Director of Conservation Partnerships

In this critical time of accelerating climate and biodiversity crises, the National Wildlife Federation envisions improved ecological balance and safe, equitable access to clean water, air, and land to ensure that all wildlife, people, and ecosystems thrive. Guided by this vision and to achieve our mission of uniting All Americans to ensure wildlife and people thrive in a rapidly changing world, in 2024 the National Wildlife Federation adopted a new Strategic Plan aimed at addressing the urgent climate and biodiversity crises.

To continue to meet the moment, the National Wildlife Federation is transforming itself into a durable 21st century organization, recognizing our unique place as the bridge-builders of today and tomorrow’s conservation movement. True to our essence and guided by our Vision, the National Wildlife Federation aims to become a unified force for mission impact, enabling us to secure measurable and durable victories for wildlife, people, and the planet by advancing our strategic plan. The National Wildlife Federation is further defined by a culture of decisive and disciplined leadership, accountability, and authentic relationships, where every team member is a trusted steward of our mission.

We are truly a Federation, with 52 independent state and territorial organizations that govern our national organization, set our policy priorities, and work in communities to create a force-multiplier effect for conservation. The One Federation concept reinforces that as a strong, cohesive and collaborative Federation, we achieve significantly greater results for wildlife and people.

To support our mission, we are seeking to hire up to two Directors of Conservation Partnerships to join our One Federation team.

The Director of Conservation Partnerships (DCP) serves as a dynamic leader and strategist. This 360-degree role cultivates and maintains strong, trusted relationships both within NWF and across its affiliates and external partners, serving as a connector who strengthens communications, alignment and capacity for collaboration toward durable conservation outcomes. The role enables impactful partnerships between our national organization and state and territorial affiliates to achieve our shared vision as a cohesive conservation movement working at local, state, regional and national levels.

The Director of Conservation Partnerships reports to the Associate Vice President of Affiliate Partnerships and works closely with other DCPs and Affiliate Partnerships staff across the country, as well as national advocacy, program and development staff across NWF teams and departments.

Principal Duties

As a primary and mission critical relationship manager for NWF, and active and supportive partner to NWF staff, DCPs cultivate and maintain partnerships with a cohort of NWF affiliate organizations that drive collective Federation goals and outcomes. This position will be responsible for the following functions:

Federation Liaison

• Serve as a bridge builder, ensuring two-way communication between NWF and its affiliates, bringing affiliate needs to national teams while actively integrating internal program teams into affiliate networks.
• Connect affiliate staff directly to NWF subject-matter experts, scientific resources, federal policy teams to facilitate efficient and well-informed conservation advocacy.
• Facilitate affiliate-to-affiliate partnerships. Connect affiliate leadership and staff to other affiliates to enable collaborative conservation initiatives and peer learning opportunities.
• Proactively identify funding opportunities and national-state shared funding options to support collaborative initiatives and build long-term affiliate capacity.
• Act as a force multiplier toward achieving conservation outcomes. Significantly increase effectiveness of affiliates and NWF through guiding and facilitating effective Federation collaboration by convening key stakeholders across NWF departments (e.g., policy, philanthropy, campaigns) and program teams to help co-design initiatives along with affiliates that meet both NWF and affiliate priorities.
• Supporting or leading the convening of affiliates through regional, programmatic or operational opportunities including providing leadership for ad hoc or standing committees and work groups.

Thought Partner and Advisor

• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach (where appropriate) to affiliate leaders, boards, and staff, offering input on executive management to ensure overall organizational health and resilience such as organizational and board development, strategic planning and prioritization, and financial management.
• Help affiliate leaders and boards navigate sector standards, board governance norms, and organizational sustainability by providing best practices and capacity building opportunities.
• Build trust, needs oversight, and alignment by maintaining a regular presence in the state as appropriate to each affiliate, attending virtual and in-person engagements such as staff, committee, and board meetings, public events, and relevant coalition and external partner meetings.
• Facilitate relationships and communication lines between NWF board members and affiliates. Cultivate diverse NWF board recruitment pipelines through relationships with affiliates and partners. Ensure consistent affiliate participation in NWF governance and annual leadership meetings.

Organizational Growth Partner

• Use an entrepreneurial mindset to enhance progress on affiliate priorities. Develop innovative approaches that ensure affiliates’ needs are met while increasing their capacity and prospecting for new opportunities to work jointly on areas of conservation need.
• Work with affiliate and NWF leadership to address specific growth challenges, providing strategic consulting, as well as development and execution support where needed, on campaigns, fundraising, strategic planning, equity and justice integrations, and operational scaling.
• Evaluate affiliate bandwidth before new program initiatives, grant awards, or sub-awards are finalized to ensure operational alignment and mitigation of performance risks.

Required Qualifications

Strong candidates for this position will have demonstrated proficiency in building and maintaining authentic partnerships with a diversity of individuals and organizations. Experience facilitating coalitions or networks is highly prized. Additionally, candidates are required to have:

• Strong communication skills to ensure consistent, clear, and accessible lines of communication to all levels of organizations.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations and a depth of understanding of nonprofit governance, operations, communications, and fundraising principles.
• Demonstrated ability to manage work independently and proactively identify opportunities and solutions.
• Well-developed strategic thinking and prioritization skills and ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously.
• A foundation in environmental, environmental justice, and/or conservation principles and practices through their educational background and/or professional experience in conservation, science, public policy or a related field.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

 These proficiencies are typically consistent with at least ten years of professional experience.

Required Competencies

The individual selected for this role is expected to exemplify the National Wildlife Federation's core values – Work for Mission Impact, Act with Integrity, Collaborate Inclusively, Adapt Creatively, and demonstrate leadership competencies, including:

• Executive-level emotional intelligence to navigate the complexities of multiple business relationships, governance structures, sensitive personnel challenges, and state-level political cultures.
• Adaptability to customize relationship and support models to match the specific size, capacity, and maturity level of individual affiliates.
• Conflict mediation and advocacy skills to serve as a buffer on policy push-pull dynamics while preserving affiliate autonomy and national alignment.
• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized.
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to team-oriented work and interpersonal interactions.
• Actively seeking feedback, direction, and guidance from team members as well as keeping staff informed of decisions that impact them.
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission and values.

Measures of Success

A DCP doesn't simply "support affiliates." They increase the effectiveness of the entire Federation by connecting people, information, expertise, resources, and opportunities. A DCP is successful when:

• They embody the One Federation approach, live NWF’s values and are an ambassador of the entire Federation.
• Their relationships are strong and built on trust and good two-way communication. They sustain productive relationships with affiliate leaders and staff, with affiliates experiencing the position as a responsive partner and valued advisor.
• They successfully connect affiliate leaders and NWF staff with relevant national policy, program, fundraising, communications, and other subject-matter expertise to advance shared priorities.
• They increase meaningful collaboration among affiliates and between affiliates and NWF teams, including the sharing of expertise, resources, strategies, relationships, and successful practices.
• They identify and advance opportunities for affiliates and national teams to collaborate on fundraising, policy, programs, partnerships, communications, and other initiatives that advance shared objectives.
• They contribute to stronger, more resilient, and more influential affiliates, including increased organizational capacity, strategic reach, partnerships, resources, and ability to advance conservation priorities within their states.
• They increase the value and impact of working as a federation by identifying and facilitating opportunities where affiliates and the national organization can achieve greater results together than independently.
• They serve as trusted thought partners and advisors to affiliate and NWF staff, providing informed perspective, facilitating problem-solving, and helping translate strategic priorities into effective action.
• They strengthen collaboration and coordination across national teams by increasing understanding of affiliate priorities, capabilities, needs, and opportunities and reducing organizational silos that can impede effective partnership.
• They contribute to a stronger, more connected Federation characterized by mutual trust, shared purpose, clear roles, effective communication, and alignment around organizational and conservation priorities.

Travel

Periodic travel to affiliates, national and/or regional meetings is expected. Anticipate 5-8 days every month, 30-60 nights per year.

Location and Work Mode

This position is fully remote; however, candidates must reside in or within an adjacent state to the Northeastern or Mid-Atlantic United States, within the geographic region extending from Maine to North Carolina. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff.

Physical requirements:

Cognitive & Intellectual Requirements

• Ability to understand, analyze, and apply complex information, policies, and concepts
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, problem-solve, and make decisions in situations involving ambiguity or competing priorities
• Ability to maintain focus and sustained attention and manage multiple tasks or work-streams
• Ability to listen, interpret, and respond appropriately in discussions with colleagues, leadership, and external stakeholders

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time while working at a computer or attending meetings
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, monitors, telephones, and video conferencing tools
• Ability to communicate and exchange information in person, via telephone, and through electronic or virtual platforms
• Ability to read, review, and produce written and electronic documents, including prolonged use of computer screens
• Ability to move within an office or remote work environment to access files, meetings, or equipment as needed

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily in a remote environment.
• Role may involve extended screen time and participation in virtual meetings.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $85,000-$100,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health: 

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets) half day Fridays, and 11 holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about the National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at https://www,nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at Careers@NWF.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.