Nature/ Habitat/ Land Conservation

Position: Program Director
Organization: Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust
Location: Hybrid position – Office located in Schomberg, Ontario

The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of Ontario’s most important ecological landforms. As your Land Trust, we will help you protect it — forever. Together with caretakers and caring donors, we have protected 68 properties on the Oak Ridges Moraine, totaling 5,367 acres of precious habitat. With your support, we can protect even more... oakridgesmoraine.org

Program Director – Position Summary:

The Program Director has a deep understanding of environmental promotion, communications, fundraising and management related best practices. A proven record of accomplishment of implementing complex, strategic and evidence based environmental programs and outreach initiatives; the Program Director applies relevant learning to the work of the Land Trust. The Program Director is responsible for developing a well-structured plan of action to support programs from start to finish.

The Program Director possesses well-developed project management skills and pays attention to detail and accuracy. They have the ability to build and maintain relationships across the organization and with key stakeholders to enable the success of Land Trust initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Managing overall operation of the organization programs.
• Designing, directing, implementing and disseminating, program objectives to ensure they meet operational strategies.
• Creating and management program budgets.
• Oversees organizational operations and procedures
• Keeps CEO and the Board informed by reviewing and analyzing special reports related to government briefs, Board and conservation partners
• Reviews and approves communications, grant applications and partnership proposals while ensuring that appropriate data has been gathered, analyzed, synthesized and that they are aligned with the Trusts’ strategic plan, practices and values.
• Provide leadership and participate as part of the organization’s management team.
• Collaborate with local organizations in the delivery of programs.
• Develops and effectively communicates content and promotion messages through a variety of mediums including print resources, electronic communication, mass media and social marketing initiatives.
• Acts as a subject matter expert ensuring accuracy of content of all environment and ecology related information materials, reports and correspondence, relevant environmental programs and strategies.
• Generates options with rationale for action and demonstrates an understanding of internal and external dependencies with a focus on strategic implications of issues/actions.
• Develops and implements Land Trust plans and programs such as land securement, stewardship and outreach.
• Participates in the budget planning and audit process with the Chief Executive and Financial Officer.
• Committed to working in tandem with internal and external stakeholders to support short term and long-term needs that enable the success of Land Trust initiatives.
• Remains current on best practices in environmental legislation.
• Actively supports the Land Trust’s culture of land securement promotion within the context of its mission.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum of 10 years progressive experience in land securement, environmental communications or fundraising or project management.
• University or College education in communications, biology, fundraising, land management or business management.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of land securement and environmental issues and experience communicating the importance of land protection
• Exceptional writing skills.
• Ensuring project operations are consistent with regulatory guidelines and internal processes.
• Demonstrated program and project development and evaluation
• Excellent conceptual, analytical and research skills with the ability to efficiently analyze and synthesize complex information.
• Experience working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience with grant writing and the development of funding proposals.
• Strong computer skills with experience in MS Windows, Excel, Word, PowerPoints databases and web-based applications.
• Excellent analytical oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills; ability to work easily and effectively with a wide range of people, build trust and solid relationships, be diplomatic and exhibit sensitivity.
• High attention to detail; ability to work to strict deadlines and under pressure
• Ability to plan and coordinate complex activities, organize multiple tasks and prioritize work.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work with highly sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Valid Ontario driver's license and insurance.

Desirable Qualifications and Abilities:

• Experience working in a conservation organization or Land Trust.
• Experience working in a complex, multi-level environment or organization.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience within the not-for-profit environmental sector.

Salary Range

• $80,000 - $90,000.

To apply, please submit a current resume and cover letter that articulates your relevant knowledge and experience (please send this as one file), why you are interested in this position and what you can bring to our organization in this role.

Please send it to swalmer@oakridgesmoraine.org as soon as possible and not later than Nov. 30th, 2024. Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca. Subject: Program Director (GoodWork)

If you require any accommodation as part of your application or interview, please let us know.