Southeast Director of Sustainable Forest Partnerships

Job Type
Full-time

Title: Southeast Director of Sustainable Forest Partnerships

Supervisor: Southeast Regional Director

Location: Centrally located in the Southeastern US (Good access to airport)

Salary: Estimated at $100,300 annually; based on experience

Term of Position:
This position is supported through outside funding commitments and is subject to periodic reviews to confirm the continuation of funding. The role includes collaboration with our Development team to help ensure sustained support; however, ongoing employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding and partner commitments.

Application Deadline: October 8th, 2025

Position Summary

This is a full-time position with American Bird Conservancy (ABC). American Bird Conservancy is a fast-growing, results-focused nonprofit seeking employees with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a difference for birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Inspired by the wonder of birds, ABC achieves lasting results for the bird species most in need while also benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and the planet’s fragile climate.

The Southeast Director of Sustainable Forest Partnerships is a key leader within ABC’s Southeast Regional Program, responsible for integrating bird conservation into forest management throughout the southeastern U.S. This role is highly collaborative, focusing on building strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including corporate entities, private landowners, government agencies, and other conservation organizations. The Director’s primary goal is to advance conservation efforts for forest birds by promoting and implementing Bird-Friendly Forest practices and leveraging the concept of Ambassador Birds to raise awareness and engagement.

Primary Duties

Integrate science-based conservation recommendations into sustainable forest management guidelines and tools designed for on-the-ground practitioners. Transfer this information to managers and other practitioners through education and outreach (workshops, forest tours, presentations, articles, etc.).

Work with corporate partners to develop robust monitoring and biodiversity frameworks that demonstrate the value of sustainably managed forests to bird and nature conservation, ecosystem services, and climate resilience while respecting investor expectations.

Partner with federal, state, and private organizations to advance conservation across various ownerships through management, restoration, and enhancement of forest and woodland habitats that support regionally, nationally, and internationally important bird species.

Collaborate with the Southeast Regional Director and the Vice President of Advocacy and Threats to shape and advance ABC’s eastern forest conservation policy, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and on-the-ground conservation goals.

Promote the concept of Ambassador Birds to increase acceptance of Bird-Friendly Forest practices and engage landowners, forest managers, customers, wood suppliers, and communities in forest bird conservation.

Work throughout the forest products and forest investment supply chain to raise awareness of sustainably managed forests, including engagement with landowners, managers, suppliers, corporate staff, and global customers.

Develop working relationships with forestry and wildlife professionals, NGOs, agencies, and others to promote bird-friendly forest management and organize training workshops with partner resource managers.

Lead efforts to develop a Bachman’s Sparrow Working Group following the principles of the Road to Recovery approach. Promote application of the working group approach to other species that rely on Southeastern forest habitats, integrating BirdScapes implementation to achieve conservation objectives.

Develop and maintain inclusive partnerships with conservation partners to deliver programs addressing population declines in forest bird species. Serve as a resource for partners, identifying shared objectives and communicating regularly on projects and progress.

Work closely with ABC’s Development team to increase funding capacity for programs and projects led by ABC and partners. Develop funding agreements and track deliverables for reporting.

Supervise, mentor, and support staff engaged in sustainable forest management to benefit birds, as needed.

Benefits

American Bird Conservancy fosters a mission-driven, collaborative, and supportive workplace where staff are respected, empowered, and connected by a shared purpose. ABC offers strong benefits, a 35-hour work week, generous leave policies, and flexible, remote-friendly work arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance.

Excellent benefits package includes medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, employer-matched retirement savings, flexible schedule, etc.

Paid vacation (starting at 15 days annually and increasing to 20 days after 1 year), paid holidays (both US and ABC holidays), and sick leave.

Lodging, meals, and transportation covered for work-related travel away from home when applicable.

Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement where applicable.

To Apply

Please apply online at Paylocity.

If you have any difficulties uploading your resume and cover letter, send them as one document to [email protected]
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* ABC aligns compensation with local market rates to ensure internal equity and fairness across our distributed workforce.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At American Bird Conservancy, we believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills makes us more effective. We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment for all employees.

As an equal opportunity employer, ABC ensures that employees and applicants have equal opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor unrelated to the requirements of the position.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher (or equivalent experience) in forestry, wildlife ecology, conservation biology, or related field with a minimum of five years of professional experience.

Understanding of forestry and silviculture, conservation implementation, habitat management, ornithology, and/or wildlife biology.

Knowledge of ecology and natural resource issues of the Southeastern U.S., especially of neotropical migrant and resident birds.

Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis tools (e.g., ArcGIS) to support conservation planning and habitat prioritization.

Entrepreneurial approach to achieving conservation objectives; ability to develop innovative solutions.

Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Strong networking, communication (presentation, interpersonal, reading, writing), project management, and leadership skills.

Results-oriented with demonstrated ability to accomplish ambitious conservation objectives.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize, work independently, efficiently and accurately, and meet deadlines.

Demonstrated leadership, creativity, and ability to translate strategic ideas into sustainable conservation initiatives.

Experience writing grant proposals and cultivating donors.

Program management experience including budget and personnel processes; excellent planning and team-building skills.

Strong written and oral communication skills adaptable to diverse audiences.

Willingness to travel, including to remote locations.

Proficiency with computers, software, GIS, and databases.

All remote and hybrid employees must have stable, high-speed internet (ideal: 30–40 Mbps download, 10–15 Mbps upload).

May need to use personal cell phone to access ABC systems remotely.

Authorized to work in the US or Permanent Resident.

Background screening required.

Salary: Estimated at $100,300 annually based on experience