Landscape Conservation Program Director

This position is based in the United States and is a fully remote opportunity for an experienced conservation professional residing in one of the designated states, with approximately 10-15% travel.

About the Role

The Landscape Conservation Program Director will provide strategic leadership for a broad portfolio of landscape-scale conservation initiatives across a multi-state region. The role brings together partners, funding, science, policy, and community engagement to advance connected and lasting conservation outcomes. You will shape long-term strategy while translating organizational priorities into measurable programs, investments, and partnerships. The position offers significant influence across public, private, nonprofit, community, and conservation stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine a landscape conservation strategy and long-term vision aligned with organizational priorities.
• Align staff, work plans, partnerships, investments, and resources around measurable conservation objectives.
• Represent the landscape conservation strategy with organizational leadership, board members, funders, government agencies, and external partners.
• Lead regional, landscape-scale, and place-based conservation partnerships, building alignment around shared priorities and collaborative initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership for community engagement and recognition programs that strengthen grassroots participation and local conservation efforts.
• Cultivate relationships that position the organization as a trusted convener and effective driver of landscape-scale conservation impact.
• Direct the strategic deployment of conservation funds and related investments, prioritizing high-value opportunities based on science, GIS, partner expertise, and conservation priorities.
• Promote practical decision-support tools and advance innovative approaches through research and strategic partnerships.
• Manage grants, funding agreements, and conservation incentive programs, including deliverables, reporting, compliance, and performance tracking.
• Supervise and develop staff while establishing clear expectations, performance measures, priorities, and accountability for results.
• Monitor program performance using data, outcomes, and partner feedback, adapting strategies when necessary to improve impact.
• Communicate accomplishments, challenges, priorities, and measurable outcomes to senior leadership, board members, funders, and key stakeholders.
• Build organizational capacity and support sustainable funding strategies for long-term conservation initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, conservation, natural resource management, public administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• 5-7 years of experience managing collaborative conservation, land protection, or landscape-scale conservation programs and initiatives.
• At least 3 years of experience leading staff, teams, programs, or significant cross-functional initiatives, with demonstrated success establishing priorities and driving accountability.
• Strong knowledge of landscape-scale conservation principles, land protection strategies, partnership development, and collaborative conservation involving public, private, nonprofit, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-partner initiatives through influence rather than direct authority, reconcile competing interests, establish shared priorities, and deliver measurable conservation outcomes.
• Experience managing grants, funding agreements, or conservation incentive programs, including deliverables, compliance requirements, and performance reporting.
• Strong leadership presence combined with excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, facilitation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, influence decision-making, and represent an organization effectively with diverse internal and external audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database systems, with the ability to use data, technology, and performance measures to support effective program management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with grant writing, grant administration, regranting, grant reporting, and conservation finance.
• Familiarity with federal, state, philanthropic, and foundation conservation funding sources.
• Experience working with large-scale conservation partnerships, land trusts, government agencies, or regional conservation coalitions.
• Experience engaging rural communities and municipalities, particularly within the Appalachian region.
• Three or more years of experience supervising staff, interns, volunteers, or project teams.
• Proficiency with ESRI GIS applications and related data management and communication tools.
• Familiarity with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and its cooperative management framework.

Location & Travel

• Must reside in one of the following states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine.
• Must be available for approximately 10-15% travel throughout a 14-state service area and beyond, with occasional evening or weekend commitments for meetings, events, and partner engagement.
• Must be able to maintain a reliable home office and communicate effectively through virtual platforms, email, telephone, and in-person meetings.

Benefits

• Competitive salary: Annual salary range of $90,000-$110,000.
• Remote work: Fully remote position with the flexibility to work from an approved home office.
• Healthcare: Health, dental, and vision insurance available.
• Insurance protection: Employer-paid long-term disability and life insurance.
• Retirement savings: 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 7% employer match after one year of service.
• Meaningful impact: Opportunity to lead conservation initiatives with regional and long-term environmental impact.
• Leadership exposure: Work directly with senior leadership, board members, funders, government agencies, conservation organizations, and community partners.
• Professional collaboration: Engage with multidisciplinary partners and stakeholders across a broad geographic region.
• Work flexibility: Remote-first environment supported by virtual communication and collaboration tools.
• Travel opportunities: Periodic travel for conservation meetings, workshops, community events, conferences, and partner engagement.
• Inclusive workplace: A culture focused on collaboration, flexibility, fairness, and diverse perspectives.