Program Director, Activating the Natural Resource Economy - Military veterans preferred

TITLE: Program Director, Activating the Natural Resource Economy

LINE OF BUSINESS/DIVISION: Working Lands

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Conservation Ventures

NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: 2

LOCATION: Chapel Hill, NC preferred (remote locations may be considered)

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

The Program Director, Activating the Natural Resource Economy, will lead The Conservation Fund’s vision and mission that effective conservation must not only protect the land, but ensure communities that depend on it are vibrant, resilient, thriving, and healthy. Responsible for overall program strategy and implementation, the Director is expected to drive national attention and resources to rural communities—helping to close the urban rural investment gap and strengthening nature-related industries (such as forest products, sustainable food, clean energy, and outdoor recreation) while addressing critical community infrastructure needs (such as affordable housing and downtown redevelopment). The Program Director will supervise the existing program team and work in partnership with State Directors and Conservation Acquisition staff, and our many existing ANRE partners around the country. The Activating the Natural Resource Economy program supports a growing network of rural development partners and projects through a peer learning network, a flexible subgrants program, and technical assistance. The program works to attract philanthropic and public funding to these partners and projects, and to elevate the field of natural resource-based rural development through a growing body of presentations and tools. The Director will work collaboratively across the organization and with external partners to identify market needs, design and implement new approaches to rural community economic development, and secure critical resources through external presentations and pitches.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work closely with the CEO and SVP of Conservation Ventures to refine and execute the strategy for this emerging program.
• Grow the program from seven Focus Regions in which the program currently operates to a national level adding a fundable projects catalog and ensuring an appropriate level of service delivery across scales of engagement.
• Manage and grow collaborative trust-based relationships with key partners in the private sector, public agencies, other NGOs, and within TCF.
• Coordinate with TCF State Directors and Conservation Acquisition staff, particularly in the seven existing Focus Regions. Organize and coordinate work with TCF staff in fundraising, finance, marketing-communications and others as needed for budgets, impact reporting, and grant and contract compliance.
• Work with Development and the existing team to develop funding relationships, proposals letters of intent, memos, concept papers, budgets, and other materials to secure funding relationships that align with organization’s needs and priorities. 
• Set and adjust the short- and long-term responsibilities for the team members and ensure their continued success and professional growth.
• Expand peer-to-peer learning opportunities for rural development partners and funders.
• Build out the suite of metrics, case studies, whitepapers, and presentations that document and drive innovations in rural development practice.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Supervise the Activation team, ensuring successful program implementation and continued professional growth
• Oversee the daily workflow of the department.
• Recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff.
• Manage relationships with contractors and oversee products.
• Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations.  
• Handle discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO HAVE

• At least ten years of experience with and mastery of or strong familiarity with rural community economic development, particularly in the United States.
• Experience successfully engaging with community development regional hubs, economic development authorities, and philanthropic foundations.
• Proven ability to build trusting relationships with individuals and organizations with different perspectives and cultures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, Teams. 

WHAT WE’D LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree in community planning, economic development, or related field.
• Familiarity with rural America and its history, policies, economy, and conservation resources.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to work within deadlines and smile under pressure.
• Experience soliciting, implementing, and reporting on economic development at the $1+ million scale.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, maintain own schedule in coordination with other staff, demonstrate flexibility and an ability to shift priorities quickly, and a dedication to teamwork.
• Ability to work positively and cooperatively with the public, TCF staff, and private and governmental organizations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• Some lifting and carrying will occasionally be necessary – up to 20 pounds.
• Work is performed in an office setting—requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a
• computer.
• When visiting partners and conservation sites, the ability to traverse moderate terrain in outdoor/all weather conditions will occasionally be necessary.
• Willingness to travel as necessary to carry out duties, including long distance and/or overnight trips, occasionally involving short notice.
• Estimated travel – Less than 15-30% per month. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $140,000, and the position is eligible for opportunities to earn performance-based bonus compensation. Please note: Salary range provided is an estimate and will be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into consideration the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education. The final salary offer will be determined accordingly.

The Fund offers a highly competitive package of benefits including:

• Employer contributions for medical, vision and dental insurance plans.

• Retirement plan discretionary company contribution.

• Company contributions to HSA account.

• Company-paid paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance.

• Continuing education benefit for approved programs.

• Employee assistance program (EAP). 

• Generous paid vacation, sick and floating holidays.

• Voluntary Life Insurance, AD&D, Spouse and Child plans at group rates.

• Six weeks paid parental leave

• 14 paid holidays

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, The Conservation Fund encourages you to apply.

The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit corporation, is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave status, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression. The Fund prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.