Conservation Programs - Special Projects Lead

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Conservation Programs - Special Projects Lead based in the United States.

This is a strategic, part-time leadership opportunity supporting conservation programs with high-priority initiatives and organizational projects. You will work closely with senior conservation leaders to turn strategic priorities into coordinated, measurable action. The role combines project management, executive support, cross-functional coordination, stakeholder engagement, and operational improvement. You’ll help advance initiatives focused on wildfire resilience, watershed and land restoration, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation. Your work will also contribute to stronger systems for measuring and communicating conservation impact to internal and external audiences. The position offers broad exposure to public agencies, nonprofit partners, funders, corporate stakeholders, and community organizations. This is a fully remote role for candidates located in the lower 48 United States, with occasional domestic travel of up to 10% per year.

Accountabilities:

• Partner with the Chief Conservation Officer and conservation leadership team to identify, prioritize, and advance high-impact special projects and strategic initiatives.
• Lead complex projects from concept through completion, establishing clear objectives, timelines, ownership, milestones, and accountability for successful delivery.
• Develop and maintain systems that strengthen communication, coordination, accountability, decision-making, and organizational effectiveness across conservation programs.
• Facilitate leadership and project planning meetings by developing agendas, documenting decisions and action items, tracking progress, and identifying risks or bottlenecks early.
• Prepare high-quality briefing materials, presentations, agendas, talking points, and other communications for internal leadership meetings, board interactions, partner engagements, and external events.
• Develop processes and measurement systems that capture qualitative and quantitative conservation outcomes and make program impact clear to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with advancement and program teams to cultivate corporate relationships, develop partnership concepts and proposals, and secure financial contributions aligned with business sustainability goals and measurable conservation outcomes.
• Represent conservation leadership in selected meetings and partnerships while building productive relationships with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Support strategic planning, annual budgeting, team retreats, and other organizational planning and priority-setting activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen operational systems, and increase the effectiveness and scalability of conservation programs.
• Help ensure cross-functional initiatives remain aligned with strategic priorities, organizational goals, timelines, and expected outcomes.

Requirements:

• Genuine commitment to conservation, public lands, environmental stewardship, and mission-driven work.
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Business, Natural Resources, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may also be considered.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit leadership, conservation programs, strategy, operations, project management, or a related area.
• Professional experience in conservation, forestry, land management, watershed restoration, wildfire resilience, outdoor recreation, or a closely related field.
• Experience working with federal or state agencies, particularly in collaborative and partnership-oriented environments.
• Demonstrated success leading complex special projects and cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution.
• Strong understanding of organizational strategy, operational systems, performance management, and project delivery within a mission-driven environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations, plans, presentations, and executive-level materials.
• Strong project management, organization, prioritization, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across teams, functions, organizations, and external stakeholder groups.
• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising, grants management, donor reporting, corporate partnerships, or public-private partnerships is preferred.
• Experience supporting distributed teams, organizational change, process improvement, or operational transformation is valuable.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to represent conservation leadership professionally with diverse partners.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while maintaining reliable communication, follow-through, and accountability.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically on an occasional basis, estimated at up to 10% per year .
• Reliable internet access and a dedicated workspace suitable for remote work are required.

Benefits:

• Competitive starting salary of $90,000–$101,250 , with opportunities for salary growth based on performance outcomes and annual reviews.
• Flexible part-time position of no more than 30 hours per week .
• Fully remote work-from-home arrangement available throughout the lower 48 continental United States.
• Medical and dental insurance with 75% of premiums paid by the organization for employees and dependents.
• Vision insurance with 50% of premiums paid for employees and dependents.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions of approximately $1,878–$3,750 per year , depending on coverage type.
• Healthcare and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one year of service .
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
• Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options.
• Discounted whole life insurance.
• 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays to start, with annual leave accrual increasing with tenure.
• Family and medical leave of up to 16 weeks , including up to four weeks paid.
• Training and development programs.
• Professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year .
• Opportunity to contribute to a meaningful national conservation mission and work in or travel to exceptional natural environments.
• Opportunity to collaborate with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, funders, communities, and other conservation partners across the United States.

How Jobgether works:

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.