Senior Manager, Madagascar Program

Missouri Botanical Garden•St. Louis, MO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Madagascar Program provides leadership for the Madagascar program, guiding the definition, development, and implementation of its scientific, conservation, and restoration strategy and related business plans. In collaboration with Garden leadership and program staff, the position helps shape the program’s vision and strategic development, deliver and assess initiatives, and align work with the Plants and People Division and the Garden’s global mission of plant science, conservation, and sustainability. The role serves as a liaison between Madagascar-based and St. Louis-based staff, promoting effective communication, collaborative program design, and increased local development and decision-making. The position develops and publishes significant independent research on Malagasy plant diversity, including taxonomy, systematics, and biogeography, and participates in research and publications on Malagasy ecosystems. Research may include field and herbarium studies and analytical approaches such as biogeography and conservation analysis. The Senior Manager maintains projects involving students, staff, and external collaborators; builds partnerships; secures funding; contributes to sustainable program budgeting; and leads, manages, coaches, and develops the program team. The role also prepares and reviews proposals, articles, reports, and publicity materials; participates in scientific meetings and public and professional lectures; serves on scientific panels and committees; and leads training for early-career researchers, botanists, and collaborators. The position is based primarily in an office and laboratory environment in St. Louis, Missouri, with frequent local, domestic, and international travel, including at least two trips per year to Madagascar. Overseas assignments may involve developing countries and remote, rugged regions. Work may include outdoor field studies in extreme weather and difficult terrain, as well as extended travel and long hours when needed. Scheduling flexibility is required to support staff across international time zones, including evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.

Requirements

At least five years of relevant, increasingly responsible experience, including significant management responsibilities, leadership experience, and a record of strategic business planning; preferably in a nonprofit learning organization.
More than 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, including at least five years of experience and a publication record.
Demonstrated success in grant proposal writing, fundraising, negotiating, and managing budgets.
Budget development and management skills and an advanced understanding of financial operating budget processes.
At least five years of staff management experience, including conflict resolution and related management responsibilities.
Ability to communicate effectively at all levels and work with other departments.
Strong presentation and public-speaking skills.
High professional and ethical standards; understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and systems; and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to manage competing priorities, work under pressure, and demonstrate and foster professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service.
Scheduling flexibility to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed, including to support teams across international time zones.
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.
MS in Botany, Biology, or a related field.
Fluent oral and written English and French.
Proficiency in college-level math, including calculations and understanding, analyzing, and creating 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 and support 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 facilities frequently; walk, stand, kneel, or climb as required; and travel independently for long periods by airplane, train, and other conveyances.
Physical fitness for project visits and field studies involving multi-week hikes, rides, and camping in difficult terrain.
Ability to work at varying heights and high altitudes, understand field safety requirements, use personal protective equipment as needed, and work in extreme weather conditions.
Ability to work long hours when required to meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Malagasy.
Prior experience working in a nonprofit environment.

Responsibilities

Help craft the vision, strategic development, and delivery of Madagascar program objectives in support of the Plants and People Division and the Garden’s mission.
Serve as a liaison between Madagascar-based and St. Louis-based staff, facilitating communication, co-design of programs, and local program development and decision-making.
Contribute to the 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.
Initiate and sustain long-term 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 the program team.
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.
Lead and serve on scientific panels and committees as appropriate.
Follow applicable safety standards, communicate relevant safety and object-handling protocols, and promptly report accidents, injuries, and near misses.
Meet attendance guidelines and follow established policies and procedures.
Promote teamwork and cooperation throughout the program, department, division, and Garden.
Ensure program initiatives and team work align with Garden quality standards, policies, and procedures.
Regularly appraise, evaluate, and report program activities and results.
Initiate, conduct, and lead training for young researchers, botanists, and collaborators.
Perform other duties as assigned.