Director of Conservation

NM BioPark Society Physical Address: 1320 Iron Ave. SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 Mailing, Legal, Business and Billing Address: 903 10th Street SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 View phone number on click.appcast.io View email address on click.appcast.io The New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS), the non-profit support organization for the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach, located in Albuquerque New Mexico, is seeking a strategic and collaborative conservation leader to guide the next phase of the institution’s conservation growth and impact, including managing the IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival: New Mexico partnership. This role is responsible for providing strategic oversight of the BioPark’s conservation portfolio, strengthening partnerships across local to international scales, and helping embed conservation more deeply into the institution’s long‑term identity, planning, operations, and culture. Position Summary Reporting to the Executive Director of the New Mexico BioPark Society, the Director of Conservation works in close partnership with the ABQ BioPark Director and BioPark Leadership Team to advance conservation priorities across the institution. The position maintains a strong collaborative and dotted‑line working relationship with BioPark leadership to ensure alignment between conservation strategy, institutional priorities, collections planning, visitor experience, and operational decision‑making. The NMBPS Director of Conservation will lead the strategic direction of the BioPark’s conservation program while stewarding key partnerships across government, community, scientific, zoo and aquarium, and international conservation networks. The role will work closely with BioPark and Society leadership to strengthen alignment between institutional priorities, operational sustainability initiatives, collections planning, conservation programming, communications, and community impact. This position is designed for a systems‑oriented conservation leader who is capable of navigating complex institutional environments, building trusted relationships, supporting multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining strategic focus across a broad range of opportunities and competing priorities. The Director does not need to be the most technically specialized expert in every room, but must be scientifically credible, strategically thoughtful, politically astute, and highly collaborative. The Director of Conservation provides oversight , strategic leadership, supervision, and support to the BioPark’s conservation team and associated conservation initiatives. This includes management oversight of the Center for Species Survival: New Mexico team and associated staff, the Conservation Policy and Strategy Specialist, relevant contractors, consultants, and project personnel engaged in the delivery of conservation priorities. The Director is responsible for fostering a collaborative, high‑performing team culture, ensuring alignment across conservation activities, and supporting the effective delivery of conservation outcomes. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the BioPark’s conservation program across local, regional, national, and international scales Ensure the Biopark’s conservation programs continue to be evidence‑based and outcome focused, connecting strategy across species assessments, planning, research and action. Steward and strengthen key partnerships with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, government agencies, Indigenous and Tribal partners, NGOs, research institutions, and conservation networks. Support alignment between conservation priorities, institutional strategic planning, collections planning, and operational decision‑making across the BioPark and NMBPS Society. Guide and support a multidisciplinary conservation team, fostering a collaborative, mission‑driven, and strategically focused culture. Provide responsible financial and operational stewardship of conservation programs, including oversight of budgets, grants and donor‑funded activities, and support effective planning and delivery of field and program operations. Help identify and prioritize conservation opportunities that align with the BioPark’s mission, expertise, partnerships, and capacity. Represent the BioPark and Society in strategic conservation forums, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives. Support the continued development, strategic positioning, activities and outcomes of the Center for Species Survival: New Mexico and associated conservation partnerships. Work collaboratively with communications and development teams to strengthen conservation storytelling, donor engagement, institutional visibility, and public understanding of impact. Support partnership cultivation, and strategic fundraising initiatives aligned with conservation priorities. Provide strategic advice and thought partnership to institutional leadership on emerging conservation opportunities, risks, and partnerships. Leadership Profile The ideal candidate will be a thoughtful and relationship‑oriented leader with demonstrated experience navigating complex conservation environments and partnerships. They will bring strong strategic judgment, humility, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work effectively across different disciplines, cultures, and stakeholder groups. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating at the intersection of science, strategy, institutional leadership, partnership management, and public engagement. They will be capable of maintaining strategic focus while balancing competing priorities and perspectives. Preferred Qualifications and Experience Bachelor’s degree in conservation biology, environmental science, ecology, natural resource management, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred but not essential. Approximately eight or more years of relevant experience in conservation leadership, program management, partnerships, or applied conservation strategy. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, with international experience preferred but not essential. Understanding of species conservation frameworks, including experience in IUCN‑related approaches, preferred but not essential. Experience managing or supporting multidisciplinary teams, budgets, grants, and complex conservation programs or projects. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience communicating complex conservation issues to varied audiences. Experience with strategic planning, partnership development, grant development, or conservation program growth. Familiarity with conservation networks, governmental processes, or zoo and aquarium conservation partnerships is highly desirable. Core Competencies Strategic thinking and systems leadership Partnership development and stakeholder diplomacy Collaborative leadership and team enablement Critical thinking and sound judgment Institutional navigation and political awareness Communication and storytelling Adaptability and resilience Commitment to mission‑driven conservation impact Working Arrangements This role may require regional, national, and international travel and occasional participation in meetings, conferences, field activities, or events outside standard working hours. Competitive salary depending on experience, starting at $85,000. Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution and match. Short‑ and long‑term disability and life insurance covered by New Mexico BioPark Society. Paid time off accrual of up to 120 hours during the first three years and 10 paid holidays. About the Opportunity This is a rare opportunity to help steward and evolve one of North America’s most respected integrated zoo‑based conservation programs. The BioPark’s conservation work spans local to global scales and is distinguished by its collaborative approach, strategic focus, and trusted relationships within the international species conservation community. The Director of Conservation will play a key role in helping shape the next chapter of this work through leadership transition, institutional growth, and long‑term strategic development. #J-18808-Ljbffr BioPark Society