC staff from other business units and the North American region on cross-border conservation initiatives, including prescribed fire, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy siting and carbon sequestration.
• Conducts outreach and represents TNC to government officials, the business sector, non-profit community, media, funders and other audiences.
• Identifies key stakeholders and constituencies and develops and implements strategies to engage these individuals and audiences in collaborative action on climate adaptation policy, planning, and projects.
• Creates new and strengthens existing partnerships with other organizations in the non-profit and private sectors, including the environmental, conservation, sportsmen's, outdoor recreation, business, and other communities.
• May manage projects and teams involving research and analysis on a broad range of subjects (e.g., science and technology, economics, public opinion).
• Monitors legislative, regulatory, and administrative developments and coordinates action on policy opportunities, as appropriate, in support of TNC Delaware’s conservation priorities.
• As a registered Delaware lobbyist, communicates with elected and appointed officials and prepares and delivers testimony before legislative and administrative bodies.
• Works with TNC Delaware’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator, helps drive use of media (e.g., earned, paid, social) in support of TNC Delaware’s priorities.
• Shares information and coordinates strategy with TNC staff in other state, regional, and worldwide office programs.
• May manage and supervise staff and/or volunteers, interns, or temporary staff.
• Financial responsibilities may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors and outside consultants, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements, including federal and state lobbying laws and regulations.                                           
• Recruits, manages and supervises team members and manages TNC Delaware’s Milton office.
• Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
• Writes requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for TNC Delaware’s conservation priorities and programs.
• Frequently makes independently strategic decision based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
• Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment. 
• 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.