Senior Director of External Relationships and Engagement

NYBG Job Description

Title

Reports to

Senior Director of External Relationships and Engagement

Dean of Science

Position Summary:

NYBG in Bronx, NY seeks a Senior Director of External Relationships and Engagement to develop, manage, and expand strategic relationships in international collaboration, strategic communication, global partnership development, and external stakeholder engagement.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Strengthen NYBG’s visibility and participation in national and international biodiversity, conservation, and environmental science initiatives.
• Manage partnerships with governmental bodies, multilateral organizations, academic institutions, philanthropic entities, global agencies, universities, research institutions, and NGOs.
• Lead media engagement and secure funding to advance strategic objectives. Guide science diplomacy initiatives and international policy engagement within environmental governance frameworks.
• Build and manage mission-aligned partnerships and identify opportunities for NYBG Science to lead and contribute to global research projects, collaborations and working groups.
• Foster collaborations with international and multilateral entities advancing biodiversity research and environmental risk management.
• Lead participation in environmental and science-policy dialogues, including nature-based solutions, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge-exchange platforms.
• Maintain relationships with policymakers, donors, corporate partners, community leaders, botanical gardens, biodiversity networks, and environmental organizations to ensure alignment with institutional mission.
• Serve as primary external point of contact and coordinate communications, objectives, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with Advancement to cultivate and steward donor relationships and secure funding from governments, development institutions, foundations, and international organizations.
• Monitor funding trends and priorities in biodiversity and environmental sciences.
• Identify and pursue opportunities across international research and development funding mechanisms, including official development assistance programs and multinational funding platforms.
• Assist in preparation of grant proposals and reports; collaborate with scientists and grants staff to align proposals with strategic priorities and funder requirements.
• Develop and implement communication strategies aligned with science goals. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to prepare press releases, public statements, website content, newsletters, and social media materials. Build media relationships and prepare leaders for public and media engagements.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Communication and Media Studies, Science Communication, International Relations or Public Policy.
• 2 years of experience in job offered or similar occupation.
• Experience managing strategic partnerships in biodiversity, conservation, or environmental research.
• Ability to cultivate relationships with global agencies, policymakers, donors, NGOs, community leaders, governmental bodies, international development agencies and multilateral institutions.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, media relations, and securing funding through grants or donations.
• Knowledge of funding priorities among governments, foundations, and international organizations in biodiversity and environmental sciences.
• Experience leading or supporting grant proposal development and reporting.
• Expertise in strategic communication, science diplomacy, organizational representation, and policy engagement.
• Experience contributing to nature-based solutions or sustainability programs.
• Demonstrable understanding of global environmental governance systems and public policy processes.
• Demonstrable ability to integrate scientific, policy, and societal perspectives into partnerships.
• Expertise in monitoring and evaluating partnership impact and program outcomes.
• Ability to use analytical skills to interpret funding landscapes and strategic opportunities.
• Exceptional cross-cultural communication skills in international and multi-stakeholder environments
• Demonstrable capacity to operate effectively within complex institutional and international collaborative environments.
  
  

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, sit for extended periods of time and work under low, moderate or loud work conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Baseline Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Occasional weekend and evening work may be required.

Salary: $171,766

Benefits:

• 20 Vacation Days
• 13 Paid Holidays
• 12 Sick Days
• Health and Dental Insurance Coverage
• 401K
• Pension Plan
  
  

If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at HR@nybg.org.

EOE