Executive Director: Conservation Operations; Level 13 - Head Office, Bridgetown

Executive Director:
Conservation Operations (Level 13) - Head Office, Bridgetown

Cape Nature seeks to appoint an Executive Director for its Conservation Operations portfolio. This Executive Director provides strategic direction in the implementation of conservation actions across landscapes and includes reserve operations. The Executive Director responds directly to the Entity’s vision, mission, and legislative mandates described in the Strategic and Annual Performance Plans. The successful candidate will have exceptional leadership, management, communication, and technical ability to guide Cape Nature in the implementation of holistic conservation actions in the Western Cape.

• Manage and expand Cape Nature’s Protected Area estate
• Develop and implement conservation actions
• Facilitate and enable access, sustainable use, community beneficiation and participation in the Western Cape biodiversity economy
• Implement compliance and enforcement in accordance with the Western Cape Biodiversity Act and other relevant provincial and national environmental legislation.

• Provide strategic direction and management of conservation actions to enhance biodiversity resilience, mitigate loss, build ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives
• Coordinate the compilation and management of budgets, monitor cash flow, institute risk management and supply chain processes to achieve business objectives
• Direct, lead and manage the Directorate’s people, relationships and teams to achieve organisational goals
• Provide strategic direction and lead actions to advocate for behavioural change and promote voluntary compliance
• Provide strategic transversal integration and operationalisation across the related Cape Nature Directorates
• Provide strategic leadership and participation in stakeholder engagement.

• Post graduate qualification in the conservation/biodiversity/environmental/ social studies fields
• At least five years’ senior management experience in the Conservation Sector (Dept. of Public Service Administration Post Levels 11 and 12)
• A valid EB (08) driver’s license
• Bilingualism in at least two of the official languages of the Western Cape
• Experience in contributing to strategies and plans
• Strong understanding of corporate finance and measures of performance
• Extensive knowledge of corporate governance principles and managerial best practices
• Outstanding organisation and leadership abilities
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and public speaking skills.

• 24 days of annual leave per annual leave cycle
• Comprehensive benefits for death, critical illness or injury linked to the Pension Fund for Cape Nature employees
• Staff discounts of up to 50% on Cape Nature accommodation at reserves across the Western Cape
• Opportunities for career progression and development through internal and external training interventions, and academic growth through the internal Cape Nature Bursary Programme subject to Bursary Policy guidelines
• Free access to Cape Nature’s Wellness Partner for you and your immediate household which includes professional counselling, financial, legal and health related advice; and
• The opportunity to positively impact the environment and promote a sustainable future.

It is compulsory to become a member of the Cape Nature Pension Fund. If you are an existing member of a medical aid you are required to provide a copy of such membership before the commencement of your employment with Cape Nature.

Only suitable candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

Cape Nature reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise a post should it be deemed necessary within its sole discretion.

Cape Nature aligns with the Employment Equity Act and internal HR Policies.

The functions of this post will require travel within the Western Cape.

* Remuneration negotiable within the range provided, depending on current remuneration package.