Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all for over 30 years. Through science, policy, and partnerships, CI is helping build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.
POSITION SUMMARY
Conservation International is seeking an inspiring individual to provide executive leadership, vision, and passion to advance the work of Conservation International in Central and South America. The Senior Vice President for the Americas will lead Conservation International’s delivery of conservation impact in Central and South America with a specific focus on delivering CI’s strategy to maximize nature as a climate solution, greatly expand ocean conservation globally, and develop replicable models of sustainability at scale across the geographies. Leading the development of vision, strategy and planning for the Americas, the Senior Vice President leads a team of 200+ staff with an annual budget of $40 million, spanning 10 countries in Central and South America. These country programs include Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Suriname. Reporting to the Executive Vice President of Field Programs, the Senior Vice President is a member of CI’s Leadership Team that is responsible for reviewing the organization’s strategies and delivery and represents the organization internally and externally with donor agencies, governments, and private sector leaders.
The successful candidate will be a strong leader and communicator with proven success in leading multi-disciplinary, dispersed teams and programs for conservation success. They will bring inclusive management skills and an ability to balance driving for results with an ability to engage with teams and individuals. This individual must bring a passion and appreciation for diverse perspectives, talents, and identities and work collaboratively and respectfully at all levels of CI, serving as a role model for CI’s core values.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan, review, and oversee effective and efficient delivery on CI’s strategies, initiatives, and projects in the Americas.
- Provide on-going leadership, organizational management, planning and budgeting for the Americas.
- Lead development of new initiatives, identify and pursue new resources for CI’s strategies and action plans in the Americas, and fundraise from individual, foundations, government, and corporate sources.
- Communicate progress on regional strategies and action plans internally within CI and externally through media, social media, and targeted communications.
- Lead stewardship, cultivation, and growth of the Americas Council.
- Lead and oversee the 200+ staff and $40 million annual budget of the Americas Field Division in compliance with CI policy and management procedures. This includes but is not limited to defining the organizational structure, hiring of strategic positions, requirements and procedures for program oversight, budget preparation and management, fundraising, communications, human resources, and grants and contracts.
- Lead the Americas Field Division engagement with the Board of Directors, CI’s Leadership Team and Global Field Team meetings, and in the annual planning process for CI.
- Develop high impact partnerships with the private sector, governments, academia, and other non-governmental organizations.
- Represent CI with high-level government officials and private sector leaders.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- The position may be based in CI’s offices in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Peru, or Suriname.
- The position may require extensive international travel.
- The position requires the ability to work non-traditional and extended hours to support a global workforce in multiple time zones.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Advanced university degree in conservation and/or development, or related field, or significant equivalent expertise and experience.
- At least 15 years of broad conservation and/or natural resource management leadership, strategy development, and program management experience and track record of success.
- Demonstrated ability to lead high impact conservation projects.
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills are required as demonstrated by success in influencing and communicating with national-level authorities and private sector leaders.
- Ability to transform research and project results into practical decision-making tools and improved practices and policy by governments, private sector, and civil society.
- A proven track record of identifying strategic issues and priorities, developing implementation teams and plans, and serving as the key decision-maker on programmatic, fundraising, and operational issues.
- A proven track record of successful fundraising at the $1 million+ level.
- Excellent ability to work in a variety of cultural and political settings is a must.
- Fluency in English and Spanish or Portuguese.
Preferred
- A doctoral degree in conservation, natural resource management and/or development.
- Fluency in both Spanish and Portuguese.
- Conservation or natural resource management work experience in Central and South America.
See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE
Conservation International Values
We expect that all employees will embrace the values of our organization.
- Passion: We are inspired by nature and cherish the diversity of life in all of its forms.
- Respect: We respect and trust each other, and we embrace our diversity of cultures, talents, and experiences.
- Integrity: We act with integrity and are accountable for our actions.
- Optimism: We are optimistic about the future of life on Earth and are confident that, with our partners, we will achieve unprecedented conservation results.
- Courage: We tirelessly pursue our vision, taking bold action and persevering through challenges.
- Teamwork: We work together, recognizing that openness, collaboration and cooperation are fundamental to achieving a healthy and prosperous world for all.
