Program Director

The Nature Conservancy of Canada•Edmonton, AB

1d•CA$100,919 - CA$113,514•Onsite

About The Position

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Program Director to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain. NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 20 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on. NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways. Position Summary The Program Director oversees stewardship delivery in Alberta, through land and asset management activities and partner relations. This includes but is not limited to supporting and supervising a team in implementation of property management activities, planning and delivery of maintenance and improvement projects, liaising with partners, issues management, and support and supervision of the Natural Area Management team. This position is based in Alberta with the expectation that the successful candidate will be able to travel to conservation sites throughout the province regularly, particularly in field season (May-October).

Requirements

Possesses at least a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or a 2-year Diploma and 2 additional years of experience in Environmental Science/ Studies, Natural Resource Management, Conservation Management or related discipline
At least 5-years' experience delivering conservation or environmental management activities and projects in a rural setting
Strong leadership ability with 5 years of direct experience in people management; a willingness to delegate decision making authority; and ability to empower, mentor and lead staff
Experience preparing and adjusting annual workplans and budgets, based on funding available and priority needs; proven operational and project management acumen, able to effectively allocate a variety of resources to deliver to plan and budget
Experience resolving land management issues and negotiating land-related legal agreements (e.g., leases, infrastructure access agreements, licenses of occupation, regulatory permits, etc.); proven negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Proactive and creative problem solving, with an ability to anticipate and resolve problematic situations before they arise based on NCC’s priorities and operational context; willingness to act decisively to manage risk and resolve issues in collaboration with the team
Experience working with Indigenous Peoples, rural landowners and agricultural producers
Must be prepared to travel, up to 30% in late Spring and Summer; occasional evening and weekend work

Nice To Haves

Candidates with experience using GIS and SharePoint to manage and deliver work will be favoured

Responsibilities

Lead a team of experienced professionals to deliver land stewardship activities, monitoring and reporting, and property improvement projects across Alberta
Hire and supervise any employees and contractors/consultants within area of responsibility
Implement NCC’s staff performance management program for the Natural Area Management team, including annual goal setting, individual professional development plans, periodic reviews and regular feedback on performance
Implement NCC Alberta’s Health and Safety Management Program for the Natural Area Management team, including risk assessment, training, safety equipment management, safe work delivery and incident management; ensure contractors are aware of property-level risks relevant to their work
Foster a collaborative, supportive, and positive work environment for NCC staff
Oversee development of multi-year property management plans for fee simple properties; ensure implementation of property management plans via annual stewardship workplan delivery
Ensure NCC properties and associated assets are safe, and are managed consistent with NCC’s legal obligations and internal stewardship policies, standards, procedures and guidelines
Support Natural Area Managers with legal, asset management and stakeholder issues; find solutions for complex problems in collaboration with colleagues and leadership as necessary
Oversee public access to fee simple properties and support land sharing initiatives
Support delivery of stewardship projects and activities on partner conservation lands
Develop and manage an annual stewardship workplan and budget in collaboration with peers. Oversee resource allocation, delivery and re-allocation, and support on financial reporting
Ensure all property records - including contracts, management activity records and monitoring reports - follow NCC’s records management requirements
Provide periodic reports to the Regional Board and Committees, National Office, Regional Vice President, external partners and donors
Participate, as required, in Regional Board and Committee meetings and present reports and proposals within land conservation.
Contribute to fundraising efforts by collaborating with NCC’s Development team
Support Natural Area Managers in meetings with leaseholders, landowner partners and neighbours to maintain positive relationships
Participate in government relations and Indigenous partner meetings, as requested
Represent NCC at external events, including regional community events, partner events, and conservation-related conferences and workshops