Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director

Position Overview

Ontario Nature is seeking a Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director to lead well-funded conservation campaigns and other policy-based initiatives to ensure that laws and policies safeguard the protection of wild species and wild spaces. The Director leads Ontario Nature’s work to maintain and advance a broad base of support for policy goals by cultivating strong working relationships and partnerships with government agencies, First Nations and Indigenous communities, Ontario Nature’s Nature Network of local and regional groups, funders and other environmental organizations.

The Director leads all aspects of conservation policy analysis; government relations; and the development and implementation of conservation campaigns, especially related to advancing achievements towards the protected areas target of 30% by 2030 and the protection of species and habitats in Ontario. They manage and administer projects and activities; identify and develop new opportunities to advance program goals; lead program institutional donor fundraising; and develop and manage annual program objectives, work plans and budgets.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will lead and manage the Policy and Campaigns team. As the ideal candidate, you will have at least 5 to 10 years of environmental policy and campaign experience and superior written, verbal and listening communication skills. You have a proven ability to manage complex projects and lead and motivate teams in a fast-paced environment. You have experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and with stakeholders across sectors to advance shared interests and sound environmental policy. You have a love of nature and the outdoors and thrive in pursuing purpose-filled work.

About Ontario Nature

Ontario Nature is a charitable conservation organization that protects wild species and wild spaces across Ontario through conservation, education and public engagement. We represent over 150 member groups, and more than 30,000 individual members and supporters throughout the province. We are there wherever and whenever nature needs us most. To learn more, visit: ontarionature.org.

Why Work with Ontario Nature

• Flexible work hours and location, in accordance with our Remote Work Policy.
• Progressive workspace and membership perks at the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto.
• Generous vacation leave and 4 paid days off in addition to statutory holidays during our office closure in late December.
• 3 paid personal leave days, 12 paid sick days per year and comprehensive benefits. package including health, dental and group RRSP program.
• Fulfilling, purpose-driven work, alongside 30 passionate and committed colleagues.
• An ongoing commitment to create an inclusive and equitable environment for employees, volunteers, members and supporters.
• Opportunities for skill development and cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Support for taking initiative and pursuing aligned personal interest projects.
• Team building and social opportunities.

Principal Responsibilities
1.     Campaign Development and Execution

• Develop and implement effective public campaigns to mount strong support to maintain or achieve strong laws and policies for the protection of Ontario’s biodiversity engaging with members, Nature Network groups and partners.

2.     Government Relations

• Cultivate and maintain effective communications with political leaders to advance achievement of key conservation policy goals.
• Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with senior government officials to achieve program goals.

3.     Policy Analysis

• Ensure thorough analysis of new policy or legislative proposals that impact the protection of Ontario’s biodiversity to inform responses, campaigns and engage the Nature Network, partners and the wider public in actively supporting key objectives.

4.     Program Communications and Media Relations

• Lead the development and implementation of communications plans for conservation policy and campaign programs.
• Working with the Communications Director, lead on all media relations related to conservation policy and campaigns including interviews and proactively working with the media to ensure coverage of key issues.
• Act as primary spokesperson on policy and campaigns, and on conservation policy-related matters.

5.     Community and Partner Relations

• Play a leadership role in coalitions and other partnerships with conservation and environmental organizations, agricultural organizations, private sector organizations and others with mutual interests to establish and achieve common goals and objectives.
• Lead policy and campaign initiatives with Ontario Nature’s Nature Network members alongside the Nature Network Organizer.

6.     Indigenous Relations

• Play a leadership role in fostering respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous colleagues.
• Lead efforts to work with Indigenous colleagues to identify and advance shared interests and objectives in law and policy reform and implementation.

7.     Program Planning, Management and Financial Administration

• Spearhead multi-year program and project planning, evaluation and budgeting for conservation policy and campaign programs.
• Work with the Executive Director and other members of the Senior Management Team to set the organization’s strategic goals and translate these into specific operational objectives on an annual and multi-year basis.
• Develop and oversee the conservation policy and campaign program budgets including expense and revenue monitoring and quarterly expense and revenue projections.
• Oversee the hiring, supervision, work planning and performance management of all staff and contractors for the conservation policy and campaign programs.
• Provide timely internal reports on progress towards achieving goals and targets.

8.     Program Fundraising

• Work with development staff and the Policy and Campaigns team to identify, cultivate and pursue funding opportunities.
• Ensure effective and timely reporting to funders and donors.
• Play a leading role in donor relations related to conservation policy and campaigns, working with the Development team.

9.     Other

• Provide advice and guidance to inform Ontario Nature’s work related to conservation strategy, planning and Indigenous and partner relations led by other teams, particularly Conservation Science and Stewardship.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in the conservation/environmental field (e.g., planning, political science, environmental studies, biological science, law).
• Minimum 5-10 years of directly relevant policy and campaign experience.
• Flexibility, reliability, self-motivation, and ability to work independently and as a leader.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario’s laws and policies related to conservation and environmental protection.
• Excellent communications skills (written, verbal and listening) and ease with communicating with a wide range of audiences from the public and private sectors including making public presentations.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience working with decision makers and partners.
• Demonstrated skills in project planning and management with strong financial management skills.
• Demonstrated experience in project fundraising, especially proposal writing and donor stewardship.
• Proven ability to supervise and motivate staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with Indigenous communities.
• Strong planning and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace and the broader community.
• Superior problem-solving skills and sound judgment.
• Valid class G driver’s license.
• Must be prepared to travel, work flexible hours frequently.

Anticipated Start Date:          Late-April 2024 (negotiable)

Type of Position:                      Full-time, permanent

Compensation:                         $88,000 – $112,000 per annum, commensurate with experience

Location: This position is based at Ontario Nature’s Head Office – 720 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON. This position may work remotely in accordance with Ontario Nature’s operational Remote Work Policy, provided there is the ability to attend external and internal meetings in Toronto at short notice.

Working Conditions: This position requires some evening and weekend work for meetings, events and to meet certain deadlines. Lieu time may be accrued for this. This position requires extensive sitting, typing and time spent viewing computer screens.

Direct Reports:

• Conservation Policy and Planning Manager
• Conservation Planning Coordinator
• Protected Places Assessment Coordinator
• Municipal Protected Places Intern
• Additional short-term employees and contractors

To Apply

• Include your resume, cover letter and three references in one PDF document, addressing your qualifications and experience.
• Include “Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director” in the subject line.
• Email your application to jobs@ontarionature.org
• Deadline for applications: March 22, 2024, 11:59 P.M. We encourage interested candidates to apply sooner as we will conduct screenings and schedule interviews throughout the application window.

Although Ontario Nature appreciates the efforts of all those who apply for this position, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No unsolicited emails or phone calls please.

Ontario Nature is committed to employment equity, diversity and accessibility. Requests for disability-related accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should make their requirements known when contacted.

Tagged as: flexible location, generous vacation and paid time off, passionate colleagues, purpose-driven work