The Deputy Director, City Program provides strategic, technical and scientific leadership and support for conservation project planning and implementation in key cities around NYS with a major focus on NYC. The Deputy Director will be responsible for shaping and implementing strategies and projects that will protect, conserve, enhance, and best utilize nature-based systems for the benefit of people and nature in NYC. This will include increasing the resiliency of New York City to environmental changes and challenges, improving quality of life, and measuring conservation success. This position will report to the NYC Program Director and will collaborate with natural and social scientists, policy and communications experts, and finance and philanthropy team members.
The Deputy Director develops, leads, and manages projects related to conservation planning, research, and stewardship. They will further develop the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within NYC and other cities across NY State. They will advance and develop conservation priorities, manage a team which supports and improves conservation efforts, and builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. The Deputy Director will develop key partnerships with public & private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. They will negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies. They will develop innovative scientific methods, provide analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs. The Deputy Director will work to broaden the constituency by providing meaningful ways for members, volunteers, and other stakeholders to engage with nature and the Conservancy within the NYC metropolitan area.
The Deputy Director will ensure that work in NYC is in coordination with the Conservancy’s efforts across New York State, throughout the Region, and around the globe. Specifically, while their focus is NYC, they will advise on and contribute to other city efforts in New York.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manages applied urban conservation practice, strategies, and projects for the NYC Program.
- Supervises, and as needed hires, program staff in NYC and across NY to develop and manage work plans within project budget.
- Interprets guidelines, evaluates information, and modifies processes to adapt to changing circumstances for the program and provides guidance to statewide efforts.
- Provides a variety of information to staff and others, contributing to conservation projects and ensuring workflow.
- Provides training for internal and external colleagues on ecological and conservation scientific principles.
- Writes requests for proposal (RFPs) and proposals for grant/contract funding for program.
- Frequently makes independently strategic decision based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
- Negotiates and manages complex agreements in a political environment.
- Participates in and leads cross functional teams in complex matrix organization environment.
- Collaborates with Marketing & Philanthropy departments to advance fundraising and increase program visibility.
- Meets with board members and current/potential donors.
- Frequent travel within NYC and regular travel across NYS. Occasional national travel. 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 urban environmental conservation or management 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.
- Experience working to protect and improve NYC’s environmental landscape – biophysical, social, and institutional or socio-ecological system.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profits, community groups, businesses and/or government agencies.
- Fundraising experience, including concept and proposal development and reporting.
- Experience writing for a variety of audiences.
- Experience negotiating.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Attention to detail.
- 10 or more years’ experience in urban environmental conservation or management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in urban ecology, participatory design, and/or community-based action research. Familiarity with relevant local policy.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes and execute new initiatives.
- Experience influencing, interpreting, and implementing conservation-relevant policy and plans.
- Experience or training in human dimensions of environmental and conservation challenges.
- Experience networking and developing partnerships (staff, academic, community, government). Politically savvy.
- Experience coordinating volunteers or other experience working with local community members.
- Communicates clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
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.