Network Director

~ NatureServe is a nonprofit conservation science and technology organization that provides the scientific basis for effective conservation action. NatureServe operates as the hub of an international network of more than 80 biodiversity information centers across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. ~

What is the Network?

The NatureServe Network is comprised of Natural Heritage Programs in all 50 US states and Conservation Data Centers in every province and territory of Canada and in about half the countries of Latin America. Together, they collect, manage, analyze and apply standardized information about the location, distribution, and conservation status of at-risk and unique species and ecosystems. The NatureServe Network is one of the oldest and most developed biodiversity information networks in the world. At local, state, regional, national and international levels, the Network has enormous potential to deliver positive outcomes for the management and conservation of biodiversity. 

Position Overview

The Network Director leads the development and implementation of strategies that sustain and strengthen the capacity, engagement, growth, visibility and conservation impact of NatureServe's international network of member organizations.

Responsibilities

• Key responsibilities include catalyzing the co-development of projects that advance priority network initiatives; assessing and improving the health of network programs, with a focus on the US Natural Heritage Programs; encouraging and measuring network effectiveness; and promoting the value of the NatureServe Network to government agencies, conservation NGOs, academia, partners, clients, and other constituents.
• The Network Director supervises the Latin America and Caribbean Program Director, and acts as a liaison with the network Section Councils for the United States, Canada, Latin America and Caribbean to achieve a robust Network across the Western Hemisphere.

Qualifications

• The Network Director must have excellent communication, writing and facilitation skills, as well as the ability to lead and inspire.
• S/he understands and promotes the capacities, services and needs of network member organizations and provides leadership in identifying and pursuing business development opportunities at regional, national and international scales.
• S/he will bring to this position a well-developed set of public and private sector relationships in U.S. natural resource management and conservation.  
• The Network Director is an active participant and convener in cross-organization business development teams, with a focus on the US Federal sector.
• The Director also serves as the primary staff interface with the Membership Committee of the Board of Directors.