The Virgin Islands Director oversees all aspects of protection, stewardship, and community relations in the US and British Virgin Islands, for the Caribbean Division’s Virgin Islands Program. Additionally, the Director will work in close collaboration with the Division’s coral reef conservation team and their initiatives in the Virgin Islands.
The Virgin Islands Director’s key areas of focus are:
- Cultivating and building local relationships with key public and private conservation stakeholders
- Manage implementation and timely completion of grant deliverables
- Managing the Division’s lands portfolio and related divestment strategies
- Serving as primary program outreach contact with the general public and supporters.
The Director provides technical and program support to Conservancy field operations in the Virgin Islands, with primary focus on the US Virgin Islands (at least 85% of time). They serve as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, the private sector, foundations, and the academic community and are responsible for implementing and achieving the Division’s conservation priorities by overseeing and representing the Conservancy in relationships and negotiations with such groups. They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within area of responsibility, define conservation priorities in the area of responsibility, lead and manage staff who support and improve conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. The Director will lead public engagement initiatives to raise awareness for marine and terrestrial conservation work in the Virgin Islands, including having responsibility for implementation of the “Reef Responsible Sustainable Seafood initiative”. Initiative duties will include building relationships with local businesses and other partners, engagement with fishers, coordination of the advisory group, and development and collection of program metrics. The Director is also responsible for evaluating the Division’s land portfolio to set priorities and make recommendations on the future ownership and management of such lands. Based on this evaluation, they will lead efforts to adjust the land portfolio strategy and carry out asset transfer transaction as part of an overall asset portfolio management strategy. For lands compliance, the Director supervises and works closely with the USVI Land Steward to ensure that issues are addressed and accurate records kept. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies. They work closely and coordinate with a wide variety of Conservancy staff, private individuals, public entities and the private sector in support of conservation goals. They solicit and monitor government funding, assist with speaking engagements, help lead donor field trips, and work closely with the Caribbean Philanthropy team on cultivation and stewardship efforts with local Board members and donors. The position reports to the Deputy Director of the Caribbean Division.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Geographic size and scope is that of a larger, complex business unit and/or a program that requires cross-boundary work and relationships.
- Supervises staff at remote locations.
- Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
- Writes proposals for grant/contract funding for program.
- Frequently makes independently strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information, and context.
- Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment.
- May be responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
- Travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours, may be required.
- 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 related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working with a wide range of people, such as landowners, corporate executives and government officials.
- Experience living and/or working in the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
- 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 in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience negotiating.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- 7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience writing public and private grant proposals and reports.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation and land protection.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
- Politically savvy.
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.