Director of Conservation

Director of Conservation

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Reference #16354

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust was created to protect and conserve our province’s incredible natural legacy. They save outstanding natural areas through land conservation.

They use a strategic, science-driven approach to identify and protect the most threatened, unique, and significant natural areas for nature and for future generations to enjoy.

The Nature Trust stewards over 19,000 acres of land across Nova Scotia, and through their ambitious Twice the Wild campaign, aim to double their protected space for nature by 2025.

On behalf of our client, we are currently recruiting for a Director of Conservation to join their team of dedicated professionals in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Reporting to and working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Conservation is responsible for the development and delivery of the Nature Trust conservation programs, including land securement, stewardship and conservation planning.

The Director of Conservation is part of the organization’s leadership group and manages a team dedicated to advancing their mandate of protecting Nova Scotia’s natural legacy.

Leadership

• Serves as a member of the Leadership Team, contributing to the development and delivery of organizational strategy, policy, planning, programs and external relations
• Ensures the organization remains a leader in conservation and protected areas in Nova Scotia and an integral part of the broader conservation and land trust networks and initiatives

Management

• Oversees all program planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting
• Manages the conservation team
• Develops and implements relevant policies, procedures, systems and controls and ensures integration of best practices including compliance with Canadian land trust standards and practices

Land Conservation Programs

• Provides leadership, direction, oversight and management of all conservation programs and initiatives :
• o Land securement Strategic efforts to secure permanent protection of important natural areas : Landowner outreach, education, engagement and relationship-building;

management of land securement pipeline; securement of conservation lands through acquisition and conservation agreements

• o Land stewardship The long-term care and management of the Nature Trust’s growing network of conservation lands, ensuring their natural values are protected in perpetuity : ecological surveys, baseline documentation and stewardship planning;
• monitoring of conservation lands; land stewardship and habitat restoration; management of conservation issues, violations and enforcement;

community engagement and education; field volunteer programs

o Conservation science and planning The scientific foundation of the Nature Trust’s conservation efforts : strategic conservation planning and prioritization of conservation efforts;

supporting the advancement of partner-led research focused on solving practical conservation challenges facing the Nature Trust

Conservation Leadership and Guidance

• Provides conservation leadership and impact provincially and nationally
• Participates actively in large scale protected areas and nature conservation collaborations and efforts to address key conservation challenges and barriers
• Monitors trends, opportunities and innovations and provides guidance and expertise to the organization

Other

• Collaborates with and supports the philanthropy and engagement staff on communications, marketing, public relations and engagement and fundraising
• Identifies, develops and maintains productive external relationships, networks and formal partnerships to best advance the mission of the Nature Trust

As the ideal candidate, you possess 10+ years of experience in a leadership or senior management role (ideally in the conservation or not-for-profit sector).

Passionate about the mandate of the Nature Trust, you are strategic, ambitious, entrepreneurial, energetic, and results driven.

You are also diplomatic, effective in problem solving and negotiation, and a strong relationship-builder and collaborator.

You have a demonstrated track record in leadership and team management, with exceptional interpersonal, communication, organization, and time management skills.

Broad knowledge of and experience working in conservation and protected areas, land trusts, private land conservation, land management and / or conservation planning will be key to success in the role.

Post-secondary degree in a related field is required (an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered).

Strong ecological / conservation biology background and established contacts and credibility in the conservation sector would be additional assets.

Working Conditions :

The work takes place predominantly in an office environment during regular work hours, however the role requires evening / weekend work, and travel throughout the province.

The Nature Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.