Director, Nature Positive Partnerships

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Conservation International

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Arlington, VA, United States

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Director, Nature Positive Partnerships

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Arlington, VA or Seattle, WA-United States

Conservation International works with the private sector to transform the way the world does business, helping companies take bold steps toward sustainability that benefit people, the planet, and their bottom lines.

The Director of Nature Positive Corporate Partnerships will provide administrative, research, communications, and project support for select corporate grant portfolios as part of CI’s Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters. This position will play an active role in supporting CI’s engagement with the private sector including our work with companies on nature-positive and sustainable sourcing commitments and designing and overseeing investment portfolios that support conservation, sustainable production, and restoration in globally important geographies.

The Director will lead engagement with select corporate partners, develop proposals and concept notes, coordinate with other CI teams on science and field implementation, and manage a portfolio of investments in partnership with CI field programs and partner organizations. The Director will also provide technical and programmatic support and oversight for several small or larger, more complex projects. Manages all aspects of the project life cycle including project planning, work plans, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on deliverables and project status. Ensure compliance with project standards, donor requirements, and project alignment with institutional priorities. Advice on adaptive management strategies and capacity-building needs to ensure project success. Represent CI as a key technical resource and build alliances/engage key external stakeholders including government and NGO officials, donors, and others critical to project success.

Manage and monitor project budgets and write donor reports as required. Collaborate on and lead efforts to secure project funding, expand project pipeline and manage funding relationships with key partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage relationship with major corporate partner: Act as day-to-day point person for corporate partner on behalf of CI. Develop concept notes and proposals with project teams, and communicate progress on portfolio to the donor.
  • Manage and monitor project budgets, work with implementing partners and CI field programs to write and submit donor reports for projects
  • Support internal and external engagements by scheduling meetings, coordinating events and working groups, ensuring participant/contact lists are up to date, managing processes for responding to inquiries, administering webinars and virtual meetings, assisting in the development of meeting materials, and recording meeting minutes/notes.
  • Develop program communications, including drafting memos and presentations, maintaining relevant websites and FAQs, and undertaking related communication efforts.
  • Conduct research and analysis and prepare reports, presentations, and other communications materials in support of our partnerships within the retail, consumer goods, and tech sectors, including companies and NGOs.
  • Maintain project files and related databases, including managing Teams platforms and Sharepoint sites for the program.
  • Coordinate monitoring and reporting, including supporting the collection and analysis of data, across the portfolios and compiling results for input into donor reports.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

  • Does not have direct supervisory authority but provides feedback on team member and/or contract/partner staff and support personnel performance.
  • Manage project budget but decisions that bind or commit CI are approved by immediate supervisor.
  • Private funds, monitor results and recommend follow-up action. Review for compliance with donor agreements.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Frequent travel to the project site and other office locations.
  • Ability to work extended work hours to meet project deadlines.
  • Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor’s Degree and 7 or more years of related experience.
  • Direct project management experience, preferably in the conservation, NGO, advocacy, or related arena.
  • Excellent technical and analytical skills.
  • Excellent organization and time management skills.
  • Team player and able to work effectively with diverse work groups in a multicultural environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • A record of success in influencing and partnering with key stakeholders and raising funds.
  • Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, set priorities, and deliver quality results.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.

Preferred

  • Advanced degree
  • Experience working with the private sector on sustainability and conservation initiatives.
  • Knowledge of corporate sustainability issues.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.