Director, Field Conservation

This is your opportunity to lead a collaborative team driven to create an impact on national and global conservation initiatives The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a **Director, Field Conservation & Science**who will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of field conservation aspects and major initiatives by leading the Conservation & Science branch.

The Director will lead the inclusive planning and expansion of our conservation programs portfolio, including the Wilder Canada Action Plan and the IUCN Centre for Species Survival - Human Dimensions, as well as the review and expansion of our current programs. This role serves as a member of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (WICZ) Leadership Team, where in they will collaborate with the Chief Conservation Officer (CCO) and the other WICZ leadership team to shape organizational goals, ensuring that conservation objectives are integrated across the organization’s work. The Director will manage a talented team of conservation professionals, collaborate with external partners, and ensure that Wilder Institute’s work has both local and global impact. This role will act as the key liaison between the Conservation & Science (C&S) branch and other branches within the WICZ, working to build relationships that lead to impactful conservation work.

**Our Purpose** | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

**Our Core Values** | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

**What you will do**:

- Operate as an integrated member of the organization’s senior leadership team, maintaining and building on the Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo (WICZ) purpose, which includes completing monthly action items and participating in regular organizational events.
- Supervision of staff (both Calgary and remote-based), including supporting their work and their portfolio-specific goals, identifying and removing roadblocks, supporting with needed resources, providing mentorship, helping them to expand their skills and networks, etc.
- Lead with a human-first approach, recruiting, mentoring and managing a high performing, multidisciplinary team with empathy and integrity.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to all C&S staff, and WICZ staff and volunteers on areas related to our applied conservation action and strategic priorities.
- Ensure effective planning and management of the conservation programs and initiatives within the branch by C&S staff
- Set branch performance targets, monitor, interpret and report on goal progress and outcomes to relevant levels of the Wilder Institute team as well as other relevant parties
- Provide recommendations and guidance to executive leadership on conservation and environmental risks, opportunities and trends to inform strategic planning
- Work in collaboration with CCO, Associate Director Conservation & Science Operations, and C&S team on the operational and administrative aspects of partnership development and management
- Establish relationships locally, nationally, and internationally with professional organizations, agencies and institutions with aligned interests and goals to share ideas and to build solid partnerships and alliances
- Uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethics, and international compliance, while translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders, always communicating with empathy and clarity.
- Represent Wilder Institute in external forums promoting the organization’s conservation objectives.
- Encourage cooperative relationships with all departments of the organization, specifically taking a leadership role in strategically increasing internal staff and volunteer awareness of WI work as an AZA institution, IUCN member and global wildlife conservation practitioner
- Work with other branch Directors to ensure productive and collaborative work is undertaken across the organization for all initiatives or programs that are interdepartmental (e.g., Animal Care, Health and Welfare; Development; Communications; Human Resources, etc.).
- Develop business cases and lead internal discussions supporting budgets and new positions in collaboration with the AD C&SO.
- Contribute to quarterly CCO reports and other required reporting, including overseeing the preparation of any materials needed or presentations.
- Other duties as requested

**What you will bring**:

- A master’s degree in Conservation Science, Anthropology or related discipline is required; a doctorate in Conservation Science, Anthropology or related discipline is an asset.
- At least 10 years of experience required in the applied conservation sector, with extensive knowledge of global conservation issues, project management and program monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience in effective staff management and engagement (including remote staff), leadership and communication to a variety of audiences, particularly governments, local communities, donors and the wide