Director, Great Plains Science

Major Function

The Science Program Director will oversee the Science program whose purpose is to ensure WWF’s Great Plains (GP) Program is guided by robust science to 1) sustain and expand intact grasslands, 2) enhance the ecological function of prairie ecosystems, and 3) restore keystone and endangered wildlife, while ensuring WWF continues to be a leader in grassland conservation science. This work entails managing a staff of 2-4 science specialists and senior specialists; developing and maintaining key partnerships in the science community; engaging with public and private sector partners; prioritizing strategies to meet overall program objectives; measuring progress toward program goals; designing and implementing a variety of programs focused on improving grassland conservation; fundraising for program goals and objectives; and managing project workflows that involve numerous other internal WWF teams.

Responsibilities

Management . Manages a high performing, strong and united team of 2-4 staff members, facilitating good communication, collaboration and sharing of lessons learned. Provides leadership to the Great Plains team to implement program priorities, including designing research workstreams with staff, tracking progress and evaluating results. Ensures team members have clear work plans and expectations.

Strategy development and implementation. Works with Science team and others (e.g. Sustainable Ranching Initiative, Great Plains Wildlife Initiative, Wildlife Team, Freshwater, etc.) in developing, implementing and regularly evaluating strategies, priorities, budgets, and timelines. Ensures results are delivered on time and within budgetary guidelines.

Partnership Development: Develop, build, and maintain partnerships with leaders in the science community within the government, non-profits, ranching community, Native Nations, and the private sector to support the goals of the GP Program including improving management of grasslands, protecting land from conversion, restoring native grasslands and native wildlife. Identify new partners to broaden the reach and enhance the durability of grassland conservation science. Coaches the Science team on partnership development.

Policy . Coordinates with Great Plains team, WWF Policy & Government Affairs, and external partners to support science needs for advocacy of policies at numerous levels of government that promote grassland conservation, wildlife restoration, and incentivize sustainable grazing and grassland management.

Leadership Team. Serves as part of GP’s leadership team to drive integration of programs within the GP (including identifying emerging opportunities, improving existing conservation projects and troubleshooting and resolving conservation challenges), address regular field office issues, and build team cohesiveness.

Fundraising . In coordination with WWF Development, Private Sector Engagement, and GP team, the Director will lead development and conceptual framework for proposals. Works closely with the Operations team to clarify priorities and develop budgets. Leads drafting of proposals and/or oversees staff drafts and/or directly prepares proposals and reports. Engages with the WWF GP VP to determine priorities, communicate with funders, attend events or conduct field site visits as needed.

Key Competencies:

Leadership/Management – is needed to lead, develop, and support a high-performing science team while setting clear priorities, clarifying workplans and expectations, providing feedback, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the team’s work is aligned with the Great Plains Program strategic plan.

Research/Analytical Thinking/Intellectual Curiosity – is needed to ensure the Great Plains Program is guided by rigorous science, strong ecological and social monitoring, adaptive learning, and the ability to synthesize complex scientific information into practical conservation strategies.

Strategic Planning and Implementation – is needed to translate science priorities into actionable strategies, budgets, timelines, and measurable outcomes that support intact grassland protection, improved ecological function, and wildlife restoration across the Great Plains.

Partnership Development and Engagement – is needed to build and maintain trusted relationships with universities, agencies, nonprofits, Native Nations, ranching communities, funders, additional WWF science teams, and private-sector partners, while strengthening the credibility, reach, and durability of WWF’s grassland conservation science.

Detail-Oriented, Results-Oriented Project Management – is needed to manage multiple complex workstreams, staff responsibilities, budgets, consultants, timelines, proposals, reports, and metrics with a high level of accuracy and follow-through. This role requires someone who can track details carefully, anticipate gaps, uphold scientific and operational quality, and ensure that science priorities are delivered on time and in support of broader organ…