Director of Operations, Conservation

American Rivers; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

American Rivers seeks a Director of Operations, Conservation to join its conservation leadership team. This pivotal role involves driving operational success, managing cross-department coordination, and ensuring efficient processes to protect and restore rivers across the nation. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in operations and project management, with a commitment to the organization's core values.

Benefits

Health and Wellness benefits

Financial Security contributions

Four weeks of paid leave

Sabbatical leave every seven years

Paid parental leave

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of operations and/or project management experience.
• Proven success in managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in budget management and driving operational key results.

Responsibilities

• Supervising business operations of regional teams.
• Managing the annual planning process and strategic plan tracking.
• Championing process improvements and efficiency gains.

Skills

Cross-department planning and coordination

Verbal and written communications

Systems creation and implementation

Program and budget planning

Staff management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Intaact

ADP

Slack

Project management software

Job description

Classification: Director II

Department: Conservation

Wage Category: Exempt

Location: Washington, DC Area (Preferred)

About American Rivers

American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remotemountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean,abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, andpartners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers℠.

The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within ourorganization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bringto our work provide perspectives, experiences, and competencies that are critical to oureffectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water forpeople and nature.

JOB SUMMARY:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Operations, Conservationat American Rivers. This person, who will serve on our conservation leadership team, will drive collective processes and procedures to ensure the organization is coordinated efficiently and strategically to have the greatest impact on rivers. Working across the country, this person will understand and be able to drive the adoption of business systems, understand project management, and excel at organizing a large group of individuals and organizations towards accomplishing common big goals. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment. In this pivotal role, the director will work with the executive and senior managers nationwide to shape operational success.

This person will also help drive the operations of the American Rivers Action Fund.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Commitment to American Riverscore values.
• Regional Team Support: Supervising business operations of regional teams (e.g., human resources, recruitment, cross-department coordination)
  
• Cross Departmental Coordination: Providing cross-department support for senior conservation leadership team and working closely with leaders of Finance, Administration, Human Resources, Legal, and the Executive Departments to encourage alignment and integration
• Planning: Managing the annual planning process and strategic plan tracking
  
• Financial & Compliance Management: Managing budget creation and implementation, and working with staff to ensure smart financial administration, including spend down of grants, contract support, lobbying reporting
  
• Processes and Tool Integration: Championing process improvements and efficiency gains, including the development and implementation of procedures and adoption of software solutions to encourage better and more accurate coordination
  
• Action Fund: With colleagues, creating legally sound processes for the American River Action Fund.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires demonstrated, successful experience in the following areas: cross-department planning and coordination, verbal and written communications, systems creation and implementation, program and budget planning and administration, and staff management,
• Minimum of 8 years of operations and/or project management experience (preferably in a nonprofit setting), including budget management
• Proven success in managing multidisciplinary teams and driving operational key results
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools; Intaact, ADP, Slack, and other project management software are required

Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferrable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

LOCATION

HYBRID with access to our Washington, DC headquarters.Other occasional regional and national travel to meetings and training may be required.

COMPENSATION

American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experienceof the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $105-$125,000 annually, depending onexperience and qualifications. We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees, including:

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and lifeinsurance.

• Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3%employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions as employees are 100% vested upon participation.

• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, andsick leave.

At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employee’s well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.

COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do - we Lead with Collaboration andTrust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings), professional development opportunities, a home office stipend and our comprehensive leave policies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).

We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group, fostering open communication and continuous improvement. At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.

American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternateformat or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resourcesdepartment at 202-243-7040 or [e-mail].

Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States. American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.