Senior Program Manager, Sharks and Rays Program

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has made an institutional commitment to reverse the decline of sharks and rays and included them as one of six priority species groups in the WCS: 2020 Strategic Plan. WCS has also convened a partnership – the Global Sharks and Rays Initiative (GSRI) – to develop and implement a 10-year global strategy for the conservation of these species.

WCS is expanding its Sharks and Rays Program to support scaling-up of shark and ray conservation efforts around the world consistent with a WCS ten-year shark and ray conservation strategy and in collaboration with the GSRI and other organizations and partners. The GSRI and WCS goals are to save shark and ray species from extinction, transition fisheries to sustainability, effectively control international trade, and reduce demand for shark and ray products from unsustainable sources. WCS seeks a Senior Program Manager to help achieve these ambitious goals.

Senior Program Manager, WCS Sharks and Rays Program

The primary objective of the Senior Program Manager position is to assist in the development and delivery of WCS's Sharks and Rays Program. This is a full-time position. The Senior Program Manager will be part of the WCS's Global Marine Team based at the headquarters of WCS's Global Conservation Program at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. 

Position Responsibilities

The Senior Program Manager will provide overall management support to WCS’s Sharks and Rays Program, including: 

• Working with the Associate Director, sharks and rays to develop and implement a global program of shark work;
• Guiding regular monitoring and evaluation of the programs progress;
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and build a strong knowledge of shark and ray conservation;
  • Liaising with and coordinate programmatic communications between and among WCS staff, external partners, donors and the general public;
  • Liaising and coordinating with other WCS programs and departments, including Public Affairs and Global Resources;
  • Ensuring the effective project management of all of WCS’s shark and ray work;
  • Writing, editing, and designing programmatic reports, outreach materials and other communications;
  • Overseeing the co-ordination of reporting to donors, on behalf of the WCS Sharks and Rays Program for global grants, as appropriate;
  • Facilitating and maintaining constant coordination, collaboration and active dialogue between WCS staff and external partners, and supporting the strong and transparent governance of the GSRI partnership;
  • Representing the WCS Sharks and Rays Program to external audiences;
  • Supporting budget management where needed on centralized grants, and supporting field programs in their budget management activities; and
  • Undertaking other activities, as needed, to provide overall support to the WCS Sharks and Rays Program

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree, preferably in natural sciences or international conservation policy or equivalent work experience;
• 5 or more years of experience in comparable work, including writing fundraising proposals and other documents, preparing and monitoring budgets and contracts, and overseeing project reporting;
• Proficiency in the use of standard computer software applications, including MS Word, Excel, Google platforms and desk-top publishing;
• Understanding of general conservation issues, experience in marine conservation, and familiarity with shark and ray conservation issues
• Excellent organizational skills, including capacity to manage multiple, concurrent projects and demands, and to set and follow priorities;
• Excellent writing and editing skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to work with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures and within a dispersed team that includes both WCS and non-WCS staff;
• Willingness to travel internationally essential.

To Apply

To apply, email CV and cover letter to marineprogram@wcs.org and apply online at http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers.aspx/.  Preference will be given to applications received by July 6, but the position will remain open until filled. WCS is an equal opportunity employer
and encourages applications from diversity candidates.