Program Director, Forest Management Program

Location: Virtual, based in Central or Southern Appalachia (Appalachian regions of Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, or Virginia)

Position Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Program Director to lead our Forest Management Program. The ideal candidate will be responsible for tracking and achieving programmatic impact goals, overseeing program managers, and overseeing program enrollment through effective marketing, budgeting, landowner contracting, and partnership development.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management:
o   Oversee a team of 3 program managers (PMs), providing guidance, support, and performance management.
o   Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and professional growth.

Program Oversight:
o   Develop and implement strategies to regularly track and meet program impact goals related to forest carbon initiatives.
o   Ensure program integrity through iteratively overseeing program eligibility screening requirements and continuous monitoring of enrolled land as required by program design.

Budgeting and Financial Management:
o   Prepare and manage the program budget, ensuring financial sustainability and accountability.
o   Identify funding opportunities and manage grant proposals to secure additional resources, with the support of staff.

Marketing and Communication:
o   Lead program marketing efforts, alongside marketing firm, to elevate brand awareness and engagement among stakeholders, including landowners, partners, and the community.
o   Develop outreach metrics and report quarterly results to ensure programmatic success.

Landowner Engagement and Contracting:
o   Oversee the eligibility assessments of landowners prior to enrollment
o   Provide day to day support to PMs in their communications and relationship building with landowners
o   Approve and troubleshoot landowner contracts alongside PMs and counsel?

Partnership Collaboration and Building:
o   Oversee partnership collaborations under the Forest Management program, including workforce development program, mapping, and biodiversity research, with support of staff.
o   Cultivate further stakeholder and community based organizational partnerships to further program impact
o   Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and community events to build relationships and promote initiatives.

Qualifications:
●      Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, forestry, natural resource management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

●      Minimum of 5-7 of experience in program management, preferably in environmental or forestry-related programs.

●      Strong understanding of carbon markets, forest management practices, and sustainable land use.

●      Familiarity with the nature-based carbon project development process

●      Proven experience in budgeting, financial management, and grant writing.

●      Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

●      Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including landowners, partners, and community organizations.

●      Passion for environmental conservation and sustainability.

●      Willingness to travel frequently (est. 30-50 days/year) and perform occasional field work in remote and rugged terrain.

●      Has demonstrated and successful experience working remotely.

●      Is comfortable working with a small but mighty team.

What We Offer:

●      Starting salary at $85,000 with robust benefit package.

●      Opportunity to make a significant impact in Appalachian forests and communities

●      Collaborative and supportive work environment.

●      3 year contract with possibility for extension.

●      Remote (home office) opportunity