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Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. NWF’s mission is to unite everyone living in America to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Lead Architect to join our Innovation and Partnerships team. This position will lead NWF’s national hub of landscape design services that integrate an environmental vision of natural resource management and sustainability, elevate diverse community values, and foster access to and stewardship of the natural world by creating unique places that align with our programs, certifications (Certified Wildlife Habitat®, Schoolyard Habitat® and Nature Play Space™) and mission work. The role will serve in an organization-wide leadership capacity in the pursuit and implementation of design work through exceptional vision, project documentation, planning, business development, and/or project management. Responsible for landscape architecture, planning and project management services for a wide variety of private and public partners, this individual will curate messaging and marketing strategies that further build a national movement for equitable access to sustainable, biologically diverse and healthy outdoor spaces that benefit wildlife and foster a connection with nature for all ages.

The Lead Architect reports to the Head of Innovation and Partnerships and collaborates with teams across the Federation (including Education and Engagement, Environmental Justice, Philanthropy, Science, and Regional Centers and affiliates). The Innovation and Partnerships team identifies, cultivates and maintains cross-cutting relationships with industry and community leaders -- across many sectors (philanthropy, business, tech and media), who elevate our mission work as outlined in the strategic plan by driving revenue, enhancing visibility, storytelling and brand experience; and exemplifying innovative and new ways of solving environmental issues and delivering outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a licensed landscape architect with experience in project management and a portfolio of sustainable landscape, habitat restoration, parks and playground design projects for public and private partners. They should demonstrate the ability to operate with independence and to meet deadlines and commitments. They will proactively elevate and support the organization’s programmatic and mission work through design and stakeholder engagement.

Principal Responsibilities and Duties:

• Oversee an existing portfolio and cultivate new landscape and restoration projects (parks, playgrounds, recreational corridors, urban plazas, and streetscapes) where people live, learn, work and play, focusing on nature-based solutions and climate resiliency;
• Assist with financial outcomes needed to advance NWF’s landscape design practice and suite of certification programs: Wildlife Habitat®, Schoolyard Habitat®, Community and Nature Play Space™;
• Identify, cultivate and implement a range of revenue-generating projects including government and private sector contracts;
• Maintain authentic partnerships with affiliates, community leaders, and prospective partners; serve as an ambassador for NWF’s habitat restoration, nature play and landscape design and engagement work; and
• Oversee the current collective design and construction portfolio of projects ranging from $7.5 million to $10 million annually while performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited landscape architecture program or master’s degree or dual degrees in both landscape architecture and urban design or planning (preferred), and a license to practice landscape architecture
• AICP certification or experience in urban planning/community engagement preferred.
• 5+ years of professional experience
• Strong skills in planning and urban design, site design, and familiarity with construction observation
• Demonstrated ability in project management and business development
• Successful management of projects from conceptual design through completion of construction documents
• Proven experience producing drawings and specifications from the schematic stage through construction observation
• Self-motivated with the ability and desire to lead others in the design and construction documentation/construction observation process
• Proven collaboration and relationship-building skills and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, funders, and partners
• Highly-developed communication skills, including client services, inter-personal and public speaking experience, and the ability to effectively communicate ideas across disciplines in writing, speaking and graphic design.
• Operational knowledge of Microsoft Office, AutoCAD and digital rendering software including but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strategic thinking with demonstrated passion for developing and implementing system-change strategies across multiple sectors.

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized;
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions;
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission.

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized.
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions.
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them.
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Travel Requirements:

Travel is estimated at approximately 2-3 trips per month, mostly for site visits and relationship building with stakeholders, funders or partners.

Location and Work Mode:

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work in the office, in a hybrid manner, or fully remote, to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $100,000, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), 10 holidays, and 3 floating holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

COVID Consideration:

The National Wildlife Federation closely follows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease and has implemented processes that promote the safety of our employees, candidates, and communities. Proof of vaccination will be required to join the National Wildlife Federation.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.