Director, Education for Nature and Conservation Science Leadership

Major FunctionWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world's leading conservation organizations, seeks a Director to lead the Russell E. Train Education for Nature (EFN) and Conservation Science Leadership program. As an integral part of the Global Science team, the Director sets and implements the strategy, operations, and resource model for a global portfolio of science fellowships, grants, and capacity development initiatives, and ensures the program invests in conservation science capacity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. A central part of the role is cultivating the program's alumni and fellowship recipients within an active, self-sustaining network that delivers long-term mentorship, coaching, peer support, and professional connection within the countries and regions where alumni live and work. The Director serves as WWF's global representative on conservation science capacity and leadership development, fostering partnerships with leading universities, research institutions, and supporters to extend the program's reach and impact. The Director will adapt the program's strategic direction in step with internal and external stakeholders' needs, lead resource mobilization for program priorities, and contribute to the literature that shapes conservation capacity practice across the sector.Key ResponsibilitiesDelivers a strategic vision for conservation science leadership and capacity development in support of conservation goals.Implements the strategy and workplan for the Education for Nature and Conservation Science Leadership Program with a professional team. Plans and recommends strategic updates and activities so that program outcomes remain relevant and supported by a sustainable funding plan.Develops and implements a sustainable resource model for conservation science capacity and leadership development, partnering with development, private sector and public sector colleagues to design and execute fundraising plans.Manages, coaches and develops program staff and external collaborators, fostering an inclusive and high-performing team.Serves as WWF's organizational representative and thought leader on conservation science leadership and capacity development, communicating effectively with high-level audiences and sustaining relationships with strategic partners, donors, WWF Network colleagues, consultants, grantees and alumni.Designs and grows a durable network among alumni and current fellowship recipients, creating structures that sustain peer support, mentorship and collaboration within and across countries and regions over the long term.Positions alumni as mentors, reviewers, and ambassadors for the next generation of grantees, and tracks the reach and value of the network as a measure of program impact.Builds and maintains partnerships with universities, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations across Africa, Asia and Latin America to advance program objectives.Develops and manages the annual budget within a three-year plan, in collaboration with the direct supervisor and Program Operations staff. Oversees grant-making, donor compliance and expense management.Delivers a strategic communications plan for the program, in collaboration with Global Science and WWF communications colleagues, to raise the program's profile, promote grantees and alumni and deepen engagement among partners and priority audiences.Monitors, analyzes and evaluates program initiatives to confirm that program intent and outcomes are achieved and that adaptive learning takes place.Stays abreast of current science, issues and trends in conservation science leadership, capacity development, lifelong learning, upskilling and career development.Contributes to the academic and grey literature on conservation science capacity and leadership and convenes staff and partners to translate evidence and best practice into WWF's program design and interventions.Travels internationally, frequently to remote locations, to represent WWF at meetings, workshops and conferences and to conduct site visits.Other duties as assigned.