Vice President, Biodiversity Science

2 weeks ago

Santa Barbara, United States Conservation International Full time
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based preferably in Arlington-VA, or Seattle-WA. Also open to Santa Barbara-CA (remote) and offices in the Americas: Bolivia, Brazil (remote), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Suriname, or Mexico

Conservation International’s Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science is a highly motivated team that leverages science to accelerate global conservation action. Our near-term goals by 2030 are to increase the impact of our science to help stabilize our climate, double ocean protection and expand planet-positive economies. Under new leadership, the Center is shaping its strategy to match CI’s ambitious targets and to deliver actionable science that supports field programs and partners around the globe.

The Vice President of Biodiversity Science will lead Conservation International’s (CI) efforts to integrate cutting-edge biodiversity science into global policy, finance, and conservation strategies. Reporting to the Moore Center for Science’s leader, the Vice President will oversee a dynamic team addressing critical biodiversity challenges across themes such as policy and regulatory integration, nature markets and finance, biodiversity co-benefits of nature-based solutions (NBS), and developing actionable strategies for biodiversity monitoring and evaluation.

This role is responsible for setting strategic vision, driving research, developing actionable insights, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure biodiversity science informs CI’s mission and global impact. The Vice President will also foster partnerships, secure funding, and deliver science-based solutions that align biodiversity conservation with global goals for climate, nature, and sustainable development.

The Vice President is in continuous contact with a broad array of senior-level internal and external stakeholders critical to the program’s success and reputation. They will effectively leverage partners and alliances to secure major funding and expand CI’s reach and scale of impact for a portfolio of science programs. They will lead the delivery of high-impact scientific outputs including through peer-reviewed publications in world-class journals.  This includes synthesizing the Moore Center for Science’s major scientific breakthroughs to generate key and persuasive messages for various stakeholders that effectively engage scientists in cross-cutting teams for division-wide initiatives.

The Vice President is fully accountable for managing a program with considerable diversity and complexity and has overall responsibility for motivating teammates to meet program objectives . They have maximum independence in performing job duties, and decisions have a visible impact on CI’s resources and reputation.

Responsibilities

  • Champion adaptive management and lead teams to deliver highly visible, high-impact technical projects and/or partnerships within CI and external organizations.
  • Lead and align biodiversity research with CI’s Science Agenda and institutional priorities.  
  • Lead strategic planning efforts and directly contribute to the overall Science Division strategic plan including creating 5-to-10-year outcomes, annual work plans, and other strategy documents.
  • Provide leadership and technical expertise in the implementation of CI’s Science division agenda, including engaging scientists in cross-cutting teams for division and/or CI-wide initiatives.
  • Provide leadership and programmatic decision-making in identifying and developing new innovative projects and programs.  
  • Lead comprehensive fundraising initiatives, including project proposals and strategic efforts to identify , cultivate, and secure new funding sources, with a target of raising $2-3 million annually to support team and organizational goals.
  • Actively cultivate and engage influential institutional partners. Routinely represent CI at external meetings with partners, donors, foundations, and government officials.
  • Publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 
  • Develop technical materials and briefings to advise executive leaderships, key external stakeholders, and others on highly complex matters with a global impact.
  • Represent CI in global forums, promoting the integration of biodiversity science into policy, finance, and conservation solutions.
  • Other related duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

Lead the strategic development of biodiversity science initiatives across four key themes:

  • Nature & Biodiversity Policy:  Collaborate with CI’s country programs and policy teams to strengthen policy frameworks such as the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
  • Nature & Biodiversity Finance/Markets: Advance research on mechanisms to bridge the biodiversity finance gap, including biodiversity credits and science-driven nature market solutions.
  • Biodiversity Co-benefits of NBS: Identify pathways that maximize benefits for carbon, biodiversity, and people while aligning with global biodiversity frameworks.
  • Nature & Biodiversity Monitoring:  Develop clear and actionable strategies for nature and biodiversity monitoring and support their implementation.

Develop And Manage Biodiversity Science Program

  • Oversee the implementation of research programs and projects, ensuring alignment with CI’s Science Agenda and institutional goals.
  • Oversee the development of evidence-based tools and resources to guide biodiversity monitoring, evaluation, and decision-making across CI’s projects and partnerships.
  • Support CI teams in integrating biodiversity science into climate, terrestrial, and oceans initiatives.
  • Manage a team of 10+ biodiversity scientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and impact.
  • Mentor and develop team members to advance their professional growth and contributions to CI’s mission.
  • Cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration within the Science Division and across CI’s regional and global teams.

People And Resource Management Responsibilities

  • Manage a large or highly-visible program.
  • Fully accountable for the program’s budget and human resources.  
  • Effectively manage, engage, and motivate direct reports. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Work is typically performed in an office environment.
  • Frequent international travel of over 25%, often to remote locations .
  • This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

Qualifications

 Required

  • Ph.D. in conservation, environmental, or ecological science or a related field.
  • 15 years or more of broad conservation science or research and other relevant experience, including demonstrated ability to function as an agent of change, strategy development, and program management.
  • Demonstrated (7+ years) experience in biodiversity policy, finance, or conservation markets.
  • 5 or more years of direct supervisory experience and leading cross-organizational teams.
  • Excellent track record in developing, directing, and managing scientific research projects, including mobilizing, and investing resources strategically.
  • Proven ability to fundraise and network, develop and maintain partnerships across a range of stakeholders.
  • Excellent scientific publication record, showing scientific leadership in multiple areas relevant to conservation. 
  • Superb communication skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure without compromising scientific standards and high-quality results.
  • Strong capability to motivate and inspire team members, including setting appropriate performance goals and for career development.

Preferred

  • Expertise in biodiversity finance and markets, including biodiversity credits and nature-positive claims.
  • Experience developing biodiversity monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
  • Familiarity with biodiversity co-benefits of nature-based solutions.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and integrate science into actionable solutions.
  • Demonstrated experience securing funds from public and private sources for research and implementation of biodiversity science and nature-positive related programs and projects.
  • Must be resourceful and able to strategically work both independently and through leading and managing teams of researchers from diverse academic disciplines.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

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