Bird Conservancy of the Rockies: Stewardship Director

Bird Conservancy is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to oversee the management, implementation, and strategic growth of our Stewardship program. The Stewardship Director collaboratively works with state agencies, joint ventures, foundations, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to strategically guide and inform “on the ground” conservation across the Great Plains and Intermountain West. Specifically, the program aims to create a community of practice that simultaneously improves human well-being and wildlife habitat across the landscape through an inclusive, collaborative, and voluntary approach. Landscapes include working lands, public lands, and Indigenous Nations. The Stewardship team consists of 4 Program Managers and 15 Wildlife Habitat Biologists housed in Natural Resource Conservation Service offices in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and New Mexico. The director will also work closely with other Bird Conservancy program directors and the Chief Conservation Scientist in supporting the Applied Conservation Scientist.

Qualified applicants will have a natural curiosity, willingness to learn and strong aptitude for leadership with exceptional relational skills. They will have high emotional intelligence, a passion for people and the land, and be an effective communicator. In addition, we are seeking applicants with a background in wildlife conservation, land stewardship, or human dimensions, and experience overseeing large-scale programmatic implementation, including a large budget, and a passion for collaborative conservation. Desired qualifications include a successful track record of leadership skills, grant making as well as familiarity with land stewardship and voluntary incentive-based conservation. The Stewardship Director will be based in Fort Collins, CO with at least 3 days a week in the office and ~2 days telework as agreed upon with supervisor.

essential job duties and responsibilities:

• Provide coaching, mentoring, vision, and leadership for a complex program and multiple staff
• Provide management, leadership, and financial oversight of Stewardship program: timely completion of project deliverables, contract oversight, budgeting, reviewing proposals, grants, and manuscripts
• Communicate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to promote “on the ground” conservation delivery, including serving on committees, boards and working groups as agreed upon by Executive Leadership
• Provide strategic oversight of existing stewardship program and development of new program areas, including integration with other core Bird Conservancy program areas
• Guide program growth through partnership network, grant writing, and development activities

Other Duties:

• Work with CCS to implement cross team collaboration with science and education programs via regular communications and interactions on strategy, proposals, partner development, etc.
• Ensure stewardship practices meet wildlife and habitat needs through effectiveness monitoring
• Travel to meet with partners, attend professional meetings, and give presentations to stakeholders
• Other duties as assigned

 knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Natural curiosity and eagerness to learn a complex program
• High emotional intelligence and proven skill set in personnel management and relationship building
• Strategic thinker and ability to provide programmatic vision
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal along with excellent interpersonal skills
• Experience with habitat restoration practices and voluntary conservation efforts 
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a conservation related field (Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology, Human Dimensions) or equivalent experience
• 5-7 years’ experience supervising full-time (non-seasonals) staff with direct reports and programmatic oversight
• Experience with acquiring, execution and completion of government and private (e.g., foundation) grants and contracts
• Advanced knowledge of wildlife and land stewardship
• Knowledge of non-profit standard business practices preferred

• Proven track record in building and maintaining partnerships with broad spectrum of stakeholders
• Preferred working knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Great Plains and Intermountain West
• Preferred familiarity with Farm Bill Conservation Programs and/or
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends, overnights
• Willingness to travel locally, regionally, and potentially internationally
• Proficient in Microsoft Office