POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Director will advance the Conservation Finance Network’s effort to accelerate the pace and scale of land and resource conservation, restoration, and stewardship by expanding the use of innovative and effective funding and financing strategies. The Associate Director will bring transaction experience, subject matter expertise, and connections to help coach practitioners through project design and implementation. They will work closely with the Executive Director and team to implement the strategic plan, achieve key impact objectives, and administer and manage CFN programs and operations.
The Associate Director will support a capacity building and technical assistance program with the Department of Defense (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program as well as with the US Forest Service. The Associate Director will also support fundraising and business development, cross-sector trainings and convenings, program and partnership development, CFN governance, and strategic communications.
THE CONSERVATION FINANCE NETWORK
The Conservation Finance Network (CFN) catalyzes collective impact for the field of conservation finance. We work to increase the pace and scale of social equity and ecological resilience solutions through innovative and effective funding and financing strategies. We believe that systems change on social equity and ecological resilience requires collaboration and alignment beyond the bounds of individual mission statements and business models to mobilize and leverage capital.
Since 2012, CFN has increased capacity, confidence, and connection among a growing community of public agencies, investment firms, corporations, foundations, conservation organizations, landowners, and academic institutions. We convene practitioners to develop new tools and address challenges, provide coaching and technical assistance for project implementation, and capture and disseminate actionable information on cutting edge approaches. From empowering and advancing equity-centered projects to democratizing access to capital and environmental markets, we leverage partnerships and connections to help practitioners improve outcomes for climate, land, and water conservation, biodiversity, and human health and equity.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
We understand that each applicant will bring unique skills, knowledge, and experience to this position. Our small but nimble team is open to discussing what each candidate brings to the table and how responsibilities might shift among the team to cater to individual strengths. With that in mind, the primary responsibilities of the Associate Director will include most of the following:
- Coaching and Technical Assistance: Spearhead coaching and technical assistance engagements to help practitioners incorporate conservation funding and financing strategies into their work. Advise projects and partnerships on financial tools and strategies and help to elevate their operational and financial readiness (e.g. the use of financial modeling) in order to undertake more sophisticated and complex land conservation projects.
- Business Planning and Fundraising: Support the CFN business plan and fundraising strategy to generate revenue for network activities. Actively contribute to lead generation. Support relevant proposal development and reporting.
- Partnerships and Business Development: Identify potential partnerships and business opportunities (e.g. new partners and audiences for services and resources) to help CFN strategically grow the delivery and impact of its programs.
- Network Building: Conduct regular strategic outreach with existing and potential partners and stakeholders. Cultivate a pipeline of projects with prospective partners by proactively seeking and developing conservation projects that contribute to CFN’s mission. Evaluate and respond to coaching and technical assistance inquiries to determine if they meet current objectives.
- Governance: Support program governance, including regular communication.
- Program Design: Manage the creation and facilitation of programmatic activities including communication, education, mentorship, and technical assistance.
- Support CFN Core Programs: Support colleagues with strategic objectives for other core programs, including Boot Camp, Roundtable, Conservation Finance Conference, and catalytic coaching.
- Grant Management: Responsible for tracking and reporting on relevant grants and awards.
- Research: Perform research on case studies, financing mechanisms, funding prospects, and other relevant topics.
- Other duties as assigned.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
The following factors will help a candidate to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Desired Experience:
- Recommended: Masters degree related to land and resource conservation strategies, natural capital, and/or impact investing.
- A minimum of 8 years of work experience overseeing a portfolio of conservation partnerships and projects (e.g. utilizing conservation easements, fee title acquisitions, or other conservation tools) or related consulting experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading and managing land and resource conservation transactions, conservation investments or ecosystem market transactions, and/or relevant public policy initiatives.
- Experience in nonprofit management, including governance, financial management, delivering strategic outcomes, business development, fundraising, communications and marketing, curriculum development, facilitation, and grant reporting.
Desired Skills & Attributes
- Passion for helping land and resource conservation practitioners envision and pursue new pathways for funding and financing their efforts.
- An entrepreneurial spirit, comfort with uncertainty, an inclination to prevent or solve problems, and an ability to think strategically and creatively to advance organizational goals.
- An ability to bring humor, curiosity, joy, and humility to further a positive team dynamic and community culture.
- Ability to anticipate and/or ascertain the needs of partners and stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills, and organization skills.
- Commitment to furthering a positive team dynamic and community culture.
- Ability to exercise sound and independent judgement while maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and virtual meeting platforms (e.g. Zoom).
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work occasional evenings and/or weekends.
- Typically 25% travel required, potentially to remote locations.
- Valid driver’s license required.
LOCATION, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
This is a remote position with an expected salary range of $80,000 to $100,000 depending on experience.
Multiplier provides a comprehensive compensation package, including:
- 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee
- 401(k) retirement plan with 3.5% employer match
- 12 paid holidays, including 2 floating holidays
- Vacation accrual of 15 days for years 1-4
- 10 annual sick days
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please send your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to: admin@conservation-finance.org with “The Conservation Finance Network/Associate Director” in the subject line. We respectfully request no follow-up calls or emails.
The Conservation Finance Network is an independent operating project of the nonprofit umbrella organization, Multiplier, a nationally recognized nonprofit with a growing portfolio of innovative initiatives that conserve and protect a sustainable and resilient world (www.multiplier.org)
EEO STATEMENT:
Multiplier and The Conservation Finance Network celebrate diversity and are committed to building teams and partnerships that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Multiplier and The Conservation Finance Network are also committed to providing an environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment. Multiplier and The Conservation Finance Network prohibit discrimination in its governance, programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from public assistance, or for any other non-merit based factor.