Strategic Conservation Projects Lead - Remote

National Forest Foundation; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 101,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

HSA contributions

FSA

Long-term disability

Retirement plan 403(b)

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

The National Forest Foundation is seeking a part-time Special Projects Lead to support Conservation Programs, operating remotely with strategic focus on high-priority initiatives.

The role partners with conservation leadership to drive planning, execution, and cross-functional collaboration, delivering measurable impacts for wildfire resilience, watershed restoration, and recreation. Salary is competitive with growth options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public administration, nonprofit management, business, natural resources, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit leadership, conservation programs, strategy, operations, project management, or a related field.
• Experience in conservation, forestry, land management, watershed restoration, wildfire resilience, outdoor recreation, or closely related fields.
• Experience working with federal or state agencies, especially in partnership-oriented environments.
• Ability to lead complex special projects and manage cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution.
• Strong understanding of organizational strategy, operational systems, and performance management in a mission-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prioritize, and advance high-impact special projects and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and manage systems for communication, accountability, and decision-making across the Conservation team.
• Prepare briefing materials, presentations, agendas, and talking points for internal meetings, board interactions, partner engagements, and external events.
• Facilitate project planning and leadership coordination meetings by shaping agendas, documenting action items, monitoring progress, and surfacing risks or bottlenecks early.
• Lead and manage special projects that support organizational growth, conservation impact, and operational excellence, ensuring clear objectives, timelines, ownership, and successful delivery.
• Collaborate with advancement and program staff to cultivate corporate relationships, shape partnership concepts and proposals, and secure financial contributions that align business sustainability objectives with measurable conservation outcomes.
• Represent conservation leadership in selected meetings and partnerships, and help maintain strong relationships with public agencies, nonprofit partners, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Support preparation for strategic planning, annual budgeting, team retreats, and other organizational planning processes.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public administration, nonprofit management, business, natural resources, or a related field

Job description

The National Forest Foundation is seeking a part-time Special Projects Lead to support Conservation Programs, operating remotely with strategic focus on high-priority initiatives.

The role partners with conservation leadership to drive planning, execution, and cross-functional collaboration, delivering measurable impacts for wildfire resilience, watershed restoration, and recreation. Salary is competitive with growth options.