This is your opportunity to lead a collaborative team driven to create an impact on national and global conservation initiatives! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a Director, Field Conservation & Science who will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of field conservation aspects and major initiatives by leading the Conservation & Science branch.
The Director will lead the inclusive planning and expansion of our conservation programs portfolio, including the Wilder Canada Action Plan and the IUCN Centre for Species Survival – Human Dimensions, as well as the review and expansion of our current programs. This role serves as a member of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (WICZ) Leadership Team, where in they will collaborate with the Chief Conservation Officer (CCO) and the other WICZ leadership team to shape organizational goals, ensuring that conservation objectives are integrated across the organization’s work. The Director will manage a talented team of conservation professionals, collaborate with external partners, and ensure that Wilder Institute’s work has both local and global impact. This role will act as the key liaison between the Conservation & Science (C&S) branch and other branches within the WICZ, working to build relationships that lead to impactful conservation work.
The successful candidate will bring experience in global conservation work, with knowledge and experience of working in the Global South as well as in Canada. They will design and implement conservation programs that will be based-on and contributing to international conservation frameworks and targets. Similar programs will be designed, implements and evaluated within the Canadian context, using Canadian conservation goals and frameworks. They will be able to provide expert guidance to the C&S team on conservation priorities and opportunities to address threats to species at risk in Canada and abroad. They will connect with their existing network of collaborators and contacts in the global conservation sector to help grow our conservation impact. They will apply a democratic leadership style that uses consultation and input from invested parties for decision-making and process development.
Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.
Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.
What you will do:
- Operate as an integrated member of the organization’s senior leadership team, maintaining and building on the Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo (WICZ) purpose, which includes completing monthly action items and participating in regular organizational events.
- Supervision of staff (both Calgary and remote-based), including supporting their work and their portfolio-specific goals, identifying and removing roadblocks, supporting with needed resources, providing mentorship, helping them to expand their skills and networks, etc.
- Lead with a human-first approach, recruiting, mentoring and managing a high performing, multidisciplinary team with empathy and integrity.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to all C&S staff, and WICZ staff and volunteers on areas related to our applied conservation action and strategic priorities.
- Ensure effective planning and management of the conservation programs and initiatives within the branch by C&S staff
- Set branch performance targets, monitor, interpret and report on goal progress and outcomes to relevant levels of the Wilder Institute team as well as other relevant parties
- Provide recommendations and guidance to executive leadership on conservation and environmental risks, opportunities and trends to inform strategic planning
- Work in collaboration with CCO, Associate Director Conservation & Science Operations, and C&S team on the operational and administrative aspects of partnership development and management
- Establish relationships locally, nationally, and internationally with professional organizations, agencies and institutions with aligned interests and goals to share ideas and to build solid partnerships and alliances
- Uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethics, and international compliance, while translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders, always communicating with empathy and clarity.
- Represent Wilder Institute in external forums promoting the organization’s conservation objectives.
- Encourage cooperative relationships with all departments of the organization, specifically taking a leadership role in strategically increasing internal staff and volunteer awareness of WI work as an AZA institution, IUCN member and global wildlife conservation practitioner
- Work with other branch Directors to ensure productive and collaborative work is undertaken across the organization for all initiatives or programs that are interdepartmental (e.g., Animal Care, Health and Welfare; Development; Communications; Human Resources, etc.).
- Develop business cases and lead internal discussions supporting budgets and new positions in collaboration with the AD C&SO.
- Contribute to quarterly CCO reports and other required reporting, including overseeing the preparation of any materials needed or presentations.
- Other duties as requested
What you will bring:
- A master’s degree in Conservation Science, Anthropology or related discipline is required; a doctorate in Conservation Science, Anthropology or related discipline is an asset.
- At least 10 years of experience required in the applied conservation sector, with extensive knowledge of global conservation issues, project management and program monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience in effective staff management and engagement (including remote staff), leadership and communication to a variety of audiences, particularly governments, local communities, donors and the wider public.
- Demonstrated experience driving conservation impact while supporting staff in a fast-paced work environment.
- Wilder Institute is focused on inclusive conservation and co-development of initiatives at all stages of the conservation program cycle. Thus, the successful candidate will have demonstrated experience building and nurturing strong relationships with local, regional, and global partners, including government agencies, Indigenous and local communities, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions.
- Community engagement experience and experience in program co-development with communities throughout all stages of program development, implementation and evaluation
- Community engagement and experience in program co-development with communities
- Experience in strategic program development in alignment with institutional priorities, and in measuring the impact of applied conservation programs.
- Experience developing, managing and forecasting for $5-10 million budgets.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey scientific information to non-technical audiences, are also critical skills for this role.
- Working knowledge of Spanish or French is an asset but not required.
Working Conditions:
- Primarily office-based work at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
- 3-6 field visits per year (national and international)
- In office 4 days/week on average and 1 days/week from home, with flexibility for occasional changes to schedule as needed, in line with WICZ Remote Work Policy
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.
What the Zoo Offers:
- Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
- Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
- Employer matching RRSP program
- Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
- Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
- Make meaningful contributions toward science-backed and collaborative conservation initiatives
- A fun, rewarding work environment while working closely with passionate team members
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.
Apply by doing the following:
- Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
- Visit wilderinstitute.org to learn more about our current conservation initiatives in Canada and abroad
- Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.
- Fill in the Application questions:
- If hired, when would you be available to start?
- If hired, what are your salary expectations for this position?
- Please briefly summarize your experience growing and managing conservation programs internationally. If you have experience working in the Global South, please describe which countries and in what capacity.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online September 19, 2025 at 4pm MST.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. 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.
All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
