Director of Conservation

Blooloop; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico BioPark Society seeks a strategic and collaborative Director of Conservation to lead the next phase of conservation growth and impact at ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The role oversees conservation programmes, strengthens partnerships, and helps integrate conservation priorities into the institution's long-term strategy, operations and culture.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will work with the ABQ BioPark Director and leadership team to advance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in conservation biology, environmental science, ecology, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Approximately eight or more years of conservation leadership and programme management experience.
• Proven ability to build and maintain diverse stakeholder relationships.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, budgets, grants and complex programmes.
• Strong strategic planning, leadership and organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to explain complex conservation issues to diverse audiences.
• Experience in partnership development or grant development is desirable.
• International conservation experience is preferred but not essential.
• Knowledge of IUCN approaches is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for development, implementation and evaluation of conservation programmes at multiple levels.
• Ensure conservation initiatives are evidence-based and focused on measurable outcomes.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with IUCN SSC, government agencies, Indigenous and Tribal communities, NGOs, research institutions and conservation networks.
• Oversee the Center for Species Survival: New Mexico partnership and associated programmes.
• Lead and support multidisciplinary conservation teams, staff, consultants and project personnel.
• Manage conservation budgets, grants and donor-funded activities and programme operations.
• Integrate conservation priorities into institutional planning, animal collections management, sustainability initiatives and operational decisions.
• Identify opportunities for conservation programme development and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with communications and development teams to strengthen conservation awareness, public engagement and fundraising.
• Represent the BioPark and Society at conservation conferences, professional forums and collaborative initiatives.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Budgets & grants

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in conservation biology or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

New Mexico BioPark Society is seeking a strategic and collaborative Director of Conservation to lead the next phase of conservation growth and impact at ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The successful candidate will oversee conservation programmes, strengthen local and international partnerships, and help integrate conservation priorities into the institution's long-term strategy, operations and culture.

Reporting to the Executive Director of New Mexico BioPark Society, the Director of Conservation will work closely with the ABQ BioPark Director and leadership team to advance conservation initiatives across the zoo, aquarium, botanic garden and Tingley Beach.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of conservation programmes at local, regional, national and international levels.
• Ensure conservation initiatives are evidence-based and focused on measurable outcomes, linking species assessments, research, planning and action.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, government agencies, Indigenous and Tribal communities, NGOs, research institutions and conservation networks.
• Oversee the Center for Species Survival: New Mexico partnership and its associated programmes.
• Lead and support multidisciplinary conservation teams, staff, consultants and project personnel.
• Manage conservation budgets, grants, donor-funded activities and programme operations.
• Integrate conservation priorities into institutional planning, animal collections management, sustainability initiatives and operational decisions.
• Identify opportunities for conservation programme development and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with communications and development teams to strengthen conservation awareness, public engagement and fundraising.
• Represent the BioPark and Society at conservation conferences, professional forums and collaborative initiatives.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor's degree in conservation biology, environmental science, ecology, natural resource management or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred but not essential.
• Approximately eight or more years of relevant experience in conservation leadership, programme management, partnerships or applied conservation strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, budgets, grants and complex conservation programmes.
• Strong strategic planning, leadership and organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex conservation issues to different audiences.
• Experience in partnership development, grant development or conservation programme growth.
• Knowledge of species conservation frameworks, including IUCN approaches, is desirable.
• Familiarity with government processes, conservation networks or zoo and aquarium partnerships is advantageous.
• International conservation experience is preferred but not essential.

Skills and competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, sound judgement and strong stakeholder management skills.

They should be comfortable working across scientific, operational and organisational disciplines, with the ability to balance competing priorities and build productive partnerships.