Reports to: Vice President, Conservation

Duration: Indeterminate Location: Ottawa (hybrid) preferred, other locations in Canada will be considered Hiring range: $112,569 to $140,711. Compensation above this range may be considered for candidates with significant experience or specialized expertise.  

Who we are

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is a national not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to conserving and inspiring the conservation of Canada’s wildlife and habitats . By developing and delivering educational programs, conducting research, restoring habitat and protecting species at risk, promoting sustainable industry practice, and advocating for effective wildlife policy and regulation, CWF strives for a future in which Canada’s wildlife is conserved for generations to come.    Diversity is a fundamental part of our core values; we create every opportunity to become more inclusive. We encourage applications from qualified candidates from all diverse communities including, but not limited to, Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, and women in non-traditional roles.  

Position Overview

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative conservation leader to join our team as Senior Director, Species and Habitats.

Reporting to the Vice President, Conservation, the Senior Director provides strategic leadership for one of CWF's core conservation portfolios, encompassing terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and community science programs. Working across a diverse range of conservation initiatives, the successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams that advance evidence-based approaches to wildlife conservation through habitat restoration, scientific research, policy and funding advocacy, public engagement, partnership development, and sustainable industry practices. The Senior Director also represents CWF's Species and Habitats portfolio with partners, governments, funders, Indigenous communities and organizations, industry, and other stakeholders, helping to advance collaborative conservation initiatives and organizational priorities.

As a key member of the Conservation leadership team, the Senior Director works closely with the Vice President, Conservation to develop and implement strategic priorities that align with CWF's mission, strategic plan, and organizational objectives. The role provides leadership to directors, managers, specialists, and program staff while ensuring programs are effectively coordinated, appropriately resourced, financially responsible, and delivered to the highest standards of scientific excellence and operational performance. The Senior Director works collaboratively with the Senior Director of Education to find ways to amplify conservation impact through awareness building and education.

A sample of the conservation priorities within the Senior Director’s portfolio include: advancing the use of on-demand fishing gear to reduce entanglement threats to whales and other marine mammals; restoring meadow habitat for pollinators, including improving migratory corridors for Monarchs across North America; large-scale watershed planning to remove critical physical barriers to fish habitat and migration channels; and providing ever-increasing community science opportunities, including through the use of iNaturalist, which CWF manages in Canada.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior conservation professional who combines strategic vision with operational leadership and a collaborative approach to building partnerships, inspiring high-performing teams, and delivering measurable conservation outcomes for wildlife and habitats across Canada.

Duties and Responsibilities

Portfolio Leadership & Planning

• Collaborates with the Vice President, Conservation to establish, refine, and implement strategies, priorities, and objectives for CWF’s Species and Habitats portfolio.
• Leads the development of portfolio-level, multi-year operating plans, workplans, budgets, timelines, and performance measures aligned with approved conservation priorities.
• Provides strategic and technical leadership across terrestrial, freshwater, marine, community science, and related conservation program areas.
• Ensures species and habitat programs are grounded in sound science, evidence-informed practices, and CWF’s organizational priorities.
• Identifies emerging conservation issues, opportunities, risks, and resource requirements within the portfolio and brings forward recommendations to the Vice President, Conservation.
• Supports alignment between species and habitat programming and CWF’s broader conservation, education, advocacy, communications, and funding priorities.

Leadership & Capacity Building

• Provides leadership, coaching, mentorship, performance management, workload direction, and development support to direct reports.
• Supports recruitment, onboarding, training, succession planning, team capacity planning, and professional development in collaboration with the Vice President, Conservation and HR.
• Promotes team cohesion, accountability, collaboration, productivity, psychological safety, and employee well-being.
• Ensures roles, expectations, priorities, and decision-making authorities are clear across the portfolio.

Program Delivery & Operations

• Oversees the ongoing operations of all sub-program areas within the Species and Habitats portfolio.
• Ensures programs and projects are delivered within approved budgets, timelines, milestones, funder requirements, partnership commitments, and intended outcomes.
• Allocates approved portfolio budgets, funding, staffing capacity, and other resources across programs and initiatives.
• Monitors program performance, financial results, operational risks, dependencies, and capacity pressures, implementing solutions or escalating matters where required.
• Supports consistent planning, reporting, documentation, evaluation, and accountability across the portfolio.
• Ensures directors, managers, and program leads have the direction, information, and support required to deliver their areas of responsibility effectively.

Partnerships, Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations

• Develops and maintains strategic and operational partnerships with agencies, conservation organizations, Indigenous communities and organizations, industry partners, funders, academic institutions, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Represents CWF’s Species and Habitats portfolio with partners, funders, government stakeholders, media, and external audiences, within approved organizational positions and in coordination with the Vice President, Conservation.
• Supports advocacy and government relations activities related to species and habitat priorities, including contributing subject matter expertise, policy input, and program information.
• Supports conservation funding opportunities by contributing to proposals, scopes of work, budgets, donor materials, funder reporting, and stewardship activities.
• Negotiates and manages project-level partnership agreements, contractor scopes of work, and collaborative delivery arrangements within delegated authority.
• Escalates significant partnership risks, sensitive external issues, major funding opportunities, or matters with broader organizational implications to the Vice President, Conservation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Works closely with other internal teams to support integrated planning and program delivery.
• Collaborates with the Senior Director, Education and other conservation leaders to identify areas of program synergy for increased conservation impact.
• Provides conservation expertise and portfolio information to support campaigns, proposals, donor materials, media materials, public engagement initiatives, and organizational reporting.
• Provides regular updates, briefings, recommendations, and risk assessments to the Vice President, Conservation.
• Supports executive and Board-related reporting by providing accurate program information, results, risks, and impact data through the Vice President, Conservation or as otherwise required.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in a related field, such as biology, ecology, conservation science, environmental management, natural resource management. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in conservation, environmental management, natural resources, or a related field.
• 5+ years of senior leadership experience overseeing multidisciplinary teams and complex conservation, science, restoration, partnership, advocacy, and/or program delivery initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic planning, operational oversight, and budget management within a complex organization.
• Experience building and maintaining collaborative relationships with governments, Indigenous communities and organizations, conservation partners, funders, industry, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Experience managing multiple funding agreements and delivering programs in accordance with contractual, financial, and reporting requirements.
• Experience representing an organization with senior stakeholders, partners, funders, and external audiences.

Assets

• Bilingualism (English and French).
• Experience working in the non-profit or charitable sector.
• Experience working with or alongside Indigenous communities and organizations in support of conservation initiatives.
• Knowledge of conservation policy, environmental legislation, and regulatory frameworks.
• Established relationships within conservation, government, academic, philanthropic, or environmental sectors.
• Experience securing or supporting major grants, philanthropic funding, or government funding proposals.
• Professional designation or membership with a relevant scientific or environmental association.

Work Conditions

• Full-time at 37.5 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. Overtime may be required on evenings and weekends for urgent situations or travel.
• Hiring salary can range from $112,569 to $140,711. Compensation above this range may be considered for candidates with significant experience or specialized expertise.
• Location: Ideally based out of CWF’s Head Office in Ottawa, ON (Kanata), with hybrid flexibility to work-from-home two consecutive days per week. Remote candidates outside of Ottawa can be considered.
• Cross-country travel for site visits and meetings when required, including urban and remote areas (up to monthly at times).
• Frequent sitting at a computer and use of peripherals.
• May experience stress from conflicting demands, unpredictable events that require time-sensitive solutions, or emotionally charged situations.

Why work with us?

• We are a rapidly growing team of forward-thinking individuals who all share a common passion: wildlife and habitat!
• Office located in the quiet suburbs of Kanata which includes a kitchen lounge, living plant wall, and outdoor demonstration gardens.
• Friendly and casual work environment.
• Opportunity to expand your network of conservation and program experts.
• We are committed to work-life balance.
• We are committed to building a more diverse workforce.
• Relevant professional development opportunities for career growth.
• We offer a competitive benefits plan at no cost to employees which include health, dental, vision, and LTD. Enrollment to Employee Assistance Program.
• We offer Group RSP enrollment with up to 5% matching.
• 13 paid stat holidays per year.
• Generous time-off policies include paid vacation days, sick days, float days, and appointment time.
• Complimentary subscription to our Canadian Wildlife magazine.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 11, 2026

  HOW TO APPLY: Cover letter and resume should be submitted. Only the candidates who meet the requirements and are selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank you for your interest in the Canadian Wildlife Federation!

AODA Statement: CWF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive, accessible hiring process. Please notify the HR Department if you require any accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

AI Statement: CWF does not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by human members of our hiring team.