Associate Program Director, Conservation

The Crosby Company•Boston, MA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Conservation uses sector expertise, project management, and problem-solving skills to oversee and grow strategic grantmaking across multiple portfolios to advance the impact of Foundations’ Conservation program. The Associate Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing and managing the execution of strategic grantmaking across a range of portfolios, providing expertise in support of other program areas and projects, and supporting the Program Director in annual planning, goal-setting, and team building. This role involves developing a deep understanding of the conservation program’s multi-year pipeline, contributing to foundation-wide priorities, and building relationships with practitioners, partners, funders, and experts in the conservation field. As a senior member of the team, the Associate Program Director will directly manage several team members, support continued professional development, and foster a collaborative and supportive team culture.

Requirements

A minimum of 15 years of conservation-related work experience, which is aligned with the Foundations’ strategies; experience as a nonprofit practitioner in this work is ideal.
Experience in philanthropy is required, preferably working with or as part of a family foundation, and preferably with direct experience with strategic grantmaking and strategy/portfolio development.
Demonstrated prior success in leading, managing, and developing teams and driving a strong, positive culture in alignment with an organization’s values and goals.
Exceptional relationship-building and management skills with demonstrated prior success at creating meaningful long-term professional relationships.
The ability to translate complex and voluminous information into clear, concise written project previews, descriptions, and recommendations.
Analytical skills and experience, particularly in conducting due diligence for organizations and projects; ability to assess information to draw sound conclusions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, suitable for internal and external audiences.
Ability to multi-task and work flexibly and creatively within a fast-moving, changing, and complex environment.
Sound judgment, integrity, humility, and respect for confidentiality.
Strong service orientation.
Successful candidates must undergo a comprehensive background check.

Nice To Haves

experience as a nonprofit practitioner in this work is ideal
preferably working with or as part of a family foundation
preferably with direct experience with strategic grantmaking and strategy/portfolio development

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage execution of strategic grantmaking across a range of portfolios.
Directly manage, partner with, and support program officers to ensure high-quality grant-making closely aligned with select conservation portfolio impact goals.
Overseeing the grant development process (e.g., cultivation, pipeline management, Trustee communications, stewardship).
Ensuring that written summaries for senior management and Trustees are accurate, clear and compelling.
Monitoring and evaluating grant effectiveness against stated and overall portfolio objectives and ensuring that data and information are up to date in the grants management system.
Partnering with colleagues to identify opportunities that deepen or expand existing areas of focus.
Provide expertise in support of other program areas and projects, as needed.
Support Program Director in annual planning, goal-setting, and team building.
Provide expertise and thought partnership to the Director on goal setting and continuously improving the impact of the conservation program and special initiatives.
Develop deep understanding of the conservation program’s multi-year pipeline, including tracking progress against goals and work with the team to mitigate any gaps to achieving targets.
Contribute to and advance key foundation-wide, cross-cutting priorities, including research, learning, and impact measurement efforts.
Provide thought partnership on overall Conservation team growth, structure and portfolio assignments.
Build and maintain meaningful relationships with practitioners, partners, funders, and experts in the conservation field to understand opportunities and challenges.
Directly manage several team members, support continued professional development, and work with the Director and other team members to foster a collaborative and supportive team culture.