How to apply for Rising Wildlife Leaders - Manager

About Wildlife Conservation Network

Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) is a rapidly growing leader in wildlife conservation, protecting endangered wildlife by supporting conservationists who ensure wildlife and people coexist and thrive. WCN raises philanthropic funding and channels it through three pillars: a vetted network of Conservation Partners, species-focused Wildlife Funds, and the Rising Wildlife Leaders (RWL) program. Working here means being part of a nimble, collaborative team that connects conservationists with donors and each other, deploying funds quickly and equipping leaders with the tools they need to succeed.

About the role

The Rising Wildlife Leaders Manager runs WCN's scholarships, internships, and the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) programs, managing cohorts and alumni, administering awards and agreements, and leading trainings, mentorship, and networking. This role is the connective tissue between RWL's programs and participants, WCN's donors, and the broader conservation community. It is impactful because it directly builds the next generation of conservation leaders, ensuring the long-term sustainability of wildlife conservation efforts worldwide.

A typical day

A typical day might involve coordinating with RWL participants across time zones, reviewing scholarship applications, planning logistics for the next EWCL convening, and meeting with WCN's development team to align on donor reporting. You might also facilitate a virtual mentorship session, update alumni records, or draft an agreement for a new partner. The role blends program strategy, participant support, and administrative tasks, all in service of building a global community of conservation leaders.

Who Wildlife Conservation Network is looking for

• Demonstrated experience managing multi-year leadership development programs, including cohort-based learning, mentorship, and alumni engagement.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to administer awards, agreements, and budgets efficiently and accurately.
• Experience designing and facilitating trainings, workshops, and in-person convenings, ideally in a conservation or nonprofit context.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including conservationists, donors, and partners across 60+ countries.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific experience with cohort-based leadership programs, scholarships, or internships—especially if you've managed alumni networks or multi-year program cycles.
• Quantify your impact: e.g., 'Managed 50+ scholarships annually' or 'Organized a 5-day convening for 100 participants.' WCN values nimble, results-oriented work.
• Show familiarity with WCN's three pillars and how RWL fits into the broader conservation ecosystem. Mention specific programs like EWCL or RWL in your cover letter.
• Demonstrate cross-cultural competency and remote collaboration skills, as you'll work with conservationists in over 60 countries and a remote US-based team.
• Emphasize your ability to handle administrative tasks (awards, agreements) alongside programmatic work—this role requires both high-level strategy and attention to detail.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience managing leadership development programs, including cohort management, mentorship, and alumni engagement.', "Your ability to design and facilitate impactful trainings and in-person convenings, such as EWCL's flagship event.", 'Your track record of administering awards, agreements, and budgets with accuracy and efficiency.', 'Your passion for conservation and understanding of how leadership development supports long-term conservation success.']

Research before applying

• Study WCN's three pillars (Conservation Partners, Wildlife Funds, Rising Wildlife Leaders) and understand how they interact. Visit their website and read recent annual reports.
• Learn about the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) program: its history, structure, and impact on participants.
• Research WCN's Conservation Partners and Wildlife Funds to understand the species and regions they support, as this context is crucial for RWL programming.
• Look up recent news or publications about WCN's growth and strategic priorities, especially any expansions in the RWL program.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach managing multiple cohorts of emerging conservation leaders across different time zones and cultures?
• Describe a time you designed and facilitated a training or convening that had a measurable impact on participants. What was your process?
• How would you handle the administrative side of awards and agreements, ensuring compliance and timely disbursement?
• What strategies would you use to engage and maintain an active alumni network for RWL participants?
• How do you see the RWL program fitting into WCN's broader mission, and how would you collaborate with other pillars like Conservation Partners and Wildlife Funds?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on program management without mentioning conservation or wildlife—this role requires genuine passion for the mission.
• Neglecting to highlight experience with remote work and cross-cultural collaboration, which are essential for this global role.
• Underestimating the administrative component: failing to show willingness or ability to handle awards, agreements, and budgets will be a red flag.