Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. The Nature Conservancy is an environmental organization dedicated to protecting the lands and waters upon which all life depends. The Program Project Manager will provide strategic project and program support for high-priority, complex initiatives by structuring ambiguous work, aligning stakeholders, establishing governance, and translating strategic priorities into executable plans. The role also develops project management systems, coaches teams, manages risks and budgets, and supports cross-functional execution.
Responsibilities
- The Program Project Manager will provide strategic project and program support for high-priority work including OKR initiatives, Conservation Portfolio Management priorities, and/or other priorities defined by TNC’s Executive Leadership. Using proven team management and project management approaches, they will help senior leaders and client teams clarify purpose, structure ambiguous work, align stakeholders, establish governance and decision pathways, and translate strategic intent into executable plans for medium- to large-scale, complex initiatives that often span departments, programs, and geographies
- The Program Project Manager II will execute fundamental project and program management activities, working with high-priority client teams to define outcomes, success measures, scope, roles, decision rights, risks, dependencies, workstreams, budgets, metrics, schedules, and escalation points with input and buy-in from key stakeholders and team members. They will ensure that project plans incorporate necessary change management activities to mitigate change risks and ensure the adoption of new behaviors required for project success. They will serve as a strategic project management resource and coach, helping clients critically assess the problem to be solved, make trade-offs, anticipate system-level implications, and ensure plans are actionable, sequenced, resourced, and clearly connected to enterprise priorities
- They will develop, configure, or improve practical systems, tools, dashboards, and business processes that create transparency and decision support. These solutions will help teams (1) translate strategy into realistic plans, (2) coordinate execution across functions, (3) identify risks, dependencies, and blockers early, and (4) transparently report progress for learning, accountability, escalation, and problem-solving. They will support teams in adopting and sustaining these tools and practices
- The Program Project Manager II will build governance rhythms, sponsor decision points, and go/no-go decisions into project plans. After the initial set up and structuring of the team’s strategy or project, the Project Manager II may help the client team identify and recruit a long- term Program or Project Manager or short-term Acting Program and Project manager, allowing the Project Manager II to move on to working with a pipeline of high-priority teams needing upfront structuring, planning, and alignment support. As needed and available, at times the Program Project Manager II may re-engage with clients to support risk management, issue resolution, conflict management, decision facilitation, and collaboratively solve complex problems
- They will utilize organizationally approved program, project, and change management methodologies and processes and ensure organizational standards are met. They will act as a master resource to other staff and project managers to provide project management guidance, coaching, training, and expertise
- They will travel occasionally, working long and flexible hours as needed (working outside of normal business hours at least once or twice a week when supporting teams outside their time zones). Their work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain
- Be an expert consultant in the organization’s project management method and bring that expertise to high-priority programs and projects
- Act independently and in supervisor’s stead, as needed; exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems
- Coordinate the work of cross-functional, cross-divisional, cross-geography, and cross-organizational teams towards a desired outcome
- Drives effective partnership between Project Management and Change Management
- Ensures that project plans address people-side and change management needs
- Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information
- Develop and implement the organization’s project management excellence initiative that will ensure department and organization-wide goals and strategies are achieved
- Consult with client teams in ensuring programmatic commitments, Conservancy policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance; decisions may bind the organization financially or legally
- Consult with client teams to manage project budgets and assist with budget development related to strategic projects
- Coach client teams to manage and implement multiple complex projects, including managing project teams, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability
- May manage or participate in complex negotiations
- Travel occasionally, working long and flexible hours as needed
- Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain
- Work is varied and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines; and
- Work within scope of program’s strategic goals
Skills
- • Bachelor's degree and 7 years related experience or equivalent combination
- • 5 years of project management experience or 3 years acting as a project lead
- • Completed coursework or other training on project management principles
- • Direct experience working on and experience consulting on managing and tracking multiple projects, managing and implementing complex processes time management
- • Experience managing project teams and working with cross-functional staff
- • Experience managing scheduling and logistical aspects of medium to large projects that range from short to long term; and directly using and consulting on project management techniques and tools
- • Experience working with a highly matrixed, decentralized and collaborative organization
- • Experience meeting time sensitive deadlines
- • Experience training staff on how to effectively engage with internal and external parties
- • Credentialed certification in Highly Effective Teams® (HET) or Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent program
- • Experience with applying Change Management best practices on projects or partnering with a Change Manager to ensure effective Change Management
- • Familiarity with standard Organizational Change Management practices, models, and deliverables
- • Reputable Change Management certification or designation or formal education/training in Change Management
- • Ability to use project management software (e.g., Smartsheet or equivalent database system) or the ability to quickly learn new software
- • Critical analytical thinking and excellent English writing skills
- • Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise, executive-ready materials
- • Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to negotiate, influence, and persuade without direct authority
- • Experience translating ambiguous objectives into clear outcomes, decision points, workplans, governance structures, and delivery pathways
- • Experience facilitating alignment among senior leaders, sponsors, cross-functional teams, and stakeholders with differing perspectives or priorities
- • Experience identifying and managing system-level risks, dependencies, trade-offs, escalation needs, and organizational implications across complex initiatives
- • Experience connecting project or program execution to strategic outcomes, benefits realization, change adoption, portfolio visibility, or enterprise priorities
- • Ability to write and speak in a language other than English, such as Spanish, Portuguese, French or Chinese, highly desirable
- • Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences
- • NGO experience
- • Ability to acquire quick fluency in the client's global strategy or Business Unit strategy
- • Familiarity and knowledge related to business, governmental, and/or environmental policy and practices pertaining to the global strategy or Business Unit area of focus
- • Experience supervising interns and/or volunteers
- • Ability to develop and drive new ideas and approaches
- • Proficiency in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data
- • Successful experience implementing strategic program goals
Benefits
- Health care benefits
- Flexible spending accounts
- A 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match
- Parental leave
- Accrued paid time off
- Life insurance
- Disability coverage
- Employee assistance program
- Other life and work well-being benefits
- Flexible work environment
Company Overview
Company H1B Sponsorship