Current Openings

Director of Strategic Philanthropy
Program Manager - Fisheries
Senior Vice President of Program, Science and Evaluation
Director - Wildlife & Habitat Conservation

Title: Director of Strategic Philanthropy

Summary: As a key member of the Foundation's Development and Marketing team, this position will focus on raising funds to support the Foundation's highest priority initiatives and programs (Keystones). In collaboration with the Executive Director, Senior Leadership team and Director of Development and Marketing, the Director of Strategic Philanthropy will develop and implement an aggressive fundraising plan ensuring that fundraising goals are achieved and aligned with the Foundation's mission and strategic goals. Strong communication skills are required to articulate the Foundation's mission, goals and programs to successfully "make the case" for support, as is the ability to interact effectively with high profile individuals. The position will work closely with the Executive Director, Initiative and Program Directors and Directors of the Partnership offices as well as the Development Team to coordinate development activities. In addition, the position will work closely with the Directors of the Government Affairs and External Relations Team to ensure strategic planning and communication related to Keystone fundraising is consistent and coordinated.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Cultivate, solicit and steward prospective corporate, foundation and major donors for six and seven figure gifts to support the Foundation's Keystone priorities.
Lead and coordinate development of Keystone funding strategies in consultation with the Executive Director, Director of Development and Marketing, Directors of the Partnership offices, and Initiative and Program Directors.
Serve as liaison with program staff to develop, strengthen and expand funding for Keystone and priority initiatives and programs.
Develop corporate, foundation and major donor prospect strategies and help lead all facets of the donor engagement process including meeting set up, preparation of briefings and follow up proposals, reports and acknowledgements.
Work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications, development support staff and program staff to develop any case statements, power-point presentations, proposals and collateral materials needed to bolster the cultivation, solicitation or stewardship of donors and prospects.
Meet with corporate and foundation representatives and major donors to increase support of the Foundation's strategic goals.
Coordinate with development support staff to ensure the prompt acknowledgement of grants and gifts to the Foundation.
Prepare/coordinate contact reports and provide important information on prospects for prospect tracking system.
Coordinate departmental strategic planning related to current and potential foundation and major donor partners.
Create, execute and evaluate Keystone Initiative fundraising plans.
Support preparation of communication/marketing materials related to Keystone and priority initiative fundraising.
Work closely with the Government Relations Team to assist in Congressional and federal relations and ensure strong linkages between the Foundation and its agency partners.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop new processes where needed to improve existing processes.
Recommend and lead efforts to improve existing processes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS)

Bachelor's degree and minimum seven years of successful fundraising experience. Graduate degree a plus.
Strong knowledge of fish and wildlife conservation issues.
Working knowledge of Congress and federal agencies.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills including presentation skills and ability to interact effectively with high profile individuals a must.
A demonstrated ability to lead others and get desired results.
Ability to think strategically and plan for a period of 1-5 years in the future.
Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
Ability to influence and persuade to achieve desired outcomes.
Strong team player.
Ability and willingness to travel on short notice.
Excellent attention to detail, organizational, and follow-through skills.
Flexibility and ability to work independently in a rapidly changing environment.
Computer proficiency with databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
Commitment to Foundation values.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Location: Washington, DC

To apply, please send an e-mail, with attachments in Word format, containing your cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, resume, three professional references and your salary requirements to Marla Oliver, Human Resources Coordinator, at HR6@nfwf.org. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Title: Program Manager - Fisheries

Summary: Working out of the Foundation's Washington, D.C. office, the Program Manager - Fisheries will be a key member of the Marine and Coastal Conservation team and will manage strategic development and implementation of the Foundation's sustainable fisheries programs including, but not limited to Diadromous Fish Initiative, U.S. Shellfish Initiative, as well as the Marine Protected Area Fund. S/he is responsible for developing strategies and programs, assisting in securing funding opportunities, managing applicable funding sources, management of advisory committees, interacting with existing and potential grant/contract recipients, coordinating proposal review, providing technical assistance to grantees, reviewing/approving reports from grantees, coordinating with the project administration team to assure the effective implementation of the Foundation's grant administration policies, drafting recommendations for staff and Board action, and closely coordinating program efforts with the Director, Marine and Coastal Conservation (Director) and other Foundation staff. S/he is also responsible for other duties as assigned by the Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Design and implement conservation strategies for NFWF in fisheries and other conservation initiatives in coordination with the Director and other marine team members, various advisory committees, Foundation program staff including Keystone Initiative Directors and Evaluators, Government Relations, contractors, agency liaisons and the Board.
Establish program priorities, including measurable goals and objectives; work with the program advisory committee to solicit, review and approve grant awards; developing, coordinating and implementing site-specific technical assistance plans/strategies with grantees; negotiate milestones with grantees; and establishing systems to monitor progress of each grantee (using Foundation technical and financial tracking databases).
Manage applicable funding source(s) as appropriate, including preparation of grant applications and amendments, preparation and submission of financial and programmatic reports and coordination with agency project officers.
Assist in securing additional funding for fisheries programs (including subgrants) and the operations of the Foundation.
Serve as spokesperson for the Foundation with regard to this program, its conservation objectives and accomplishments. Coordinate the fisheries program activities with others involved or affected by project decisions.
Establish and maintain networks with the myriad organizations and interests engaged in fisheries work.
Keep abreast of scientific and policy developments that may impact efforts to promote sustainable fisheries.
Seek opportunities for information sharing among grantees and with policy makers about lessons learned and accomplishments of grant-funded projects.
Assure compliance with all requirements of cooperative agreements, including quality assurance for data and the environmental results policy, and assure that all activities are communicated and coordinated with the Director, other Foundation staff as appropriate and Foundation agency liaisons.
Review and evaluate submissions by grant/contract recipients and applicants assuring that results are in full compliance with Foundation and funding source requirements.
Track and monitor proposals and active grants/contracts in coordination with the project administration team.
Coordinate the program's external technical review of proposals in accordance with Foundation policy.
Prepare briefing materials and recommendations to support decision making by the Foundation's staff and Board.
Prepare and/or assist in the preparation of various descriptive and evaluative reports as directed.
Subject to programmatic objectives and budgetary considerations, propose and conduct site visits in accordance with Foundation policy.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Recommend new processes where needed to improve existing processes.
Recommend and lead efforts to improve existing processes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS)

Advanced degree or equivalent experience with concentration in fisheries biology, fisheries economics, oceanography or marine biology preferred
Experience working in fisheries management and liaising with the fishing Industry preferred
Experience in building coalitions.
Three years experience in program management.
Demonstrated success in fundraising or program development.
Experience working with federal resource agencies, with experience managing cooperative agreements preferred.
Grants management and administration experience preferred.
Professionalism and leadership qualities.
Driven by a desire to meet and exceed goals
Thrives in a rapidly changing environment.
Strong listening and communication skills.
Strong analytical and reasoning skills.
Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines.
Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills.
Strong analytical skills.
Computer proficiency.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Location: Washington, DC

To apply, please send an e-mail, with attachments in Word format, containing your cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, resume, three professional references and your salary requirements to Marla Oliver, Human Resources Coordinator, at HR2@nfwf.org. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Title: Senior Vice President of Program, Science and Evaluation

Summary: The Senior Vice President of Program, Science and Evaluation is one of two direct reports to the President of the Foundation and will advance the organization by creating and implementing a vision, conservation strategy, and metrics-based evaluation system for the Foundation's grant making programs and development. This position will work closely with the Board of the Foundation and must be comfortable presenting to and working with a diverse variety of audiences such as NGOs, corporations, federal agencies, and senior leaders in business and conservation.

The Senior Vice President should be viewed as a conservation leader who serves an important role in shaping strategy, guiding the conservation policies and practices of the Foundation, and supporting the interests of Board. In this role, the Senior Vice President will need to be a person of deep experience and stature in the conservation field, and also be a person eager to work in an innovative, entrepreneurial and high energy workplace environment.

The Senior Vice President is the strategic leader and also provides day-to-day direction to the Program staff. Because of the breadth of the overall program, the Senior Vice President must possess both a vision and an ability to analyze and synthesize complex information that supports the Foundation's conservation goals. The Senior Vice President must cultivate strong and cooperative working partnerships with government agencies, corporations, foundations, and other conservation partners, and have the presence and stature to engage the highest levels of leadership in these organizations.

The Senior Vice President should be an energetic and entrepreneurial leader and possess sophisticated conservation, financial, and management capabilities. The Senior Vice President must be able to direct, motivate, and develop a professional staff. This person should be able to articulate a vision that embodies the collective view of the Program staff - this person needs to possess humility and respect in all aspects of their leadership.

The broad goals for the Senior Vice President include:

In partnership with the President, key senior Foundation leadership and Board, lead in the design of a conservation vision and strategy, develop an implementation strategy, and supervise its implementation - defining and carrying out long-term program strategies and operational objectives in order to ensure that grantmaking activities materially advance the program strategies supported by the Board of Directors.
Oversee and participate actively in developing and leading program initiatives, including conservation business and integrated funding plans in coordination with the Development, Government Relations and other departments within the Foundation.
Build an understanding of outcomes-based grant making and capacity in the Foundation.
Reach out to and offer leadership to the conservation community - establish and cultivate relationships with relevant thought leaders by actively engaging in dialogue and by supporting organization activities.
Establish the Foundation as a leader in innovative conservation programs and accountability.
Synthesize science and effective methods of action, identifying targeted outcomes and planning approaches, developing lines of business initiative and defining evaluation strategy.

The Senior Vice President will be charged to carry out the following responsibilities:

Working with the President and Foundation staff to effectively engage the Board in the strategic direction of conservation efforts to maximize the effect of grant dollars.
Facilitating timely information flow between Senior Executives and Program Executives and staff to assure the ongoing awareness of important developments necessary to fulfill strategic priorities.
Assist the Foundation in achieving financial goals by establishing objectives, developing and monitoring budgets, controlling and reducing costs, and optimizing use of assets and proposal review - evaluate results at initiative, program and grant levels for conservation and cost/benefit impact.
Contribute to team effort by offering information and opinion as a member of senior management, reporting to the Board, integrating objectives with other functions and accomplishing special projects as needed.
Oversee development of programmatic materials to be presented at the Board meetings, ensuring adherence to timelines by team, appropriateness and accuracy of materials.
Effectively communicate the Conservation Program's vision, values, and strategic goals to key internal and external audiences.
Manage ongoing work of staff by serving as a supervisor, mentor, and coach who encourages collaboration, innovation, excellence, and professional development for all staff.
Build science and evaluation principles into program implementation processes. Drives consistency and the application of best practices in the implementation of continuity measures.
Participate in identifying and selecting grantees, methodologies and tools. Incorporate results of evaluation into modifications of programs and strategic and operational plans.
Participate as a leader within the conservation funding community.

The Senior Vice President should ideally embody the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Professional Qualifications

Recognition as a conservation leader who possesses a proven track record of success and accomplishment.
Demonstrated success as an inspirational manager who has considerable experience attracting, developing, evaluating, and retaining professional staff.
Proven managerial talent in budgeting, staffing, and performance management, demonstrated track record of partnering and developing consensus within an organizational climate of diverse operational activities.
Demonstrated experience and understanding in the role science plays in policy development and conservation of natural resources, demonstrated ability to create and implement metrics and evaluation programs.
Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze and evaluate a large volume of information, and to communicate accurate and timely recommendations to the President, as required.
Ability to anticipate, influence and assist the organization to assess and rapidly adjust to changing conditions and trends in a multi-cultural environment.
Comfort in working with NGOs, corporations, federal and state agencies, and senior leaders in business and philanthropy.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex science-related issues to non-scientists and an ability to translate scientific and evaluative metrics to internal and external audiences, board members and others.
Possessing a practical understanding of the key issues in the environmental field, a sophisticated knowledge of the political implications, and a demonstrated ability to navigate these issues diplomatically.
The ability and flexibility to travel extensively.
A Ph.D., in natural resource management or related environmental fields.

Personal Attributes

A deep commitment to science-based conservation and the mission of the Foundation.
Excellent conceptual and critical thinking skills and sound judgment, with strategic orientation and ability to perform tactically, as required.
Articulate, with proven ability to write effectively and speak persuasively.
Superlative interpersonal skills, including an ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas, intellectual curiosity, approachability, and openness to input from all levels of staff.
High energy level, personable, trustworthy, diplomatic, and in possession of impeccable integrity.
Exceptional managerial, analytical, strategic, and tactical ability.
Proven team player and leader able to motivate and inspire staff as well as colleagues to work well as a team.

Compensation

Compensation for the Senior Vice President includes a competitive base salary and a comprehensive package of employee benefits.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter explaining how your skills and background fit this position and a resume to resumes@explorecompany.com

Daniel Sherman
President
Explore Company
301.933.8990 fax

Title: Director - Wildlife & Habitat Conservation

Summary: The Keystone Initiatives are a centerpiece of the Foundation's strategic plan and drive our work on some of the most important conservation issues in North America. The goal of the Keystone Initiatives is to create and implement a core portfolio of select, issue-specific programs that will achieve long-term impact with measurable outcomes. Keystone Directors work with program staff and evaluation scientists to create and implement programs that have the potential to influence conservation well beyond the Foundation's own resources. The Keystone Director is expected to be a thought-leader in his/her field and strengthen the Foundation's position as a leader in the conservation community. Keystone Directors are also expected to play a leadership role in securing federal and private funding for their programs.

For the Wildlife & Habitat Director, the Foundation seeks an individual with an entrepreneurial spirit and a broad knowledge of the challenges facing terrestrial ecosystems. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrable record as an innovator in his/her field and serve as a catalyst within the Foundation to create new combinations of people, processes, methodologies, and ideas that will expand successes in outcome-based conservation. The Foundation is particularly interested in individuals with expertise in one or more of the following issues: innovative land conservation (acquisition and restoration) techniques, ecosystem services, wildlife corridor design and conservation, and/or energy development impacts on wildlife. The Wildlife & Habitat Director should have a strong scientific background and thorough understanding of the cutting-edge issues in terrestrial conservation as well as the ability to raise funding.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Implementation of and evaluation of existing Wildlife and Habitat Keystone Initiatives, which include: Sierra Meadows, Sky Island Grasslands, Northern Rockies Wildlife Corridors, and Early Successional Forests (more detail on these Initiatives is available at www.nfwf.org; click on "Keystones.") Development of new Initiatives as appropriate.
The ability to coordinate and facilitate groups of partners to work collaboratively on on-the-ground implementation of Initiatives.
Communicating effectively and persuasively with a diversity of audiences including the Foundation's Board of Directors, Members of Congress, scientists, landowners and government agencies across the country.
Diligently pursuing innovative public and private partnerships to secure operational and programmatic funding for this initiative in coordination with the Development and Government Relations staff and regional offices.
Demonstrating thought leadership with the public, scientific, and/or conservation communities.
Coordinating with Foundation staff on all aspects of development and implementation of the Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Initiative to ensure strong integration of existing and new programs with this effort.
Managing applicable funding source(s) as appropriate, including preparation of grant applications and amendments, preparation and submission of financial and programmatic reports, and coordination with project officers to ensure compliance with all funding source requirements.
Preparing briefing materials and recommendations to support decision making by the Foundation's Board.
Representing the Foundation at appropriate meetings, conferences, etc.
Conducting site visits in accordance with Foundation policy.
Willingness to travel with moderate frequency and sometimes on short notice.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

Recommending and leading efforts to improve internal administrative processes.
Performing other duties as assigned by the Director of Science and Evaluation.

Qualifications

PhD or masters degree with equivalent experience in natural resource management.
Demonstrated thought leadership within area of expertise.
Five to eight years experience in conservation program management.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of staff to create a highly integrated program.
Demonstrated ability to lead others and get desired results.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate productive exchange among government and non-government agencies and organizations.
Extensive experience and confidence to discuss conservation priorities and projects with Board members, 'grasstop' donors, Congressional staff and senior members of federal agency directorates.
Proven success in fundraising or program development.
Experience working with federal resource agencies and in managing cooperative agreements preferred.
Experience in grant management and administration preferred.
Ability to respond quickly and accurately to requests for information.
Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet short deadlines.
Strong interpersonal skills, particularly ability in working with the public and institutions.
Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills.
Ability to think strategically and plan for the future.
Flexibility in a rapidly changing environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
Computer proficiency with databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
Commitment to Foundation values.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Location: Washington, DC

To apply, please send an e-mail, with attachments in Word format, containing your cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, resume, one to two page writing samples, three professional references and your salary requirements to Marla Oliver, Human Resources Coordinator, at HR2@nfwf.org. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Equal Opportunity Statement - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate against any employee, applicant, director, officer, contractor, or any other person with whom it deals because of race, creed, color, disability, age, sex, veteran status, religion or political affiliation. The Foundation complies with all federal and local statutes prohibiting discrimination in employment.

Disclaimer - The statements contained herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the employees in these positions. The statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in each position. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the responsibilities, duties, and skills at any time.