Assistant Director of Conservation Action

The Assistant Director of Conservation Action oversees the planning, operations, and evaluation of Shedd’s conservation action efforts that activate people and communities to act for animals. Shedd’s conservation action work utilizes an equity lens to restore and protect natural areas, prevent future environmental degradation, and mobilize various stakeholders and communities to act for a healthier future.  

• The assistant director is responsible for managing all aspects of implementing environmental restoration projects and delivering conservation action outreach programs.
• Working closely with other Shedd departments, the assistant director will contribute to interdepartmental collaboration, coordinate training and education on key conservation issues, centralize important resources for conservation messaging, and track outputs and outcomes.
• The assistant director also manages external partnerships, playing a key role in developing new relationships and delivering on collaborative efforts with nonprofits, elected officials, businesses, community groups, and others.
• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   
• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values. 

Annual Planning and Budget Oversight

• With the senior director, set the direction for the conservation action team to develop, manage, and execute implementation of the strategic plan, including all programmatic, budget management, and evaluation goals. 
• As part of the Learning & Community leadership team, contribute to developing strategic long-range plans, including annual and multi-year plans and budgets, professional development activities, and evaluation strategies.
• Build consistent strategies, metrics, and resources across the conservation action department and seek alignment with other Shedd teams.
• Manage the annual team calendar to document and plan the conservation action department’s various restoration projects and outreach programs.
• Oversee program budgets and ensure accurate spending and tracking of program expenses. Contribute to fundraising efforts, including grant applications, and ensure all funding obligations are met, and work with the Development department on funding reports.
• Program, Project, and Team Management
• Supervise and coach team members for continued growth and development.
• May include direct reports, external consultants, and team members who report to other supervisors.
• Oversee planning and delivery of environmental restoration activities and conservation action outreach programs.
• Track and report on all metrics associated with restoration and engagement efforts and ensure all funding and partner deliverables are met.
• Work with Learning & Community and other Shedd teams on collaborative program development and delivery. 
• With an innovative and creative mindset, identify and cultivate additional opportunities for both onsite and offsite conservation action engagement.
• Work closely with Shedd’s Government Affairs and Policy team to strategically lead cross-team conservation advocacy efforts.
• Conservation Engagement Planning
• Collaborate with aquarium-wide teams to ensure conservation engagement is integrated across programs, exhibits, projects, and initiatives. 
• Develop new and nurture existing internal and external partnerships to advance conservation engagement goals. Maintain strong relationships with local, national, and international conservation organizations/influencers, including NGOs, funders, and associations.   
• Maintain and build expertise in conservation issues.  Serve as a reliable, knowledgeable source of current, relevant information and provide content and input for Shedd messaging and communications needs. Serve as Shedd spokesperson for media and other public appearances. Provide counsel to SVP and others.  
• Support development of training on conservation engagement for staff and One Shedd partners as appropriate. 
• Deepen Shedd’s diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) efforts internally and externally
• Advance institutional and departmental DEAI goals by contributing to action planning and implementation.
• Foster a culture of inclusion both internally and externally to ensure that diverse individuals, cultures, and ideas are welcome and celebrated.
• Integrate new strategies into Shedd’s conservation action efforts that advance equity, access, and justice, and recognize past and current harms that unequally impact vulnerable communities.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to ongoing personal growth and leadership in DEAI efforts and multicultural competency.
• Community Engagement and Partnership Building 
• Develop partnership and community engagement strategies that align with conservation action and institutional goals.
• Manage partner agreements, including drafting new agreements, ensuring deliverables are met, and renewing agreements as needed. 
• Lead efforts to document partner information and interactions for improved record-keeping and relationship management.
• Build authentic relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders and demonstrate respect and appreciation for others’ views, backgrounds, and goals. Prioritize listening and trust-building.
• Pursue new and nurture existing partnerships to advance the goals of conservation action programs.
• Grow internal relationships and partnerships to support cross-departmental programmatic integration.
• Communications & Public Awareness 
• Lead development of the communication strategy for conservation action as well as program promotion plans.
• Serve as Shedd spokesperson for media and other public appearances as assigned.  Represent Shedd, as requested, for other events.   
• Stay current and build expertise on local and global environmental issues, such as but not limited to plastic pollution, climate change, applied conservation and habitat restoration, general sustainable practices, and other related topics.   
• Stay up to date on science-based, environmental policies and share calls to action with appropriate Shedd conservation audiences 
• Develop visual and written content to share with Shedd audiences, collaborators and partners that aligns with Shedd’s mission and stance on conservation issues. 
• Support and advise other Shedd teams in building understanding and expertise on conservation issues and communications.  
• Other duties 
• Support fundraising efforts including funder/donor relations, grant solicitation and fulfillment, and reporting. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional and personal growth by initiating dialogue with colleagues, engaging in self-directed learning, and focusing on professional development goals. 
• Facilitate conservation action programs on occasion. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Conservation, Science, Education, Communications, Non-Profit Management, or related field or a combination of experience and education/training. 

Experience:   

• 3+ years of experience managing diverse teams required. 
• 5+ years of experience with program coordination, community engagement, public outreach, and presentation delivery, preferably in a non-profit setting. 
• Experience with volunteer management or community environmental stewardship is desired. 
• Demonstrated ability to handle a large workload in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication skills and a talent for planning and delivering educational activities. Aware of current, local, national, and international conservation issues, with the ability to effectively and clearly communicate them to various audiences. 
• Poised, articulate professional with diplomacy, a sense of humor, a positive attitude, and charisma. Driven, highly organized self-starter.
• Confident, outgoing, and enjoys socializing with diverse audiences. Appreciation for and strong attention to detail. Passionate about the environment. A lifelong learner.   

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including frequent nights, weekends, and early mornings, as necessary, and walk/stand/sit for extended periods of time, both indoors and outdoors.
• Must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather.
• The position requires handling live animals. Position requires frequent local travel. 
• Must be able to do moderate lifting to transport equipment and material to sites. 
• Further Comments

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD:

• We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.  Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options Vision and Dental Insurance  Accrued Paid Time Off  Up to 12 Paid Holidays  Life Insurance  Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance 401(k) Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies Employee Assistance Program Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive  Employee Discounts Employee Tickets  Reasonable Accommodations:  Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.
• If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org. 
• We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply.
• Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. 

Salary

• $75,000 - $85,000