Senior Program Manager, Wildlife Funds

Organizational Background

Wildlife Conservation Network is a rapidly growing leader in wildlife conservation. WCN uses its collaborative, entrepreneurial, innovative, and philanthropically generous approach to wildlife conservation to reverse crises facing threatened species. In support of WCN’s mission to protect endangered wildlife by supporting conservationists who ensure people and wildlife coexist and thrive, WCN gives conservation leaders access to donors and a range of resources and tools they need to be successful. WCN has three main conservation program areas:

1. Partner Network: WCN finds entrepreneurial organizations and invites them to receive in-depth, ongoing support through our Network.
2. Wildlife Funds: WCN’s portfolio of Wildlife Funds offers flexible grants to projects in order to protect a threatened species across its entire habitat.
3. Rising Wildlife Leaders: WCN helps local conservationists grow and thrive so that they have the support they need to protect wildlife – through capacity building, leadership training, networking, and more.

About the Role

WCN’s dedicated and diverse team values the people and relationships behind conservation as much as the science and strategy to save wildlife. We are looking for a highly organized, experienced candidate who will provide leadership and support to WCN’s Wildlife Funds team members, grant management and administrative services, project coordination, and strategic thinking for growth within our Wildlife Funds.

Key Responsibilities

Management and Program Coordination

• Support the Chief Conservation Program Officer to run a high-functioning Wildlife Funds team, including managing several contracted and internationally-based Wildlife Fund team members to set goals and support performance;
• Act as a thought leader for strategic growth of the Wildlife Funds, in terms of programs and funding, by working closely with the Chief Program Officer and the Wildlife Fund team members, including the synthesis of data, to identify trends and opportunities;
• Lead streamlining and improved cohesion efforts across all Wildlife Funds’ processes, as well as develop and support internal systems for enhanced workflow;
• Work with the Chief Program Officer and other team members on assessing and developing new initiatives and programs;
• Facilitate and foster knowledge sharing and collaboration between all Wildlife Fund Directors.

Grantmaking Oversight

• Oversee the management of all Wildlife Fund’s granting processes, working closely with WCN’s Finance Department to improve processes, ensure compliance and efficient workflow;
• Serve as grant manager for two Wildlife Funds;
• Manage and coordinate cross-departmental efforts between Wildlife Funds and other WCN teams;

Support with Fundraising and Marketing

• Provide coordination between the Wildlife Funds and WCN’s Donor Engagement and Marketing teams to support activities that ultimately help resource the Wildlife Funds, including forecasting, messaging, identifying program updates, and developing collateral.
• Support the Wildlife Funds team’s involvement at WCN events, such as WCN Expo.
• As with all WCN staff, participate in fundraising efforts across WCN, including direct engagement with supporters, contribute to institutional fundraising efforts, and compile and deliver information and stories that inspire giving.

Experience and Skills

• US Citizen or Authorized to work in the US, fluent in English;
• Ability to work effectively in a globally distributed team, accommodating diverse time zones (especially Africa) and adjusting workflows to support collaboration;
• Significant understanding of the international conservation sector and how conservation NGOs function, preference for field-based conservation experience;
• Experience with international grantmaking processes and strong understanding of due diligence and compliance aspects;
• Highly organized, keen attention to detail, and strong analytical / problem-solving skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across different cultures, with solid customer-service professionalism;
• Bachelor’s degree or higher, and/or a minimum of 7 years of project management experience in the conservation sector or related field;
• Ability to work in databases such as Salesforce, Airtable, and Google Suite;
• Aptitude to work independently and in a collaborative, team-oriented culture, with flexibility to work with shifting priorities and dynamic needs;
• Mission-driven and deeply committed to WCN’s conservation efforts with strong natural alignment to WCN’s Core Values and integrity beyond reproach.