Rising Wildlife Leaders Programs Lead

Wildlife Conservation Network; Mission, Northern (KS, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Chiropractic and acupuncture

Life insurance and AD&D

Health FSA and dependent care

Employer retirement match (6%)

Paid holidays and vacation

Employee discount program

Job summary

Wildlife Conservation Network is seeking a Rising Wildlife Leaders Manager to run the scholarships, internships, and EWCL programs, coordinating cohorts, alumni, and donors within the Conservation Programs team.

You will oversee awards, budgets, and reporting, while delivering trainings and convenings, both in-person and virtual, to support the next generation of conservation leaders. The role requires travel and strong program-management skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of program management experience, including capacity-building or professional development program experience.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship; fluent in English.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple programs, stakeholders, and deadlines, with keen attention to detail, and strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of the conservation sector and how conservation NGOs function, including the realities of field-based conservation efforts.
• Working proficiency in Google Suite.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically (and internationally, if applicable) for in-person trainings and convenings.

Responsibilities

• Own program management and delivery across RWL’s Scholarship Program, Internship Program, and EWCL, including cohort application and selection, participant support, mentorship, and alumni engagement.
• Run the full award administration and financial-services process for RWL programs: agreements, payments, compliance documentation, budget monitoring, and accurate records in Salesforce.
• Own reporting, compliance tracking, and M&E across RWL awards and programs: monitor deadlines, verify compliance, follow up on overdue submissions, and turn program data into recommendations for growth and adjustment.
• Set and run the full committee and participant meeting cadence for RWL: scheduling and coordinating across multiple stakeholder groups on a recurring basis, plus minute-keeping.
• Lead in-person and virtual trainings and convenings for RWL cohorts and alumni, including content development, securing venues, travel logistics, and vendor management, from planning and coordination to execution.
• Work closely with other RWL and WCN programs leads to ensure cohesion, collaboration, and scaled impact.
• Serve as a donor-engagement and communications liaison for RWL: partner with Communications, Donor Engagement, and Marketing on campaigns and donor-facing content drawn from program data, and manage EWCL’s website and social channels.
• Represent WCN and RWL externally, including at WCN’s annual Fall Expo, and act as a connective link between RWL and the rest of the Conservation Programs team.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

Problem solving

English fluency

Tools

Google Suite

Salesforce CRM

Job description

Wildlife Conservation Network is seeking a Rising Wildlife Leaders Manager to run the scholarships, internships, and EWCL programs, coordinating cohorts, alumni, and donors within the Conservation Programs team.

You will oversee awards, budgets, and reporting, while delivering trainings and convenings, both in-person and virtual, to support the next generation of conservation leaders. The role requires travel and strong program-management skills.