Director, Mississippi River Delta Project

Our distinctive approach to environmental protection emphasizes a focus on scientific and economic disciplines and on the use of market mechanisms where applicable to reach well-crafted, durable solutions. The organization builds teams of scientists, lawyers, and economists to investigate the scientific causes of environmental problems as well as the market forces and government policies that encourage, subsidize, and prevent environmental damage. In the full range of environmental arenas (air, water, climate, soil, toxic chemicals, and wildlife), Environmental Defense seeks practical solutions, founded on science, that policy makers and industry can be urged to incorporate into practice, law, or regulation.

Overall Function
The Mississippi River Delta Project Director leads the implementation and continued development of EDF’s program to revitalize the Mississippi River Delta.   The Project Director will play a central role in our campaign to create a new paradigm for government and private business in coastal Louisiana that is capable of implementing a sustained and systemic program for Mississippi River Delta restoration and resilience.  S/he will embrace the sophisticated societal change vision set forth in our multi-NGO campaign strategy and associated tactics, and continue to develop and refine the campaign strategy as progress and real-world events dictate.  S/he will lead the strategic decision making for the project in collaboration with key EDF staff and allies, including serving as EDF’s Steering Committee representative on our joint campaign with NWF, Audubon, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.  The Mississippi River Delta Project Director also:

• Leads, manages and develops a talented multi-disciplinary staff addressing policy, science, law, economics, stakeholder partnerships, and communications.  
• Directs, manages and has direct responsibility for multi-million, multi-year budget, including planning the budget, working with development staff to prepare proposal budgets, and the expenditure of professional fees.
• Maintains and grows close collaboration with EDF’s key government, industry and NGO partners to achieve the goals and objectives in the Mississippi River Delta Project.
• Initiates and negotiates collaboration, partnership, and other agreements with economic interests.
• Develops and implements cross-program partnerships and joint programs with other EDF programs.
• Provides regular and direct briefings to EDF executive staff, trustees, and funders on program progress and strategic direction.
• Works with the Senior Director for Water and Vice President for Land, Water, Wildlife to fundraise for the program.

Education and Background
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned professional with 12 to 15 years of relevant experience working in a position of significant responsibility.  Significant experience with the issues of integrated river management, community and economic resilience to flood risk, human and natural adaptation to ecosystem – including climate - change, and infrastructure planning is vital.   S/he must possess and maintain deep knowledge and expertise on the legal, diplomatic, policy, institutional, economic, cultural and scientific issues in the Mississippi River Delta.
 
This individual will possess outstanding management experience, including the ability to build a team and inspire and motivate team members, set goals, and lead efforts to achieve and sustain excellence.  They will also have successful experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects.  The ideal candidate must have strategic planning and management skills to implement program goals.
 
S/he is responsible for effectively communicating about EDF’s Mississippi River Delta with a diverse set of partners, decision-makers, industry professionals and funders which includes frequent public speaking, interacting with media professional, communicating through social media tools and through other written media. The ideal candidate must possess outstanding strategic thinking, planning and communication skills and be an innovative thought and action leader who demonstrates collaborative teamwork, flexibility, adaptability and creativity. S/he will have experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions, coupled with a working knowledge of scientific information needed to facilitate engagement of river resource stakeholders. The ideal candidate for this position will possess a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.  Graduate-level training and degrees are highly desirable.

The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation and deal-making skills, a strong focus on - and track record with - pragmatic, market-based solutions to conservation problems as well as demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing effective strategies to achieve desired outcomes.  In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience with and an ability to communicate and collaborate effectively and build relationships with diverse partners and decision makers, experience in delivering practical, adaptable products and services to customers.  Experience with high level conservation contacts (partners, community, government, etc.) and fundraising is required.

The ideal candidate will work with EDF staff and our allies to identify the largest solvable problems and propose solutions to address them.  S/he will build durable relationships with key stakeholders in Louisiana and across the country, working closely with staff and allies on the Mississippi River Delta Project. 

Location
The position will be based in Washington, D. C. and report to EDF’s Senior Director for Water based in Washington, D.C.
 
Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.
 
Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer