Conservation Director of Research

Description

Responsible for the leadership and effectiveness of the Southeastern Center for Conservation (SECC) Research team, which produces world-class scientific research with important practical applications to advance plant conservation. Provide strategic leadership, in cooperation with the Vice President of Conservation & Research and Director of Applied Conservation, to set and meet program objectives and priorities. The mission of the SECC is to lead innovative strategies and partnerships to conserve imperiled plants and natural communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

•  In collaboration with the Vice President of Conservation & Research and Director of Applied Conservation, lead strategic development and implementation of objectives for scientific research, training, and outreach opportunities for scientists, students, and professionals in the Southeastern Center for Conservation (SECC)
• Develop, coordinate, and implement the Garden’s research strategic plan, including conservation genetics, community ecology, restoration, seed bank, and in vitro research programs
• Appraises, evaluates, and reports the Department’s activities and results on a regular, systematic basis.
• Fosters a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; maximizes contributions during work hours.

Funding

• In partnership with the Vice President and other leadership staff, support institutional fundraising
• Work both independently and/or collaboratively with Vice President and Research Staff to obtain funding for research projects through grants and private sources
• Develops a sustainable research operating budget aligned with available resources.
• Carries out and coordinates efforts to identify funding sources and prepares and submits proposals to raise funds to support initiatives within the SECC, including raising funds for the Director’s independent research program and supporting the Research Scientists with funding proposals.

Staff Management & Project Management

• Provides leadership to, and directly manages the program’s team of research scientists.
• Leads and supports individual research scientists for maximum productivity in research, research funding, peer-reviewed scientific publications, service to professional communities, and public outreach.
• Ensures that all project deliverables are being completed in a timely manner, challenges are appropriately met, research staff are appropriately completing tasks, and grant budgets are being adhered to
• Supervises the research scientists and their support staff. Duties include recruitment and selection, scheduling and job assignments, performance feedback, and staff development and training in keeping with the SECC’s policies and procedures.
• Administers the research team to ensure effective research safety, fiscal planning and management, grant and contract reporting, personnel management, decision making, communication, staff recruitment and training, and adherence to Gardens policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within the Department and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors, and employees.
• Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and is adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots, and takes appropriate actions; follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues’ concerns

Outreach

• Develops and pursues opportunities for research, collaboration, funding, and enhanced relationships with appropriate agencies, people, and institutions, in line with Garden and SECC direction and priorities.
• Initiates, cultivates and sustains partnerships that enable long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between the Department and other entities, including within the Garden as well as universities, botanical research institutions, communities, other scientific organizations and the private sector.
• Writes, reviews, and facilitates grant proposals, institutional reports, and publicity materials
• Establishes and maintains contact with professionals, community networks, professional organizations and other institutions with interests similar to those of the Department in an effort to promote strengthened collaboration.

Research

• Conducts own research in an area of strategic importance to the Garden, while establishing a nationally and internationally recognized program.
• Presents and communicates findings to professional and academic