Nature Foundation is a leading not-for-profit and apolitical organisation that invests in conserving, restoring, and protecting South Australian landscapes, flora, and fauna to ensure their survival.  It has contributed to the protection of more than 1.15 million hectares of South Australia, owns and manages just over 500,000 hectares of terrestrial and wetland ecosystems, and is one of the largest non-government conservation land managers in Australia.

Nature Foundation is seeking an entrepreneurial executive to work closely with the Nature Foundation CEO to develop and implement Nature Foundation’s Strategic Plan, with a particular focus on leading innovative natural capital business development programs that achieve strong conservation, biodiversity, and business growth outcomes. This role also includes executive accountability for further developing Nature Foundation’s First Nations engagement and philanthropic initiatives, as well as growing a portfolio of commercial collaborations that achieve high-impact Nature Positive and conservation outcomes.

Reporting to the CEO and leading a small team, specific responsibilities include:

• Coordinating natural capital related business development initiatives to grow the business and increase program impact, which includes creating a pipeline of projects that deliver recurrent revenue to Nature Foundation;
• contributing to strategic organisational change processes and initiatives that aim to increase the effectiveness and impact of Nature Foundation programs;
• developing and maintaining a strong and diverse network of stakeholder and philanthropic partnerships that support organisational growth and increase program impact;
• coordinating and developing First Nations engagement initiatives across the organisation to achieve community development and conservation outcomes;
• developing visitor engagement initiatives on selected reserves that increase the community impact of reserve conservation programs.

Applications are encouraged from professionals with significant experience in leading Biodiversity and Natural Capital business development initiatives or similar executive management experience leading a portfolio of business development programs and initiatives. Proven executive experience and credibility in delivering stakeholder engagement initiatives, including partnerships with First Nations groups, commercial, government, and non-government organisations, are essential. Tertiary qualifications in science, environmental management, sustainable finance, business management, or another relevant discipline are highly desirable. High levels of financial and political acumen complemented by excellent strategic thinking, relationship building, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills are all necessary to succeed in his role, as are warmth, empathy, good humour, integrity, authenticity and the credibility necessary to inspire others.