USVI Coral Program Manager

What We Can Achieve Together:

The USVI Coral Program Manager oversees the operations of The Nature Conservancy’s Coral Innovation Hub located on St. Croix, USVI and manages the portfolio of coral restoration projects of the Virgin Islands Program.  They are a strategic liaison with local USVI partners and other programs of the Caribbean Division carrying out coral conservation and restoration activities. They serve as liaison to other programs within the Caribbean Division contributing to the development and implementation of coral reef conservation and restoration activities and strategies. The USVI Coral Program Manager uses innovative approaches towards achieving conservation outcomes, working closely with local and international partner organizations from universities, research institutes, government agencies, and the private sector.  The USVI Coral Program Manager identifies, applies for, and manages relevant funding opportunities and identifies, pursues, and formalizes synergistic partnerships. They work with the VI Program Director and coral program team to define conservation priorities for the USVI Coral Innovation Hub and long-term conservation strategies, build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field and develop key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices. They engage local community support for local conservation efforts and negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies to conserve and protect natural communities.  The USVI Coral Program Manager oversees the team of USVI coral program staff, ensuring alignment of activities with the strategic goals of the Caribbean Division. 

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Manages and leads implementation of multiple multi-million-dollar projects involving coral restoration, education and outreach.
• Leads a team of up to 20 multi-disciplinary technical and professional staff, with direct oversight of a team of managers. Responsibility for performance management, training and career development, and establishing clear directions and setting stretch objectives.
• Identifies and applies for funding opportunities including government grants and private funding sources. Supports leadership in ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs; may work with TNC’s marketing and development team to cultivate philanthropic funding.
• Writes and manages subawards to partners.
• Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment.
• Writes contracts and manages vendors.
• Financial responsibility will include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, and assisting with budget development.
• Maintains project records and ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Completes grant and donor reports.
• Contributes to technical and data reports, and responsible for review of all documents and data released from the program.

We’re Looking for You:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.

By joining our Caribbean Division’s USVI team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with, a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet.  Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together.  The ideal candidate should have on-the-ground experience in coral conservation and restoration, complex project management and coordination, leading an interdisciplinary team, and interacting with a variety of stakeholders.  This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by supporting and shaping the work of our Coral Innovation Hub! 

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in marine science, conservation, or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of coral reef biology, and coral conservation and restoration strategies.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Experience managing large, complex or multiple government projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners and managing deadlines.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
• Experience working in natural marine systems.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience communicating with the public, scientific community and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• SCUBA certification with scientific diving experience; experience performing physical work while snorkeling or diving in open water or from the shoreline for 1-2 hours at a time in challenging weather conditions. Repetitive diving may occur.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 7-10 years’ management experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Coral restoration field experience and knowledge of Caribbean stony corals species, survey experience, and knowledge of critical threats to coral reef ecosystems.
• Current qualifications to meet AAUS Dive Safety Standards (www.aaus.org).
• Experience manipulating, analyzing and interpreting statistical or environmental data.
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals.
• Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences
• Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and writing proposals; grant writing experience a plus.
• Politically savvy.

Additional Information

• The location for the position is St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Only applicants who are currently eligible to work in the United States will be considered. Unfortunately, The Nature Conservancy is unable to provide support for a work permit for this position.
• This position is contingent on continued government and private funding. We currently anticipate funding through at least June 2028, which may be extended depending on business needs and/or funding.

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of USD $88,000 – $100,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor. 

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.