Leadership/Management – is needed to lead, develop, and support a high-performing science team while setting clear priorities, clarifying workplans and expectations, providing feedback, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the team’s work is aligned with the Great Plains Program strategic plan.
Research/Analytical Thinking/Intellectual Curiosity – is needed to ensure the Great Plains Program is guided by rigorous science, strong ecological and social monitoring, adaptive learning, and the ability to synthesize complex scientific information into practical conservation strategies.
Strategic Planning and Implementation – is needed to translate science priorities into actionable strategies, budgets, timelines, and measurable outcomes that support intact grassland protection, improved ecological function, and wildlife restoration across the Great Plains.
Partnership Development and Engagement – is needed to build and maintain trusted relationships with universities, agencies, nonprofits, Native Nations, ranching communities, funders, additional WWF science teams, and private-sector partners, while strengthening the credibility, reach, and durability of WWF’s grassland conservation science.
Detail-Oriented, Results-Oriented Project Management – is needed to manage multiple complex workstreams, staff responsibilities, budgets, consultants, timelines, proposals, reports, and metrics with a high level of accuracy and follow-through. This role requires someone who can track details carefully, anticipate gaps, uphold scientific and operational quality, and ensure that science priorities are delivered on time and in support of broader organizational objectives.
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Master’s degree and minimum 10 years’ experience, in a related field is required. PhD contributes towards experience.
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Knowledge of, and experience working in, the Great Plains ecoregion
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Expert scientific knowledge of the drivers, threats, and opportunities in grassland conservation.
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Scientific leadership on grassland conversion, ecological and social indicators, climate mitigation and biodiversity accounting, and wildlife restoration.
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Deep familiarity of ecological/conservation principles, including proven experience with monitoring the ecological response of restoration and conservation efforts.
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Knowledge of community led conservation principles and understanding of social science that can be applied to measure conservation outcomes.
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Deep familiarity of ecological/conservation principles at ecoregional scale, history, and trends.
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Excellent knowledge of national and regional conservation arena, key players, and policies.
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Ability to think strategically and incorporate input from a variety of stakeholders, collaborators, and fellow staff members.
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Experience managing complex projects, and many projects at once, including managing staff, budgets, workplans, timelines, and tracking metrics.
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Strong fundraising skills, including excellent skills in writing/editing proposals and reports, setting goals and objectives, and developing budgets and timelines.
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Demonstrated success synthesizing and packaging big ideas for individual donors, government grants, foundation, and corporate support.
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Experience supervising staff, including developing work plans, providing feedback and managing performance, and providing leadership to a team.
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Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with a variety of science partners including, universities, non-profits, private entities, government agencies, tribal colleges, and funders.
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Excellent communication skills, both one-on-one and in a group setting.
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Ability to take initiative, make decisions, facilitate and inspire the work of others.
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Experience managing external consultants/contractors.
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Willingness to travel as necessary, which may be up to 5-10%.
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Knowledge and experience working with Native nations in the Northern Great Plains preferred. Cross-cultural experience appreciated.
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Willingness and ability to think outside the box, be innovative, and work with a wide range of conservation practitioners.
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Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
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Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
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Courage Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
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Integrity Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
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Respect Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
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Collaboration Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.