Senior Manager, Madagascar Program

Missouri Botanical Garden•St. Louis, MO

8d•$83,135•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Madagascar Program provides leadership for the Garden’s Madagascar program, defining, developing, and implementing its scientific, conservation, and restoration strategy and developing supporting business plans. The role ensures that initiatives advance departmental and division objectives and the Garden’s mission, while developing and motivating an effective team, fostering communication and collaboration, promoting the Garden’s science and conservation work, and helping secure ongoing funding. The position develops research on plant diversity and related topics focused on Madagascar, using approaches that include field and herbarium studies and analytical methods such as biogeography and conservation analysis. It works with Garden leadership and Madagascar program staff to shape the program’s vision, strategic development, delivery, and assessment, and serves as a liaison between Madagascar-based and St. Louis-based teams to support communication, co-design, local program development, and decision making. The Senior Manager initiates and publishes independent research on Malagasy plant taxonomy, systematics, and biogeography, and contributes to research and publications on Malagasy ecosystems. The role maintains research projects involving students, staff, and external collaborators; builds long-term partnerships; identifies funding sources and prepares proposals; contributes to sustainable budget development; and directly manages, coaches, and develops program professionals. The position also writes and reviews grant proposals, journal articles, reports, and publicity materials; participates in scientific meetings and public and professional lectures; serves on scientific panels and committees; and leads training initiatives for young researchers, botanists, and collaborators. The position is based primarily in an office and laboratory in St. Louis, Missouri, with regular travel to overseas offices and frequent local, domestic, and international travel, including at least two trips per year to Madagascar. Work may involve field studies and project visits in remote or rugged regions, difficult terrain, extended hikes or camping, extreme weather, and developing-country settings. Scheduling flexibility is required for evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed to support a team working across international time zones. The position also includes management of program activities and results, adherence to Garden policies and safety practices, and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

At least 5 years of relevant, increasingly responsible experience, with career growth leading to significant management responsibilities, leadership experience, and a record of strategic business planning; nonprofit or learning-organization experience is preferred.
At least 10 years of extensive experience with Madagascar’s biodiversity, including exposure to field-based research and in-situ conservation.
Demonstrated proficiency working in international and multicultural contexts.
A documented scientific record and at least 5 years of experience and publications.
Demonstrated success in grant proposal writing, fundraising, negotiating, and budget management.
Budget development and management skills, including an advanced understanding of the financial operating budget process.
At least 5 years of staff-management experience, including conflict resolution and related management responsibilities.
Ability to communicate fluently in English and French, orally and in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively at all levels and work comfortably with other departments.
Strong presentation and public-speaking skills.
Highest professional and ethical conduct; knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and systems; and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure while demonstrating and fostering professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service.
Scheduling flexibility to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.
Ability to travel frequently locally, domestically, and internationally, including at least two trips per year to Madagascar.
Ability to obtain and maintain a passport and obtain required visas, travel clearances, driving permits, vaccinations, and immunizations for required travel.
Proficient college-level math skills, including calculating percentages and decimals, and ability to understand, analyze, and create budgets.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in observing, analyzing, and resolving issues and allocating resources.
Advanced proficiency with PC applications, including Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook); database-management experience; solid internet research skills; and ability to use email to communicate with Garden staff.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds; use a computer keyboard; and sit for extended periods, potentially up to 50% of the workday.
Ability to walk around the facility frequently and to walk, stand, kneel, or climb as required, including for extended periods.
Physical fitness for project visits and field studies involving multi-week hikes, rides, and camping in difficult terrain.
May be required to work at varying heights and high altitudes, understand field safety requirements, and wear personal protective equipment as needed.
Ability to work in extreme weather conditions and potentially long hours to meet deadlines.
Ability to travel independently for long periods by airplane, train, and other conveyances, domestically and internationally.
Comfort working near the general public and answering questions in a friendly manner.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Malagasy is strongly preferred.
Prior experience working in a nonprofit environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Garden leadership and Madagascar program staff to shape the program’s vision, strategy, and objectives in support of the Plants and People Division and the Garden’s global mission.
Liaise between Madagascar-based and St. Louis-based staff to facilitate communication, co-design programs, and strengthen local program development and decision making.
Contribute to strategic development, delivery, and assessment of program initiatives.
Initiate, conduct, and publish independent research on Malagasy plant taxonomy, systematics, and biogeography, and participate in research and publications on Malagasy ecosystems.
Maintain scientific research projects involving students, staff, and external collaborators.
Develop and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships with universities, botanical research institutions, scientific organizations, and private-sector entities.
Identify funding sources and prepare and submit proposals to support program, department, division, and independent research initiatives.
Participate in developing a sustainable program budget aligned with available resources.
Lead, directly manage, coach, and develop program professionals; oversee scientists and research specialists as assigned, and supervise the Senior Curator and Project Coordinator.
Write, review, and facilitate grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
Participate in scientific meetings and deliver lectures to professional organizations and the general public as appropriate.
Lead and serve on scientific panels and committees as appropriate.
Ensure applicable safety standards are followed, communicate relevant handling and safety protocols, and promptly report accidents, injuries, and near misses.
Follow established Garden policies and procedures, meet attendance guidelines, and foster teamwork and cooperation across the program, department, division, and Garden.
Ensure program initiatives and team work align with Garden quality standards, policies, and procedures.
Appraise, evaluate, and report program activities and results regularly and systematically.
Initiate, conduct, and lead training initiatives for young researchers, botanists, and collaborators.
Travel frequently for work, including at least two trips per year to Madagascar.
Perform other duties as assigned.