Chief Operation Officer

Mission statement:

Global Wildlife Conservation protects endangered species and habitats through science-­- based field action. Preserving the planet’s threatened and dwindling wildlife is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. There are almost 20,000 species of plants and animals worldwide facing the danger of extinction, including 13 percent of birds, 25 percent of mammals, and 41 percent amphibians. We promote greater understanding of the current extinction crisis and global threats to biodiversity and the environment. GWC bases decisions on solid science and conducts all operations using sound environmental and social ethics. We are conducting innovative and unprecedented field expeditions, scientific research, and wild lands conservation.

Job Description: Chief Operation Officer

Global Wildlife Conservation seeks an innovative, experienced, and dedicated Chief Operation Officer to help lead GWC’s internal operations, including communications and development. The successful candidate will have leadership, managerial skills, financial and accounting experience, and fundraising experience.

This is a high-profile opportunity for a dynamic conservation professional with the ability to implement and manage the operations of an international organization. The COO will focus on operations including communications, development, administrative, legal, finance and accounting within GWC. These operations all link directly in with GWC’s projects and programs in the field. The COO will work to achieve GWC’s goals in collaboration with the GWC’s Board of Directors, staff, and external partners. The COO will report to the CEO.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The COO will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

Organizational Management

• Supervise operations staff and provide support to all programmatic staff.

• Work closely with the CEO and staff to align programs with strategic priorities.

• Oversee all operations of the organization, ensuring that all activities are consistent with GWC’s mission and principles, as well as helping to establish appropriate goals and objectives for all programs.

• Lead the implementation and coordination of internal project tracking.

• Manage employee work plans.

Administration

• Provide oversight for all human resource issues.

• Manage employment policies.

• Oversee employment systems, including job announcements, employee benefit programs, and other employment related issues.

Financial and Accounting

• Provide oversight of the CFO and all financial aspects of GWC, including accounting and finance, investments, bookkeeping, and audits.

• Ensure that adequate funds are available for GWC to carry out its programs and that the organization operates within budget guidelines.

Legal

• Ensure that GWC maintains official records and documents in compliance with current laws and regulations.

• Oversee and coordinate all legal issues with GWC’s pro bono law firm.

• Lead all legal document production, including memoranda of understanding, terms of reference, trademark applications, land purchase agreements, and other agreements.

Information Technology

• Oversee all information technology issues.

• Manage implementation of systems including data backup and database management.

• Coordinate other technical issues as necessary.

Communications

• Oversee all communications efforts.

• Oversee all web based communication, including GWC website and social media output.

• Oversee external communications, including the GWC website, press releases, and other communications tools.

Development

• Oversee GWC’s development efforts.

• Work with the CEO and staff to execute annual fundraising plan to increase revenue from various sources, including major donors, foundations, multilateral organizations, governmental entities, among others. Work closely with the CEO and staff to develop new relationships with funders and deepen existing ones.

• Lead GWC’s volunteer development committee.

• Oversee innovative development efforts, including online fundraising and fundraising events.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate should have the following qualifications:

• Commitment to and passion for GWC’s mission, vision, and values.

• 8+ years of experience in nonprofit management.

• Strong knowledge of current wildlife conservation issues and trends, as well as significant experience in wildlife conservation and related fields.

• Strong communications skills, including writing, editing, correspondence, and public speaking.

• Success in fundraising, including working with diverse funding sources.

• Foreign language skills a plus, especially Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, and/or Bahasa.

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

GWC offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. This position will be located in Austin, TX, USA. It is expected that the COO will spend significant time in Austin on organizational management, but also travel for development and other operations.