Project Manager – North American Bison Summit (remote okay)

The Project Manager for the second North American Bison Summit (NABS2) will be a crucial member of the Wildlife Restoration Foundation (WRF) team. This individual with play a lead role in managing the NABS2 team and project design and implementation and will work closely with the WRF President, Director of Operations, and NABS2 Operative Team to ensure the smooth execution of the Summit with sufficient resources, ample participation, and quality results.

The inaugural North American Bison Summit: A New Chapter for Grasslands Conservation & the Rural Way of Life  in April 2025 in Larimer County, Colorado was the most cutting-edge and inclusive gathering on the topic of bison to date. NABS engaged diverse sector leadership in Summit participation and use of models as tools aiding practitioners to achieve Summit goals. The Summit elevates the historical intent to conserve bison while recognizing that Tribal/First Nations culture and livestock ranching are also highly valued in North America. Representatives from Tribes/First Nations composed one-third of NABS participation, and 25% of participants were from the agricultural sector. The second NABS is planned for Fall 2026 in line with the 10th anniversary of passage of the National Bison Legacy Act.

The NABS Team designs and develops the Summit to draw together diverse sectors to examine and aptly characterize the American Bison as contributing to the preservation of rural life in North America while engaging the livestock community in efforts to find common values and collaborate. Outcomes planned are:

• Models & Methodologies with best practices for bison conservation in harmony with ranching.
• Collaboration at landscape unit, cross-sector, and multi-jurisdictional scales.
• Recognized benefits of wild and managed grazers for ecological restoration and climate resilience.
• Buffalo culture revitalization and food sovereignty by Tribal/First Nations.
• Bison disease mitigation, genetic variability, and whole herd health.
• Ecological, cultural and economic valuation woven into conservation and management goals.
• An uplifting of the U.S. National Mammal and historical meaning of the bison to Canada and Mexico and Tribal/First Nations, generating new partnerships.

The NABS2 Project Manager, in collaboration with WRF leadership, will manage the Operative Team in generating all elements of the Summit including but not limited to content, logistics, fundraising, and onsite activities. The Project Manager will assist the WRF President in forming and sustaining partnerships and facilitate the NABS2 Organizing and Program Committees.

The NABS2 Project Manager is required to designate 16-20 hours a week to WRF and agree to work with WRF through execution of the Summit (about 8 months) and be able to be onsite for Summit prep and proceedings. This Project Manager role is intended for an individual who is a self-starter, ambitious, creative, productive, and dedicated to WRF’s mission and NABS2 vision. The NABS2 Project Manager position is in part volunteer, but a monthly stipend is available based on resources and performance.

Key Position Responsibilities:

• Work with WRF Executive and NABS2 Operative Teams to develop all elements of the Summit
• Manage the various NABS2 subteams to develop the Summit
• Coordinating Model & Methodology collections and oversight of e-Workbook production
• Collaborate with the NABS2 Program Committee and Organizing Committees to structure Summit content and agendas
• Oversee registration including attendee, exhibitor, and sponsorship management
• Creating a master timelines and database to ensure the efficient development of Summit to complete all deliverables.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, conservation sciences, or similar fields
• Proven experience in planning and executing large-scale events or conferences
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Proficiency in event management software and tools
• Familiarity with wildlife conservation issues, particularly those related to human-wildlife coexistence
• Passion for wildlife and conservation required!

The NABS2 Project Manager will report to the WRF President and Director of Operations. Hours are flexible within the week, but participation in NABS2 core team and vendor/venue meetings via Zoom is mandatory.

Thank you for your interest in contributing your event planning skills to the Wildlife Restoration Foundation team and our mission to protect America’s park wildlife!