Network Engagement Director - Conservation Finance Network

Department: Conservation Finance Network

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Remote

Reporting To: Executive Director

Compensation: $80,000 - $90,000 / year

Description

POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Executive Director, the Network Engagement Director will advance the Conservation Finance Network’s (CFN) efforts to accelerate the pace and scale of land and resource conservation, restoration, and stewardship by expanding the use of innovative and effective funding and financing strategies The Director will be responsible for continuing to guide establishment of a dynamic network that connects members with CFN and fosters peer-to-peer interaction where members share learnings, inspire each other, and collaborate directly. This includes working in collaboration with the CFN team to lead development of a communications strategy and improvements to our communications channels including our website, bimonthly email newsletter (“ENews”), and other outreach activities. The Director will both develop strategy and collaborate with staff responsible for in-person and online training to activate and deepen the network connections and assist with fundraising to ensure implementation of the organization’s strategic plan. This is a unique opportunity to join a highly motivated and talented team at an exciting point in CFN’s evolution. 
  
THE CONSERVATION FINANCE NETWORK  The Conservation Finance Network (CFN) advances land and resource conservation by cultivating a network that expands the use and replication of innovative and effective funding and financing strategies. We support a vibrant community of practice across the nonprofit, public, philanthropic, and private sectors that shares and incorporates best practices in conservation finance. We achieve our mission through four key strategies: convening practitioners through various training and networking events; connecting practitioners with information, tools, and best practices and with each other; coaching practitioners in best practices, including through partnerships such as those with the U.S. Forest Service’s Cooperative Forestry Program and the Department of Defense’s Sentinel Landscapes Partnership; and catalyzing development of the conservation finance field and replication of innovations within it.  Since its founding in 2007, the CFN has evolved into a vibrant network and go-to resource hub for thousands of practitioners across the country seeking to deploy effective and innovative funding and financing strategies. The Network Engagement Director will play a critical role in the continued growth and evolution of the CFN, strengthening participation and belonging in the network, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of opportunities across the movement and amplifying the stories and impact of the network and its members. 

Primary Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES We understand that each applicant will bring unique skills, knowledge, and experience to this position. Our small but nimble team is open to discussing what each candidate brings to the table and how responsibilities might shift among the team to leverage individual strengths. With that in mind, the primary responsibilities of the Network Engagement Director will include the following: 
 

• Network Building & Expansion (55%): Conduct regular outreach with existing and potential practitioners, partners, and stakeholders to deepen and grow CFN’s network. Design and implement initiatives to engage and connect practitioners with one another to speed learning among them about best practices - e.g., Ask the Expert, Working Groups and “Coffee Klatches” -and develop an alumni program. Evaluate and respond to coaching and technical assistance inquiries if they meet current objectives. 
• Website, Social Media & ENews (20%): Oversee our new website to increase CFN’s visibility and engagement with our network members. The Director will manage content for the site with a primary emphasis on “curating” the material of network members and partners and a lesser focus on creating original content. In partnership with the Executive Director, they will oversee the web’s blog and organization’s bimonthly emailed newsletter (our “ENews”), prune and expand our network mailing list and manage, cultivate, and grow our LinkedIn community and social media. 
• Support on CFN Programming (15%): Support colleagues with other core pr