Job Title: Manager, Conservation Projects

Reporting To: Director, Conservation Operations

Purpose:
Responsible for the grant development cycle from collecting EOI’s through to obtaining funding approvals and issuing grant agreements, supporting the Director and VP in the preparation of reports, materials and project updates for the Oversight Committee and BCPF Board, providing input into the design and implementation of future funding streams, communicating with and supporting ongoing relationships with Nations and advancing the objectives of the Fund

Overview:

The BC Parks Foundation is the official charitable partner and conservation financing mechanism to one of the largest systems of parks in the world, with over 1,040 parks and more than 26 million visits per year. Our motivated team has produced outstanding results, including raising over $400 million in the last 4 years, protecting over 55 beautiful places, and launching an internationally recognized health initiative. And we’ve only just begun. Our mission is to create the greatest system of parks and indigenous protected areas in the world.

We Are:

• A charitable, purpose-driven organization passionate about enjoying and protecting nature in British Columbia

• People who value spark, respect with caring, reciprocity, and greatness

• A warm, positive, hard-working team who operate in a spirit of gratitude and celebration

• Connected to a wide variety of community groups, First Nations, businesses, governments and other partners that we work with regularly

You Are:

• Detail oriented and able to balance competing interests with effective prioritization

• Skilled at effectively managing a large number of ongoing projects at different stages of development

• A skilled communicator and relationship builder

Role Summary:

The Manager, Conservation Projects is responsible for managing Fund operations and grant development, administering the BC Conservation fund program, with multiple intakes each year across funding streams. The position supports the Director and VP in refining the design of the fund, its processes and procedures to ensure it is efficient, effective and delivering on fund objectives. The role also identifies operational policy and process gaps and issues, and supports the Director and VP in developing solutions. The Manager then ensures the smooth implementation of policy decisions. The role will be highly collaborative in working with other members of the Conservation Fund team, Private-Land Acquisition team, Philanthropy, Health and Education, and Marketing and Communications.

Responsibilities:

Grant Development

• Coordinate and oversee the grant fund’s operational activities, including managing workflows and deadlines, ensuring key milestones are achieved, and maintaining clear communication across teams.
  • Invite expressions of interest (EOI’s), collect and evaluate submissions provide feedback to applicants where needed, then move satisfactory EOI’s through to the full application process.
  • Receive and evaluate full applications by assessing against established criteria or coordinating such evaluations, prepare reports with recommendations to be provided to the Committee, ensuring that relevant information is supplied to support decision making.
  • Support the Director in obtaining funding approval from the Committee and BCPF Board.
  • Prepare the grant agreements, communicating with proponents during the process and with internal teams, including Finance, Marketing and Communications and any external stakeholders as needed.
  • Track the application of grant and matching funds to projects.
  • Develop data management processes and refine those along with reporting processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and clarity.
  • Track and manage the pre-approval granting process to maintain alignment with established timelines and deadlines.
  • Anticipate and plan for emerging issues and program needs.
  • Identify potential risks in both the grant administration process and program development.
  • Evaluate current processes and identify opportunities to streamline and increase efficiency.

Relationship Building

• Support the development and maintenance of strong relationships with grantees in coordination with the Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Manager, Stewardship.

  • Build and maintain positive relationships with potential grantees (35 and growing), focusing on supporting project alignment and success.

  • Identify areas for additional support or resources for potential grantees as needed.

  • Support community outreach, for example, booths or events.

Reporting and Operational Support

• Provide operational support to the Director and VP in dealings with the Oversight Committee and BCPF Board, ensuring accurate data management, reporting, and communication materials.

  • Support the Director, Conservation Fund and VP of Conservation with oversight of Committee and Board decision packages through collaboration with the conservation fund team, and other foundation teams as needed (i.e. marketing and communications team, health and education, philanthropy).
  • Design and prepare detailed reports, metrics, and data visualizations for committee meetings.
  • Facilitate regular internal updates about the status of potential grants, timelines, and key metrics. (i.e. Quarterly and annual reports, updates for Chair).
  • Collect feedback to refine processes and improve outcomes.

• Be responsible for the day-to-day supervision, support and management of the Conservation Administrator, including but not limited to, workplan development and direction, coaching, mentoring, career planning, goal setting and review, and performance evaluation

• Contribute to a constructive, results oriented, and inspiring organizational culture.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Indigenous Studies, Non-profit management or a related field, or a combination of relevant education and experience

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in a similar position, related field and/or level of responsibility

• 3-5 years experience in managing project cycles through to completion

• 2+ years of leadership experience

• Experience with using Monday.com or other project management tools

• Experience with program work planning and budget management

• Understanding of and respectful of Indigenous cultures, histories, values and governance systems and can effectively engage with Indigenous communities in a culturally appropriate manner, fostering trust and collaboration

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and can produce effective communication materials

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within teams, across departments and with various stakeholders to achieve project goals

• Experience with identifying risks, problem solving and streamlining processes for efficiency and accuracy

• Experience with conservation granting

Skills and experience considered an asset:

• Master’s degree or certifications in project management, grant management, IPCA planning or related field will be an asset

• An understanding of non-profit governance will be an asset

• Fluency in a second language

• Ability to speak an Indigenous language is an asset

Work Environment:

• This is a full-time, permanent position
• The position will work a hybrid schedule of 1-2 days in office per week. Remote work opportunities may exist for the right candidate