Vice President Conservation Programs

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 executive-level conservation professional to help lead our team of dedicated conservation professionals and maximize IC’s impact for biodiversity, oceans, climate, and island communities. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this person is part of IC’s leadership team, representing our Conservation staff and programs.

Essential Duties

30% Team Supervision

• Support, coach, mentor and evaluate up to 5 senior-level direct reports.
• Working closely with the CEO and Director of Human Resources and Administration (HR), develop the professional skills and aptitude of our team members.
• Identify and/or review then approve new Conservation staff hire needs as necessary.

25% Fundraising

• Coordinating with Philanthropy, serve as a primary or secondary relationship-holder to major donors and foundations, cultivate strong connections, and solicit gifts, as appropriate.
• Working closely with Philanthropy and Conservation colleagues to identify, qualify, cultivate, and apply for government, foundation, bi-lateral, multilateral, and other grant opportunities.
• Collaborate with direct reports and Conservation colleagues to identify, develop, and strategically align priority funding needs.

20% Strategy, Partnerships, Communications

• Supervise and collaborate with the Director of Partnerships and other colleagues to develop new and maintain existing partnerships with governments, non-profits, community representatives, and others to reach our strategic plan goals, as well as grow and sustain our initiatives (e.g., the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC)), operations, and supporters.
• Supervise, collaborate, and plan with the regional Heads of Operations and Deputy VP Conservation, and other colleagues to develop, resource, and implement regional strategies and projects to reach our organizational strategic goals and initiatives (e.g., the IOCC).
• Represent IC to external audiences, including supporting organization-wide and regional initiatives and relationships.
• Coordinate with the Communications team, Conservation direct reports and colleagues to maximize effective storytelling and increase support for IC.

20% Leadership & Board Relations

• Foster/promote transparency, collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Represent Conservation programs and staff at the internal Directors Circle and Leadership Team.
• With HR, Conservation direct reports and colleagues, and others, develop policies, standard operating procedures, and tools to increase efficiency, effectiveness, collaboration, and/or minimize organizational risk.
• Collaborating with colleagues, serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Director’s Program Committee.
• Develop and manage strong relationships with Board members, as assigned.

5% Financial oversight:

• With the Finance team and Conservation direct reports and colleagues, develop annual budgets and regularly track and manage fiscal performance and reporting.
• Review and approve contracts associated with Conservation operations.

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 

• This position requires approximately 8-14 work trips per year (both domestic and international). Trips will regularly be of 3-7 days in duration but may be as long as 2-3 weeks, as needed. 
• Most time is spent at a desk, with travel including to conferences and remote field sites.
• Must possess a valid passport and a valid driver’s license.
• Depending on remote location requested, must be able to adapt working hours to overlap regularly with staff and partners in all relevant time zones (e.g., America/Pacific, America/Mountain, America/Puerto Rico, U.S./Hawaii, Pacific/Palau, Pacific/Auckland, Chile/Continental, Europe/London, Europe/Paris).

Required Qualifications 

• Master’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• A successful candidate will have a minimum of 7+ years of conservation program management experience, preferably across multiple countries.
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience, including of multiple conservation professionals: coaching, mentoring, counselling, performance management and accountability. Regarded as a highly effective and supportive manager by past direct reports and supervisors.
• Strong executive presence/functions: proven ability to effectively interact with CEO, executive team members and board; able to contribute as part of a strong and collaborative executive leadership team.
• Highly developed emotional intelligence, interpersonal, influencing and relationship skills and a proven ability to motivate teams.
• Sound understanding of the links between environmental conservation and community livelihoods.
• Proven ability to raise funds through grants and individual donations.
• Demonstrated ability for strategic thinking and planning and the implementation of set strategic goals.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced not-for-profit environment, have excellent judgement, ethics, and decision-making skills, and produce high-quality work.
• Excellent verbal, writing and editing skills (English language).
• Passion for Island Conservation’s mission.
• Alignment with Island Conservation’s core values and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Desired Qualifications 

• Doctorate degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• 10+ years of conservation program management experience across multiple countries and regions.
• 7+ years of supervisory experience of multiple conservation team members.
• Fluent / Bilingual Proficiency in Spanish or French (written, spoken, and comprehension skills).
• Experience communicating across cultural and language barriers.
• Existing programmatic or philanthropic knowledge and connections with key audiences from our sector (i.e. biodiversity conservation, ocean conservation, climate resiliency and adaptation, community-lead conservation).