Vice President, Biodiversity Science

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Champion adaptive management and lead teams to deliver highly visible, high-impact technical projects and/or partnerships within CI and external organizations. 
• Lead and align biodiversity research with CI’s Science Agenda and institutional priorities. 
• Lead strategic planning efforts and directly contribute to the overall Science Division strategic plan including creating 5-to-10-year outcomes, annual work plans, and other strategy documents. 
• Provide leadership and technical expertise in the implementation of CI’s Science division agenda, including engaging scientists in cross-cutting teams for division and/or CI-wide initiatives. 
• Provide leadership and programmatic decision-making in identifying and developing new innovative projects and programs. 
• Lead comprehensive fundraising initiatives, including project proposals and strategic efforts to identify, cultivate, and secure new funding sources, with a target of raising $2-3 million annually to support team and organizational goals. 
• Actively cultivate and engage influential institutional partners. Routinely represent CI at external meetings with partners, donors, foundations, and government officials. 
• Publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals.   
• Develop technical materials and briefings to advise executive leaderships, key external stakeholders, and others on highly complex matters with a global impact. 
• Represent CI in global forums, promoting the integration of biodiversity science into policy, finance, and conservation solutions. 
• Other related duties as assigned.  

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES  

Lead the strategic development of biodiversity science initiatives across four key themes:  

• Nature & Biodiversity Policy: Collaborate with CI’s country programs and policy teams to strengthen policy frameworks such as the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). 
• Nature & Biodiversity Finance/Markets: Advance research on mechanisms to bridge the biodiversity finance gap, including biodiversity credits and science-driven nature market solutions. 
• Biodiversity Co-benefits of NBS: Identify pathways that maximize benefits for carbon, biodiversity, and people while aligning with global biodiversity frameworks. 
• Nature & Biodiversity Monitoring: Develop clear and actionable strategies for nature and biodiversity monitoring and support their implementation.  

Develop and Manage Biodiversity Science Program:

• Oversee the implementation of research programs and projects, ensuring alignment with CI’s Science Agenda and institutional goals. 
• Oversee the development of evidence-based tools and resources to guide biodiversity monitoring, evaluation, and decision-making across CI’s projects and partnerships. 
• Support CI teams in integrating biodiversity science into climate, terrestrial, and oceans initiatives. 
• Manage a team of 10+ biodiversity scientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and impact. 
• Mentor and develop team members to advance their professional growth and contributions to CI’s mission. 
• Cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration within the Science Division and across CI’s regional and global teams.  

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Manage a large or highly-visible program. 
• Fully accountable for the program’s budget and human resources. 
• Effectively manage, engage, and motivate direct reports.  

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is typically performed in an office environment. 
• Frequent international travel of over 25%, often to remote locations.  
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Ph.D. in conservation, environmental, or ecological science or a related field. 
• 15 years or more of broad conservation science or research and other relevant experience, including demonstrated ability to function as an agent of change, strategy development, and program management. 
• Demonstrated (7+ years) experience in biodiversity policy, finance, or conservation markets. 
• 5 or more years of direct supervisory experience and leading cross-organizational teams. 
• Excellent track record in developing, directing, and managing scientific research projects, including mobilizing, and investing resources strategically. 
• Proven ability to fundraise and network, develop and maintain partnerships across a range of stakeholders. 
• Excellent scientific publication record, showing scientific leadership in multiple areas relevant to conservation. 
• Superb communication skills. 
• Ability to work under pressure without compromising scientific standards and high-quality results. 
• Strong capability to motivate and inspire team members, including setting appropriate performance goals and for career development.  

Preferred

• Expertise in biodiversity finance and markets, including biodiversity credits and nature-positive claims. 
• Experience developing biodiversity monitoring and evaluation frameworks. 
• Familiarity with biodiversity co-benefits of nature-based solutions. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and integrate science into actionable solutions. 
• Demonstrated experience securing funds from public and private sources for research and implementation of biodiversity science and nature-positive related programs and projects. 
• Must be resourceful and able to strategically work both independently and through leading and managing teams of researchers from diverse academic disciplines.  

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.