Regenerative Ranching Program Director, Sustainable Northwest

Job Title: Regenerative Ranching Program Director

Organization: Sustainable Northwest

Organization Overview: Sustainable Northwest (SNW) is a Portland-based regional conservation organization dedicated to natural resource solutions that work for people and nature. The group is a regional leader in collaborative natural resource management and market-based innovations, having facilitated nationally recognized forest, water resource, and renewable energy management plans and business models. Country Natural Beef (CNB) is a cooperative of over 100 progressive family ranches that manage several million acres in the West. The ranchers collaborate to produce, sell, and market high-quality natural beef in a regenerative manner. The cooperative has been a leader and innovator in adopting cutting edge attributes and meaningful management practices.

Responsibilities:

  •  Serve as the principal strategist and planner for the Regenerative Ranching Program.
  • Lead an interdisciplinary team of process, ecology, and finance specialists to provide strategies, resources, program services, and technical assistance to participating ranchers.
  • Develop and update strategic program direction, work plans, and budgets, including investigation into new project opportunities.
  • Interface and coordinate closely with CNB program manager in key aspects of program design, management, and performance.
  • Lead and communicate with CNB program manager in development of scope of work for and oversight of contractors responsible for program baseline sampling, enrollment, verification, and monitoring functions.
  • Coordinate with CNB program manager to nominate technical service providers (TSPs) and establish an approval process for their credentials.
  • Support fundraising for the Regenerative Ranching Program by identifying potential funders, communicating with foundation program officers, conducting grant writing and reporting, and communicating with donors.
  • Manage financial aspects of the Regenerative Ranching Program, including development and management of the annual program budget ($500,000+ annually), processing of invoices, and tracking of expenditures.
  • Serve as a liaison and brand representative to ecosystem service credit marketplaces, and assist in the cultivation and coordination of corporate, government, and philanthropic sponsorships and partnerships.
  • Cultivate relationships and partnerships with NGOs, university, government, and private sector entities to promote services, benefits, and build the brand identity for the Regenerative Ranching Program.
  • Advocate for federal and state regenerative ranching programs and rules designed to address the priority needs of ranchers adopting regenerative practices, including by drafting and submitting comments to federal and state entities.
  • Coordinate with CNB program manager to collect program data from participating ranchers and contractors and organize, interpret, and summarize program data for verification, public presentation, and recommended management actions/adjustments.
  • Coordinate with SNW and CNB communications staff to develop internal and external communications content from program data.
  • Participate in general meetings, events, and activities relevant to the Regenerative Ranching Program, and to overall organizational progress.

Qualifications:

  • Degree or commensurate experience in range/agricultural management, marketing, or a similar field.
  • Experience in range or pasture management and participated in monitoring or certification programs.
  • Passionate about regenerative agriculture, demonstrated through relevant experience.
  • Proficient understanding of ecosystem service marketplaces and credit systems.
  • Willingness and ability to travel (~20%)

Skills and Expertise:

  • Strong written and oral communication skills; position requires public engagement.
  • Strong fundraising experience, including grant writing and reporting.
  • Experience supervising staff and contractors with a strong emphasis on team building and project roll-out.
  • Experience in project and financial management.
  • Strong leadership and project management skills, to drive and manage multiple activities, prioritize, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
  • Rigorous data analysis capability and financial acumen.
  • Excellent time-management and organizational, written, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and proactively, and manage difficult work situations while also demonstrating commitment to working in a team environment, internally and externally.
  • Highly organized and intellectually curious.
  • Able to lead and to delegate.
  • Willing to be flexible and adaptive when needed.
  • Strong sense of self-awareness and self-assessment; readily willing to seek advice and input from others (Board, staff, outside specialists, etc.)
Salary/pay: $80,000-$89,000 DOE

Preferred Start Date: March 8

Application Deadline: January 28 at 5 p.m.

How to Apply: Send an email with ‘Regenerative Ranching Program Director’ in the subject line. Email cover letter, resume, and one writing sample to Hannah Meganck at hmeganck@sustainablenorthwest.org. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. No phone calls or email inquiries, please. They will begin reviewing applications on January 31, 2022. Interview questions will be provided in advance. References will be requested of finalist candidates.

 

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