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People Architects is excited to recruit for a Director of Conservation for our client. This position is responsible for developing a long-term strategy for conservation science, land protection, stewardship, science communication, and community engagement in alignment with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's mission.

The Director of Conservation provides strategic leadership for the museums Natural Areas program and conservation initiatives across approximately 12,500 acres of protected land. This role is responsible for developing a long-term strategy for conservation science, land protection, stewardship, science communication, and community engagement in alignment with the Museums mission.The position will also develop and lead programs focused on environmental communication, sustainability, and biodiversity in alignment with the Museums and programs strategic plans.

The Director of Conservation will oversee land management and stewardship programs while strengthening the integration of conservation science with the museums research, education, and public programming. The role serves as a prominent conservation leader for the museum, building partnerships across the conservation community and positioning the museum as a hub for scientific collaboration and environmental stewardship in the Great Lakes region.The directors work will align with the environmental research efforts of the museum.

This position supervises the Natural Areas team and works cross-functionally with museum leadership, curators, and educators to ensure conservation work supports the museums broader mission.

KeyResponsibilities:

Strategy&Vision

• Providestrategicleadershipforthemuseumsconservationandnaturalareasprograms.
• Implementandadvanceconservationprioritiesoutlinedinthemuseumsanddepartmentsstrategicplans.
• Integrateconservationwithresearch,education,andpublicengagement.
• Guide the development and execution of long-term stewardship plans across approximately 12,500 acres of museum-managed land.
• Monitor,evaluate,andreportonconservationoutcomesandstewardshipinitiatives.

Fundraising&ExternalRelations

• Workscloselywiththephilanthropyteamtosecuremajorgiftandgrants.
• Represents the museum publicly in friend raising, fundraising, and in governmental and community partnerships.
• Buildsrelationshipswithfoundationsandconservationentities.

NaturalAreasProgramOversight

• LeadandsupporttheNaturalAreasDepartment,includinglandstewardshipandlandmanagementprograms.
• Supervise three direct reports and provide leadership to a broader team of approximately eight staff members.
• Ensureconservationworkalignswithbestpracticesinecologicalmanagement,restoration,andbiodiversityprotection.

Research&Science

• Strengthenconnectionsbetweenthemuseumsconservationworkanditsscientificresearchinitiatives.
• Positionthemuseumsnaturalareasasalivinglaboratoryforresearch,education,andpublicengagement.
• Facilitateopportunitiesforscientists,researchers,andacademicpartnerstoconductresearchonmuseum-managedlands.
• Supportsresearchinareassuchasecologyandbiodiversity.

CommunityEngagement&Partnerships

• Serve as a public-facing conservation leader representing the museum within the regional conservation community.
• Utilizecurrentanddeveloppartnershipswithuniversities,conservationorganizations,governmentagencies,andcommunitystakeholders.
• Promote the museums conservation initiatives through presentations, collaborations, and community outreach.

Cross-DepartmentCollaboration

• Work closely with museum leadership, curators, and educators to integrate conservation work into programming, research, and public engagement.
• Support initiatives that connect conservation science with museum exhibitions, educational programs, and public communication.

ProgramLeadership

• Assessandrecommendstaffing,programdevelopment,andresourceneedsforconservationinitiatives.
• Oversees conservation programs (fieldwork, collections care, biodiversity initiatives, climate science as needed)
• Assurescientificrigorandmeasurableimpact.
• Manageopportunitieswithotherorganizationpartnerships.

Administration

• Overseesbudgets,staffing,andregulatorycompliance.
• Ensuresadherencetobestpracticesandlegalframeworks.

Qualifications

Required

• Anadvanceddegreeinarelatedfieldorequivalentyearsofexperience.
• Significant experience working in conservation, ecological research, or environmental stewardship and familiarity with conservation issues affecting the Great Lakes region.
• Demonstratedleadershipexperiencemanagingteamsandcomplexenvironmentalprograms.
• Fundraisingandstakeholderengagementskills.
• Experienceimplementingstrategicinitiativesorleadingprogramdevelopment.
• Strongcommunicationskillswiththeabilitytotranslatescientificworkforpublicaudiences.
• Experience building partnerships with community organizations, researchers, and conservation stakeholders.