Project Manager (Remote) - NatureServe

ABOUT NATURESERVE:   

NatureServe, a nonprofit conservation science and technology organization, unlocks the power of science to guide biodiversity conservation. With an international network of over 60 natural heritage programs across the United States and Canada, NatureServe is the leading source of information on rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems. To protect threatened biodiversity, NatureServe works with over 1,000 conservation professionals to collect, aggregate, and standardize biodiversity statistics, providing comprehensive data to the public for strategic conservation efforts. NatureServe and its network programs develop and manage the most comprehensive data for over 100,000 species and ecosystems, answering fundamental questions about what biodiversity exists, where it is found, and how it is doing.  

DESCRIPTION:   

NatureServe is seeking to hire a project manager to plan and manage a portfolio of major grants and contracts that help our partners from federal, state, and international governments, industry, and nongovernmental organizations apply NatureServe’s data, analyses, and scientific expertise to support their conservation and resource management activities. The project manager will oversee a variety of projects ranging from development of online biodiversity indicator dashboards to development of bespoke analyses to support federal land management needs. The project manager plans and coordinates activities of various projects to ensure that project goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frames and funding parameters. They will work with NatureServe division leadership and subject matter experts to develop project proposals and work plans including objectives, tasks, schedule, and budget. Once projects have been awarded, they will use established tools to track project progress, manage assignment of project personnel, oversee subcontracts including third-party consulting support, and ensure the client communications, including production of final reports and other deliverables, reflect the professionalism and scientific integrity for which NatureServe is known. 

This role is within the Conservation Science division of NatureServe. In addition to project management responsibilities, the project manager may occasionally support division leadership in administrative duties related to allocating workloads and tracking communication with partners and clients.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Develop comprehensive project plans shared with clients and other staff members to identify project team and client responsibilities and help guide and track progress. 

• Meet with clients regularly to review deliverables and clarify requirements. 

• Closely monitor and track progress and manage any necessary changes to the project scope, schedule, and costs throughout project life. 

• With division leadership, coordinate internal resources and third-party services to ensure resource availability and proper allocation for successful project execution. 

• Work closely with the project team to create and maintain project documentation. 

• Report and escalate critical issues to management as needed. 

• Ensure that all projects are conducted with integrity and delivered on time, within scope and within budget. 

• Assist in the development of project proposals by contributing to the definition of project scope, objectives, schedule, and budget. 

• Leverage technical platforms, including Jira Works Management (JWM), Deltek, and Salesforce, to support key project management tasks related to progress tracking, personnel allocation, and external communication.  

• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff, Science and other division leaders.  

The essential job functions listed above are not meant to be all-inclusive and may be subject to change at any time. 

ESSENTIAL SKILLS: 

• Demonstrated project management experience. 

• Highly organized with ability to manage/resolve and book complex schedules and meetings with partners in multiple time zones, track multiple deadlines, and otherwise manage competing demands. 

• Ability to manage and forecast complex budgets and manage project funding allocations.  

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Ability to work with a wide range of scientists and others on project planning and execution. 

• Interest in developing proficiency in a range of technical platforms. 

PREFERRED SKILLS: 

• Background in conservation biology, ecology, or natural resources management 

• Proficiency with platforms such as JWM, Deltek, and/or Salesforce  

• Project Management Professional certification 

• Ability to travel. 

• Experience in facilitating meetings and workshop components. 

• Experience in design and analyzing surveys.

BENEFITS:

NatureServe offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to conform to standard office hours. 

• Typing and repetitive motions associated with computer keyboarding responsibilities 

• Ability to travel occasionally