Conservation Manager

Wild Dreams Hospitality; Oos-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-in accommodation on reserve

Job summary

Wild Dreams Hospitality invites a senior conservation professional to lead the reserve's conservation strategy, ecological monitoring programmes, and the conservation team on a live-in private reserve in South Africa.

You will oversee wildlife management, anti-poaching strategy, ecosystem management, partnerships, budgets, and compliance, ensuring biodiversity goals are met while operating in a remote environment.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in nature conservation, ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a conservation management or protected area management role.
• Strong knowledge of wildlife management, ecological monitoring, and biodiversity conservation principles.
• Experience with anti-poaching strategy, security operations, and perimeter management.
• Solid understanding of relevant environmental legislation, including NEMBA and NEMPAA.
• Competent in GIS and conservation data management tools.
• Experience with alien vegetation control, veld management, and land restoration.
• Valid driver's licence with 4x4 experience essential.
• Firearm competency essential.
• Strong leadership, people management, and report writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfortable living and working in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic conservation and reserve management plan aligned to the reserve's long-term biodiversity goals.
• Oversee and manage all ecological monitoring programmes, including game census, camera traps, veld condition assessments, and landscape use analysis.
• Manage wildlife, including species of special interest, translocations, and introductions.
• Oversee ecosystem management, including alien vegetation control, soil erosion management, grazing monitoring, and water provisioning.
• Manage and mentor the conservation team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Oversee anti-poaching unit strategy, personnel, and operations.
• Manage access control, perimeter security, and reserve infrastructure including fencing, roads, boreholes, and water reticulation.
• Coordinate responses to wildfire, flooding, and other natural events.
• Cultivate existing research and conservation partnerships and develop new collaborations.
• Compile budgets, forecasts, and regular conservation reports.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and permit requirements.
• Maintain open and effective communication with all internal departments and external stakeholders.

Skills

Conservation management

Team leadership

GIS

Communication

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary qualification in nature conservation/ecology/environmental sciences

Tools

GIS software

Data management systems

Camera trap analysis tools

Job description

This is a senior, hands-on role for a driven conservation professional with a strong track record in protected area or wildlife management. The successful candidate will take ownership of the reserve's conservation strategy, ecological monitoring programmes, and team leadership, contributing meaningfully to long-term biodiversity and ecosystem goals within a world-class private reserve environment.

Core Criteria

• Tertiary qualification in nature conservation, ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a conservation management or protected area management role
• Strong knowledge of wildlife management, ecological monitoring, and biodiversity conservation principles
• Experience with anti-poaching strategy, security operations, and perimeter management
• Solid understanding of relevant environmental legislation, including NEMBA and NEMPAA
• Competent in GIS and conservation data management tools
• Experience with alien vegetation control, veld management, and land restoration
• Valid driver's licence with 4x4 experience essential
• Firearm competency essential
• Strong leadership, people management, and report writing skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Comfortable living and working in a remote environment

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic conservation and reserve management plan aligned to the reserve's long-term biodiversity goals
• Oversee and manage all ecological monitoring programmes, including game census, camera traps, veld condition assessments, and landscape use analysis
• Manage wildlife, including species of special interest, translocations, and introductions
• Oversee ecosystem management, including alien vegetation control, soil erosion management, grazing monitoring, and water provisioning
• Manage and mentor the conservation team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
• Oversee anti-poaching unit strategy, personnel, and operations
• Manage access control, perimeter security, and reserve infrastructure including fencing, roads, boreholes, and water reticulation
• Coordinate responses to wildfire, flooding, and other natural events
• Cultivate existing research and conservation partnerships and develop new collaborations
• Compile budgets, forecasts, and regular conservation reports
• Maintain compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and permit requirements
• Maintain open and effective communication with all internal departments and external stakeholders

Remuneration & Benefits

• Salary: Market-related, dependent on experience and qualifications
• Live-in position with accommodation provided on the reserve