Program Manager

Nature-Conservancy-of-Canada-Conservation-De-La-Nature-Canada; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 83,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is seeking a Program Manager for Alberta to oversee land stewardship across multiple Natural Areas. You will lead conservation actions, manage projects, and collaborate with partners to expand NCC’s conservation portfolio.

Reporting to the Program Director, you will develop plans, secure funding, and guide staff and contractors, while representing NCC in communities and at events.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree and at least 5 years of experience in a related discipline (e.g., conservation biology, restoration ecology, natural resource conservation, forestry, geography, environmental science).
• Working knowledge of Alberta conservation issues and land stewardship activities.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating contractors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee land stewardship across multiple Natural Areas in Alberta.
• Lead and coordinate land management projects and restoration efforts.
• Develop annual work and project plans and manage budgets.
• Prepare reports, grant applications, and funding proposals.
• Represent NCC at events and with external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Team coordination

Education

Undergraduate degree + 5+ years exp in conservation

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

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

Position title: Program Manager - Alberta

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Program Manager 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 Program Manager will oversee land stewardship across multiple Natural Areas throughout Alberta.

Reporting to the Program Director, the Program Manager will be responsible for the delivery of conservation actions and land management across the Program Area. The successful applicant will support landscape and property level planning while overseeing the implementation of multiple projects. Additionally, the successful applicant will collaborate on various projects with the goal of optimizing the delivery of NCC’s conservation land management across an expanding portfolio of lands and projects. The Program Manager will represent NCC at events and with external partners, will play a lead role in large scale restoration projects, will write funding proposals and reports, and will oversee and develop annual work and project plans.

NCC is a collaborative, dynamic and interdisciplinary team environment. The Program Manager will work cooperatively with other NCC staff and departments to accelerate conservation efforts while driving the advancement of multiple projects simultaneously. The successful applicant will be expected to lead and coordinate professional/technical work while also taking a leadership role in the management of stewardship staff and contractors.

Key Responsibilities

Conservation Planning and Reporting

• Ensure conservation actions are consistent with nationally and regionally approved policies and processes, as well as relevant Provincial and/or Federal laws and regulations.
• Contribute to development and implementation of NCC’s Conservation Plans and Strategies
• Ensure consistent and up to date storage of data and documents within NCC’s internal systems such as the Land Information System or spatial databases.Model exemplary land stewardship for NCC’s conservation projects in Alberta through the alignment of conservation actions with NCC’s strategic plan and other guiding documents.
• Identify subregional land management funding needs and potential granting opportunities.
• Facilitate external research on NCC lands.
• Contribute to cross-functional efforts to develop long term delivery plans.
• Prepare reports, applications, and proposals related to grants and funding agreements.
• Support Program Director in researching potential securement projects and provide input to the Land Administration team for securement projects as requested.
• Provide field support as required.

Land Stewardship

• Drive collaborative “on the ground” conservation and restoration efforts with First Nations, work directly with Indigenous lands staff and community members on land stewardship projects and the protection of cultural values.
• Lead the delivery of large-scale restoration and provide support to Conservation Team in the implementation of restoration prescriptions and invasive species management plans.
• Oversee the development and management of contracts.
• Respond to partner and public concerns. Seek solutions to complex issues and implement remedial actions.

Community partnerships and outreach

• Maintain and/or establish positive relationships with First Nations, landowners, agreement holders, community members, governments, municipalities, and NCC’s partners in conservation to advance conservation.
• Work with relevant agencies at the at the Provincial and Local Government scale
• Represent NCC at meetings, workshops and in communities as required.
• Support media and public outreach efforts.
• Represent NCC with donors and at public events.
• Attend meetings with partnership organizations and other conservation groups as related to program area.

Work Planning and Administration

• Develop annual and field season work plans in support of subregional conservation goals.
• Implement, manage, and report on progress against work plans and budgets. Assist Program Director with annual budget planning.
• Coordinate/support hiring of stewardship staff as required.Develop and implement project plans for complex projects.
• Ensure all field staff and contractors are adhering to Health and Safety protocols, completing safety forms and check-ins as required.

Position Requirements

Education and Knowledge

• Undergraduate degree and at least 5 years of experience in a related discipline (e.g., applied conservation biology, restoration ecology, natural resource conservation, forestry, geography, environmental science, etc.) or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Working knowledge of Alberta conservation issues and land stewardship activities.
• Understanding of habitats throughout Alberta landscapes.
• Experience with land management techniques (e.g., invasive species control, recreational use management, etc.)

Experience

• Supervision of staff and coordination of contractors.
• Building and facilitating effective relationships through clear communication.
• Working and collaborating with Indigenous peoples and communities.
• Managing work plans, budgets, and staff.
• Reviewing terms of contracts, leases, licenses, permits.
• Creating management plans and standardised reports.
• Conducting conservation land management including but not limited to access management, invasive species management, ecosystem restoration and other related best management practices.
• Project management experience including developing project charters, working with internal stakeholders, and supporting efficiencies projects
• Writing grant applications, funding proposals, and reports.
• Working with databases and collecting and using spatial data via various platforms.
• Operating vehicles, working in remote locations and navigating rural or remote areas.
• Following a Health and Safety program including protocols for working in remote locations, ensuring field safety for staff and contractors, and using or monitoring emergency communication devices for check-ins.
• Effective communicator: proficient collaborator when working with others in a fast-paced environment. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Established solution-oriented approach; willingness to seek creative strategies when barriers encountered.
• Problem solver: ability to overcome challenges, adapt and maintain resilience when facing adversity.
• Capacity and flexibility; ability to stay focused on meeting project and reporting deadlines while maintaining a positive and energized work environment with changing priorities.
• Accountability: Demonstrated ability to be accountable in a remote or semi-remote virtual work environment and organizing time to manage competing priorities while still meeting deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to travel for multi-day work trips (even up to 1 or 2 weeks) multiple times during the field season and some weekend work.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team with many colleagues in a decentralized work environment.
• Ability and willingness for occasional on-the-ground work including manual labor activities such as fixing fences, installing signage or managing invasive plants.

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 minors, 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] .