Director of Conservation Programs

Position Location: The preferred location for this position is at one of the Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office, Dexter, MI or the Madison WI Field office.  

Position Overview: 

Ducks Unlimited is seeking an accomplished and driven individual to lead our Great Lakes conservation programs in Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Region (GLAR).  The DCP will assist and help lead the Great Lakes Initiative (GLI) teams based in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. The DCP will serve as a member of the Great Lakes Atlantic Region Director’s Team and provide focused vision, strategic planning and leadership to achieve Initiative conservation objectives that roll into regional goals.  The DCP will target initiative specific conservation partnerships, investments and lead priority policy efforts.  The DCP will guide team collaboration for conservation and fundraising efforts with various stakeholders (e.g., DU volunteers, state and federal agencies, joint ventures, agricultural partners, private landowners and other conservation organizations).  

This position will report directly to the Managing Director of Conservation Programs (MDCP). Frequent initiative focused travel is required with some GLAR travel. 

Experience and Education:

Typically, the individual has a minimum of 10-years of progressively more responsible work experience in DU or other organizations and advanced training/degree(s) in conservation, wildlife, ecology, engineering or another natural resource related field. At least 5-years of experience in supervising a group of staff across diverse programs. Experience in strategic program development, advancing partnerships, and leading broad stakeholder groups to achieve common goals is strongly desired.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with Regional biologists, engineers, and other GLAR staff to develop diverse, sustainable, and resilient conservation delivery programs that will protect, restore or enhance priority habitat in priority landscapes in the GLI.
• Oversee the work of staff in program offices to deliver a broad suite of conservation programs, including lands (fee-title and conservation easements), wetland restoration and enhancements, extension programs for NRCS/agricultural partnerships, and other conservation business opportunities.
• Manage and support the Initiative budget and work closely with the Director of Conservation Services to enhance business planning, improve program efficiencies, and ensure that annual budgets are developed in a fiscally responsible manner and delivered on schedule.
• Work closely with fundraising staff in the region to support fundraising efforts.
• Work with public policy staff both to support priority state and federal policy efforts.
• Work closely with the Director of Conservation Planning and Science to ensure science support and evaluation for conservation programs.
• Serve as a member of the GLAR Director’s Team to help provide overall direction for the region, assist in key decisions, and help develop staff technical and leadership skills.
• Work with Managing Director of Development, foundation staff, and state-based Directors of Development to establish strong working relations aimed at securing private funding in support of priority conservation programs.
• Collaborate with Director of Fund-Raising and Volunteer Relations, state/based Regional Directors, volunteers and staff in the northeast to help develop key policy objectives, major communications themes, and support grassroots fundraising efforts.
• Work with staff and conservation partners to secure public funding to support priority conservation programs.
• Coordinate conservation program development and implementation with other conservation organizations, agency partners and interested stakeholders to maximize efficiency of the partners’ collective efforts.
• Incorporate biological, social, and economic information into conservation program development and implementation.
• Assist Manager of Land Protection and local staff with review of property to be purchased, accepted through donations, or protected under conservation easements.
• Represent the GLAR at regional and national conferences and on various boards and committees (e.g., Flyway Councils, Joint Ventures, etc.) to coordinate conservation with partners.
• Demonstrate a creative approach to conservation program development and implementation.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work activities and complete tasks to meet deadlines.
• Effectively prepare and present information on conservation programs to peers, colleagues, conservation partners and the public.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.