Drone Operations Manager

Position Title: Drone Operations Manager

Employment Type: Full-time
Contract Type: Temporary – 18-month term, with the possibility of extension

Location: Remote (Based in New Zealand)

Salary Range: $90 – $115k NZD based on experience and location   

About Us

Island Conservation (IC) envisions a world filled with vibrant biodiversity, resilient oceans, and thriving island communities. We are the only international non-profit conservation organization with the mission to restore islands for nature and people worldwide. Islands are special places that provide outsized returns on our conservation investments. IC is committed to holistic island-marine ecosystem restorations that combine efforts to improve community livelihoods and climate resiliency, manage invasive species, and reestablish native animals and plants. Learn more about us at www.islandconservation.org. 

Position Overview 

Island Conservation seeks an experienced and strategic Drone Operations Manager to lead and expand our drone-based restoration efforts. This position will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a drone fleet and managing contracted services, with a primary focus on heavy-lift drone baiting operations that support island restoration. The role includes developing strategic partnerships and business models to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the program. 

This position will report to the Director of Impact and Innovation and collaborate closely with the Conservation Innovation Manager to establish effective drone solutions.  The role will also work directly with project managers to support the delivery of effective restoration projects across diverse island ecosystems.

This is a grant-funded position with guaranteed salary support and start-up resources for the first 18 months. Continued funding will be dependent upon securing revenue from internal and external projects through the implementation of the manager’s business plan.

Benefits

This is a full-time exempt position with a competitive salary and a full benefits package, including a four-day work week. Island Conservation offers a flexible work schedule with a remote home office.

Requirements 

• Travel: This position requires extensive travel both domestically in New Zealand and internationally with approximately 10+ work trips per year. Trips may vary in length but will regularly be of 4 weeks in duration for island operations in very remote areas with minimal services or amenities.
• Physical requirements: The position will require extensive transporting and handling of heavy equipment (up to 50lbs/23kg) in both urban and rural island environments.
• Fieldwork is often conducted in remote and physically demanding environments, sometimes for extended periods. Candidates should be prepared for long days in rugged terrain and living in basic or primitive camping conditions. Due to the remote nature of the work and the need for all team members to contribute to physically demanding tasks and emergency response, the ability to carry heavy loads (up to 50 lbs/23 kg), navigate rugged terrain, and perform strenuous activity for extended periods is considered an essential function of this position. While we are committed to fair and inclusive employment practices, the operational realities of field deployments in these environments may limit the extent to which accommodation can be made.
• Must possess a valid passport and a valid driver’s license.
• Must already possess authorization to work from and reside in New Zealand.
• Must be able to adapt working hours to overlap regularly with staff in all relevant time zones (e.g., Europe/UK, America/Pacific, America/Mountain, America/Puerto Rico, U.S./Hawaii, Pacific/Palau, Pacific/Auckland, Chile/Continental)

 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum of two years’ experience piloting and managing aircraft or drone operations, including operational planning, compliance, and fleet management.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including remote and contract staff.
• Experience and aptitude to lead others without serving as their formal supervisor (i.e. influence without direct authority).
• Proven experience developing and managing budgets, business plans, or cost recovery models.
• Experience establishing and maintaining partnerships or service-based contracts in a technical or conservation context.
• Valid Remote Pilot license certification for New Zealand or equivalent international certification.
• Strong understanding of drone technology, aviation regulations, safety protocols, and operational best practices.
• Proven ability to develop and implement operational and safety protocols for aviation or drone operations.
• Proficiency in analyzing operational data, forecasting costs, and producing actionable business insights.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and financial information to both experts and general audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking and organizational planning skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated alignment with Island Conservation’s core values and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Desired Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in business, aviation management, environmental science, or related field preferred.
• Experience building and scaling a drone program or aviation services within a business, nonprofit, or governmental organization.
• Demonstrated success in securing regulatory approvals and service agreements for specialized drone operations internationally (e.g., NZ CAA Part 102 or equivalents).
• Experience in business development.
• Familiarity with fleet and operations management software.
• Experience using financial tools to monitor and forecast project or program viability.
• Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.
• Additional languages relevant to Island Conservation’s operational regions are a plus.