Program Project Manager

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Location flexible along the Gulf Coast between Baton Rouge, LA and Tampa, FL.

Who We Are

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world working in more than 75 countries and territories. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.

We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Program Project Manager, to be known as the Tyndall Coastal Resilience Project Manager, will be responsible for managing and leading grant-funded efforts to design, engineer, permit, monitor and ultimately implement multiple nature-based solutions in and around Tyndall Air Force Base in Bay County, Florida. This position is part of The Nature Conservancy’s Gulf of Mexico Whole Systems Program and will report to its Director of Restoration. The efforts to enhance the resilience of the natural systems around Tyndall Air Force Base come in the wake of Category 5 Hurricane Michael in 2018, which destroyed nearly the entire base. Nature-based solutions such as living shorelines, oyster reef breakwaters, seagrass and marsh restoration, and beach stabilization are being utilized as a multi-layered defense approach to increase the resilience of the base to changing environmental/climate factors.

Essential Functions

• The Program Project Manager will establish project goals and success factors, and will develop project plans, budgets, metrics and schedules with input and buy-in from key stakeholders and team members.
• They will critically assess project scope and objectives, ensuring all risks and dependencies are addressed in the project plan in order to deliver successful project results that support the fulfillment of the objectives.
• They will work internally and externally on delivery of projects in various environmental sectors focusing on coastal resilience, nature-based solutions and other related projects.
• The Project Manager will obtain go/no-go decisions at all project decision points from the Project Lead or Sponsor and identify and obtain approval for project deliverables from the appropriate staff or teams.
• Throughout the project lifecycle, the Project Manager will monitor and measure project progress, conduct corrective action as necessary, and communicate project status information to all stakeholders.
• They will perform risk management, issue resolution, and conflict management, and collaboratively solve complex problems.
• They will utilize project management methodologies and processes and ensure all organizational and divisional standards are met.
• They will act as a resource to other staff and project managers to provide project management guidance, training, and expertise.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Act independently and in supervisor’s stead, as needed; exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems;
• Coordinate the work of cross-functional, cross-divisional teams towards a desired outcome;
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information;
• Develop, expand, and maintain relationships with city, county, state, federal, and private partners and stakeholders;
• Develop and implement new initiatives that will ensure department and organization-wide goals and strategies are achieved;
• Ensure programmatic commitments, Conservancy policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance; decisions may bind the organization financially or legally;
• Manage project budgets and assist with budget development related to strategic projects;
• Manage and implement multiple complex projects, including managing project teams, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability;
• May manage or participate in complex negotiations;
• Travel occasionally, working long and flexible hours as needed;
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain;
• Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines; and
• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience or equivalent combination;
• 2 years of project management experience or 1 year acting as a project lead;
• Completed coursework or other training on project management principles;
• Experience managing scope, schedule, and budgets for large, complex environmental projects. Experience managing project teams and working with cross-functional staff;
• Experience managing scheduling and financial aspects of small to large projects that range from short to long term;
• Experience using project management techniques and tools, such as Microsoft Project, Gantt charts, Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) charts, Work Breakdown Structure, Network Diagrams, or Critical Path Method (CPM);
• Experience with interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate, influence and persuade; and

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Ability to manage and implement complex processes;
• Experience supervising staff, interns and/or volunteers;
• Proficiency in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data;
• Certification in project management;
• Experience in or understanding of state and federal environmental policies and procedures for NEPA/SEPA documentation;
• Experience working with the Department of Defense; and
• Successful experience implementing strategic program goals.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

What We Bring

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan to include employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health, well-being, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 51168, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.