Head of Programme Management

Make an impact on conservation by joining the Wilder Institute! The Wilder Institute is seeking a full-time permanent Senior Manager, Conservation Programs to lead a selection of Conservation Programs in the organization's portfolio as we act for wildlife and engage people to join our efforts.
The Senior Manager, Conservation Programs leads Conservation Program Managers within the assigned Conservation Program portfolio. The Senior Manager uses their expertise in applied conservation and conservation science to coordinate the strategic planning and implementation of those programs for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in collaboration with each Program Manager, including strategies for all associated conservation fieldwork and collaborations with national and international partner organizations, governments and local communities. They will also work closely with the Animal Care, Health and Welfare teams on strategic planning for our conservation breeding work. They stay informed and engaged with national and international frameworks and applied conservation initiatives, forming strong relationships with our partners and key invested parties in collaboration with the Conservation Program Managers to ensure alignment and strong relationships. The Senior Manager maintains oversight of the development and management of budgets prepared by Program Managers for their respective suite of programs, in collaboration with leaders in the Conservation & Science team and the Chief Conservation Officer. The Senior Manager guides their team, Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo staff, and external collaborators on conducting and sharing information about our programs which may include public presentations, reports or co-authoring scientific publications with internal program leaders and external partners.
Provide over-arching expertise, guidance, advice and support for the conservation programs under their management portfolio to Conservation Program Managers and external collaborators
Provide advice and support to other programs within the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo portfolio but not under their management, as required
Work in collaboration with the senior staff of the department and the Chief Conservation Officer on strategic planning for field conservation within Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Support Conservation Program Managers in program planning; Provide guidance in the evaluation of the impacts and risks of collaboration for new conservation programs
Staff Management:
Oversee a team of approximately 4-6 conservation program managers who will contribute individually or in teams to applied conservation activities in the office and in the field. This will include long-term workforce planning in alignment with organizational goals, annual planning for FTEs, hiring, setting pay, directing, mentoring, work flow management, professional development, and evaluation of direct reports within their team
Advise government agencies and other organizations that will consult Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo for advice on conservation initiatives
Represent the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on external conservation committees where there is strategic benefit for advancing species/ecosystem conservation and/or the organization's reputation as a leader in wildlife conservation
Work closely with the Chief Conservation Officer and senior staff to assist in initiating, formalizing and managing national and international partnerships with other organizations for collaborative work
Proactively collaborate with other branches across the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, in particular regarding the conservation programs under their oversight, including breeding programs with the Animal Care, Health and Welfare team and horticulture team, fund development for programs with the Development team, and communications for our programs with the Brand and Engagement Team.
Prepare and provide content, as required, to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's Executive, Development, Finance and other teams as requested. Content may be shared verbally during meetings, in presentations, or in written reports depending on the nature of the request. This work may be done in collaboration with the communications staff of the department or the Conservation Logistics Manager and their team.
Program Management:
Provide guidance to the program managers in developing and managing annual and long-term plans for each conservation program under their team, including planning for coordination of program aspects with internal and external partners, resource and staffing needs, development of proposals and reporting
Support the Chief Conservation Officer, and Associate Director, Conservation and Science Operations, in strategic planning and decision-making by evaluating and recommending future directions in the conservation programs, including associated estimation of staffing, budget requirements, and health/safety issues.
In association with conservation program managers and the Conservation Financial Analyst, plan, develop, track, adjust and administer conservation budgets totaling approximately $3 million, including management and decisions on project(s) and portfolio bases
Support the Chief Conservation Officer, and senior staff of the dept. in developing, monitoring and evaluating branch-wide Key Performance Indicators, as needed
Collaborate with Conservation Logistics Manager and other Senior Managers, Conservation Programs, to support Associate Director and Chief Conservation Officer in overall operations and alignment of the Conservation & Science team including staffing, staff development, and staff performance
Work with the Conservation Logistics Manager to ensure that hazard assessments are developed or updated for programs under their portfolio, as needed.
This involves working with Security to help coordinate any emergency response.
Work with the Program Managers to ensure that they are providing their team with training on safety procedures and letting them know if some team members are regularly missing check-ins.
Travel :
Travel domestically and/or internationally as necessary to carry out any of the responsibilities above
Obtain travel related and visa documents as required by the destination country
Masters in Conservation Science or other related fields is required
At least 10 years of experience working in progressive roles in the field of conservation, with specialized experience and knowledge in applied field conservation, including current knowledge of IUCN best practice and guidelines, and global frameworks such as the KMGBF and CITES. Familiarity with current practice and methods in applied conservation and conservation science
Extensive field experience in conservation programs
Staff management experience required in leading and supporting remote team members
Project management experience required
Budget management experience required
This Senior Manager position requires Intermediate Spanish to support development of Equatorial Guinea Conservation Program
Demonstrated success in developing and fostering beneficial partnerships and positive relationship-building
Experience working in Global South is required including in collaboration with foreign governments, organizations of various sizes, scopes, and focus, and local communities.
Ability to and comfort with public speaking and presenting to diverse audiences of various sizes and knowledge in an accessible way
This position is primarily office-based.
Occasional visits to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's wildlife conservation centres are required (approximately 1 hour outside of Calgary).
At least annual visits to field sites at our conservation programs under this portfolio are required, which will include walking over uneven and rugged terrain, sometimes in adverse weather conditions for long distances.
Approximately once every 1-2 years, this position may be expected to attend international conferences or workshops.
This position is primarily a Monday to Friday job, but occasional work in early mornings, evenings, or weekends may be required, particularly when managing remote staff in Africa.
Hybrid working is available, with a maximum of 2 days per week working from home
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.
Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
A collaborative work environment striving to engage in science-backed and inclusive conservation initiatives
A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals
Are you ready to join one of Canada's leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.
Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (
Submit your resume with an optional cover letter via our online application system.
How would you describe your verbal Spanish level?
How would you describe your written Spanish level?
Tell us about your experience in managing conservation programs with remote teams.

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by June 18, 2025 at 4pm MST .
As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization's mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion , and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.