Chicago Region Program Director

Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

The Field Museum’s Keller Science Action Center translates museum science and expertise into demonstrable results for conservation and quality of life. The Keller Science Action Center’s conservation efforts are focused in the Chicago Wilderness, the Museum’s home-base metropolis with more than 10 million diverse people; and the Andes-Amazon-Guiana Shield, where the planet’s diversity is at its highest. In Chicago, we work to connect all communities and neighborhoods to a thriving, healthy nature.

The Director leads a cross-disciplinary team of social scientists and ecologists, data and spatial analysts, and engagement and environmental specialists to set and implement priorities, achieve science-driven objectives, as well as represent the Center to partners, funders, and donors. The Director works closely with the Center’s Senior Director, museum leadership and trustees, and program staff to make strategic decisions and develop new directions as necessary. This highly organized and effective leader will bring a collaborative drive, proven program development, and execution skills to the role, leading a diverse portfolio of projects within the Chicago Region to support outcomes for improved community well-being and biodiversity conservation.

This is a hybrid role, with flexibility to work virtually up to 2 days per week, and in-person at the Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois, while building strong connections across the institution. The position involves regional travel to be planned and coordinated by the Director up to 20% of the year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage priorities and resources focused on outcomes. Guide a cross-disciplinary team to execute strategic goals by setting priorities and meeting deadlines while cultivating a collaborative dynamic of learning, innovation, and transparency.
• Provide strategic leadership for the team and the Center, leading the development and integration of existing programs and new, inclusive initiatives.
• Design and implement tracking to manage progress on goals and budgets, updating and redesigning priorities where needed. Lead regular communications regarding progress and shifts to internal and external entities.
• Collaborate with Center Director and Institutional Advancement to build necessary funding support for program development, and associated reporting.
• Develop and cultivate collaborations with key actors and funders in the Chicago region, supporting the Action Center team to work effectively in partnership for durable conservation and community wellbeing outcomes at local and regional scales.
• Promote and communicate the Chicago Region Program to internal and external audiences, serving as a crucial liaison with partners, funders, and trustees.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree, or equivalent experience, and 10 years experience in conservation and community wellbeing in urban centers, with an understanding of the political landscape and conservation realities in Chicago, the Great Lakes, and/or Upper Midwest regions.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, tribal representatives, and/or government agencies, in collaborations that address environmental justice and equity.
• Successful experience directly managing an interdisciplinary team with diverse members, including mentoring, motivating, cultivating respect, setting objectives, building capacity, deepening collaborations, and managing performance.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrating biological and social aspects of conservation with advanced technologies for research and decision-making (for example eDNA, remote data collection, GIS, database systems), as well as experience in the interface between research and conservation action.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including budget management and fundraising.

Important Note: In order to protect the health and safety of our employees, guests and their families, the Field Museum is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Requests for exemptions from the vaccine will not be considered as given the nature of this position, we are unable to provide an accommodation for anyone who has not been vaccinated.

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity workplace and employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or any other protected class. We strive to create a working environment that is free of all forms of discrimination and one that promotes human dignity and mutual respect among all staff. We believe every member of our organization enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, to identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions.