Program Director – Canadian Rocky Mountains

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962 NCC and its supporters have protected 2.8 million acres (more than 1.1 million hectares) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

Purpose and General Description:

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) seeks a Program Director, Canadian Rocky Mountains Eco-Region, British Columbia. Reporting to the Senior Director of Conservation, the Program Director is responsible for directing and managing conservation and stewardship priorities, defined by a science-based planning framework, building strong collaborations with NCC’s many valued partners, and implementing fundraising opportunities and outreach to support and enhance stewardship activities, acquisitions and operations. Building upon a solid foundation of conservation success achieved over many decades and working with highly-skilled professionals, the Program Director of Canadian Rocky Mountains is a valued member of NCC BC and integral to achieving conservation for the sake of nature and Canadians. Position location is flexible with preference for Invermere, BC.

The goal of this position is to build upon the significant conservation accomplished in British Columbia over NCC’s 40+ year history in the province and to strengthen land and water conservation within the Canadian Rocky Mountains program area. This will be achieved through selective securement and stewardship actions, respected and trusted partnerships, and successful program and project funding.   The scope of the program is broad and includes strategic program and operational considerations, as well as short and long term actions in alignment with the NCC BC Business Plan, NCC National Strategic Plan and NCC policies and procedures.

The Program Director, Canadian Rocky Mountains is responsible for fundraising development, negotiating land sales, program planning, budget preparation, and supporting stewardship staff in conducting ecological assessments. The Program Director is also responsible for outreach and communications to strengthen the profile of the national land trust at the community and regional level. Strong and trusted relationships with First Nations, partnerships with academic institutions, collaborations with local and regional governments, as well as other conservations organizations, are fundamental to the success of this position. 

The Program Director will deliver on the strategic and impactful priorities for NCC while building collaborative partnerships and maintaining fiscal responsibility. In addition to the delivery of programs and activities for the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Program Director works closely with all members of the regional and national teams as required. With honesty and strict accountability, the Program Director will maintain the highest ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism in all endeavors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Key Responsibilities:

• Implement the Rocky Mountain Trench, Elk-Flathead and South Selkirk Natural Area Conservation Plans, as well as any future NACP’s contained within the program area
• Oversee the development of partner-based landscape conservation strategies and action plans by working with partner agencies and local conservation groups;
• Oversee the implementation of strategic conservation research and habitat protection projects and programs by working in consultation with NCC science, securement and stewardship staff and key partner representatives;
• Take responsibility for and work closely with relevant NCC staff to ensure the long term protection of the viability of conservation targets on NCC- owned properties including management planning, plan implementation and ad hoc threat abatement;
• Work with partners on lands transferred by NCC to ensure conservation values are maintained;
• Coordinate or carry out  “ground-truthing” of sites of interest to NCC BC relevant to current ecological values, landowner status, partnership interest, and site/neighboring land use information;
• Report on conservation success within the sub region.
• Work with Director of Land Securement, Director of Conservation, Director of Science and Stewardship, Canadian Rocky Mountain staff and other NCC BC staff and Board Directors toward excellent landowner and stakeholder relationships, with the goal of successfully negotiated deals, successful fundraising efforts, and sustainable and satisfied landowner and regional partnership relationships which support NCC’s goals.

2. Community and Partnership Liaison

• Represent NCC in all appropriate external relations and communications functions relative to NCC’s work in the sub region, including public speaking, meetings, and media relations, to build awareness and support for the conservation programs of NCC and its partners;
• Plan, implement and report on expert workshops and meetings with key stakeholders, to assist in setting conservation priorities as well as in developing and implementing conservation plans;
• In collaboration with the Communications Manager, Director of Conservation and the Regional VP facilitate external relations and communications needs and functions;
• Foster positive relationships with private and public property landowners within priority landscapes in the sub region through personal contact, workshops, program newsletters and other innovative approaches to promoting conservation and nurturing NCC’s relationships and reputation.

3. Business Development and Fundraising

• Advise the Director of Development of funding priorities, amounts and deadlines for both new securement initiatives and ongoing stewardship needs;
• Work with other regional and national staff to ensure funds are available for property closings (to include land costs, associated costs, short term stewardship, long-term stewardship endowment) and other needs of the sub region;
• Assist the Director of Development, regional staff, and fundraising volunteers to identify, cultivate, and request funds from both existing NCC donors and new prospects, including individuals, businesses, foundations, governmental sources, and non-governmental organizations;
• Provide the regional development and/or communication departments with background material so that the department can produce appropriate marketing communications materials for properties or natural areas requiring funding;
• Assist with donor/prospect property tours, provide an NCC media presence as required, speak at local community groups, and other public speaking engagements;
• Work with the NCC BC philanthropy team to ensure that accurate records of donor and prospect cultivation are maintained.

4. Manage program and financial administration activities

• Provide leadership and assist staff and volunteers to develop and maintain partnerships with other conservation organizations and develop plans and agreements for long term management of all NCC owned properties and/or properties where NCC provided financial assistance;
• Lead the sub region in strategic planning; including developing and managing work plans and budgets;
• Provide overall coordination and management of land use and conservation stewardship ;activities in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on NCC owned properties and easement agreement sites, including compliance with NCC standards and practices;
• Provide timely reports to partners and donors;
• Coordinate staff and direct consultants to complete baseline reports on all new NCC properties; including lands secured through easement agreements;
• Keep up to date records and information on all NCC projects, including easements and transferred lands;
• Hire and supervise, or delegate supervision, any contactors or employees that may be engaged;
• Oversee the effective administrative and financial operation of the sub region.

5. Other

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Conservation, Associate Regional Vice President and/or Regional Vice President

Required Skills and Attributes:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in ecology, conservation biology or related discipline with 3-5 years of directly related experience
• Flexibility, reliability, self-motivation, and ability to work both independently and as a leader
• Comfort working in a team setting and capable of easily communicating with a wide range of people from the public and private sectors
• Experience in delivering land/resource management programs in a remote and urban coastal communities
• Negotiation skills and experience with conservation real estate preferred
• Previous experience working with land owners to implement land use / land management changes preferred
• Previous experience working with First Nations on conservation matters would be considered an asset
• Project management skills, including excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills, and attention to detail and timelines
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff and/or volunteers
• Proficient with MS Office Suite
• Demonstrated experience in making public presentations
• Entrepreneurial, with a strong ability to prepare and manage timelines, goals and expectations wisely
• Must be prepared to travel and work flexible hours at times
• Committed to the core values and mission statement of NCC

Terms of Employment:

• This is a full-time permanent position
• The position location is flexible with preference for Invermere, BC

To Apply:

To apply, email your cover letter and resume to: canadianrockies@natureconservancy.ca

Please ensure the following:   

• Cover letter and resume are saved as one PDF document using the naming convention: lastnamefirstletter-application-position-year.pdf
• (example: robinsonk-application-PDCanRock-2016.pdf)
• Subject line of email references “Program Director - Canadian Rocky Mountains”

Application Deadline: before 5pm MST on Friday, May 16, 2016

We thank everyone who applies for their interest in the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.