Manager, Natural Areas

Nature Conservancy; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 83,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is seeking a Manager, Natural Areas to lead conservation programs in southern Alberta, focusing on the Foothills Parkland. Based in the Calgary area, you will plan stewardship activities on NCC lands, manage contracts, and build partnerships with communities and external partners.

Travel up to 50% within Alberta is required; you will report to the Program Director – Natural Areas and work with a regional team in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• University degree and at least 5 years professional experience in landscape ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or related field.
• Superior knowledge of Alberta’s landscapes, communities, and conservation issues.
• Strong conflict resolution and relationship management skills; able to handle high-pressure situations.
• Experience in forestry and/or rangeland and resource management is an asset.
• Ability to travel and work independently or with a team.

Responsibilities

• Plan, budget, and implement stewardship activities for NCC properties in line with policies.
• Manage, review, and interpret legal agreements and contracts.
• Build strong partnerships with local communities and external partners.
• Deliver stewardship programs and assist with budget and grant reporting.
• Mentor junior staff or volunteers in stewardship activities.
• Assist with land securement projects within the Natural Area.
• Support outreach activities planned within the Natural Area.

Skills

Landscape ecology

Conservation biology

Natural resource management

Budgeting

Partnership building

Project management

Leadership / mentoring

Public speaking

Conflict resolution

Communication

Proposal writing

Education

University degree in related field

Tools

GIS software

MS Office Suite

Database knowledge

Job description

Salary Range: $82,772.00 To $93,099.00 Annually

Position title: Manager, Natural Areas

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Manager, Natural Area to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 20 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With office locations in all ten provinces across Canada, NCC delivers results you can walk on

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Position Summary

The Natural Area Manager – Bow is responsible for the delivery of conservation programs in southern Alberta in accordance with NCC’s policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. The primary area of focus for this position is within the Foothills Parkland subregion of Alberta. The Natural Area Manager will plan and implement stewardship activities on conservation easement and fee simple properties, assist with land securement within their Natural Area, conduct outreach activities, and build strong partnerships with local communities and external partners. The Natural Area Manager will report to the Program Director – Natural Areas and will work closely with other conservation staff, and the rest of the regional team in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

This position is based out of the Calgary area as it is focused on conducting on the ground fieldwork in the Foothills Parkland. The position will work at NCC sites as well as their home office. Regional field work requirements of this position are up to 50%, including occasional travel throughout Alberta.

Key Responsibilities:

• Planning, budgeting, and implementing stewardship activities (i.e., annual monitoring, grant program delivery, grazing agreements, resource management) for conservation easement and fee-simple properties in accordance with NCC's policies, procedures, standards and guidelines;
• Manage, review, and interpret legal agreements and contracts;
• Building strong partnerships with local communities and external partners;
• Stewardship program delivery and assisting with budget and grant reporting and administration.
• Working and mentoring junior staff or volunteers to assist with stewardship activities;
• Assisting with new land securement projects within the Natural Area; and
• Assisting with outreach activities planned within the Natural Area.

Position Requirements:

• University degree and at least 5 years professional experience in landscape ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or related field;
• A superior working knowledge of Alberta’s landscapes, communities, and conservation issues;
• Strong conflict resolution and relationship management skills, with a proven ability to handle difficult or high-pressure situations;
• Proven ability to manage strict reporting cycles and project timelines;
• Experience in forestry and/or rangeland and resource management (asset);
• Knowledge and understanding of the rural/ranching culture;
• Strategic thinking and planning, coupled with experience in business development;
• Leadership skills, in particular the ability to coach and mentor junior colleagues;
• The ability to build and support effective partnerships both within and outside NCC to achieve the organization’s goals;
• Project management skills, including excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills, and attention to details and timelines;
• Strong organization, communication, and presentation skills, including demonstrated experience in making public presentations;
• Comfortable working in a team setting and capable of easily communicating with a wide range of people from the public and private sectors;
• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples, rural landowners, and agricultural producers;
• Flexibility, reliability, self-motivation, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff and volunteers;
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite; some knowledge of database and GIS software is beneficial;
• Demonstrated ability to write successful proposals, business correspondence, and donor acknowledgments;
• Ability to manage highly confidential material;
• Willingness and ability to travel and be available for consultation;
• Committed to the mission and values of NCC.

Application Deadline

October 28, 2026 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at [e-mail] to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at [e-mail] .