National Manager, Land and Freshwater Full Time NEW

POSITION TYPE: Permanent, full time
LOCATION: Ottawa, Ontario (remote work possible)
LANGUAGE: Excellence in English or French required – written, oral, and comprehension. Bilingualism is considered a strong asset.
SALARY RANGE: $73,000 to $75,000 per year, dependent on experience.
BENEFITS: 3 weeks of vacation, plus an office closure between Christmas and New Year, and up to 10 sick days per year. Comprehensive medical and dental benefits offered.
POSTING DATE: February 2026
START DATE:  As soon as possible

About the Organization
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (www.cpaws.org) is a national charitable organization with 13 chapters across Canada, almost 100 staff, and hundreds of volunteers who have helped to protect over half a million square kilometers of Canada’s public land and water, since 1963.

Our conservation vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of both wildlife and humans.
CPAWS National is based on the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation and works in both unceded and treaty lands of First Nations, Métis and Inuit throughout the country known as Canada.

CPAWS is committed to operating in a way that upholds justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). Our goal is to create an inclusive place for people from diverse backgrounds.

About the Role
The Manager for CPAWS National’s Land and Freshwater Program is a key member of our conservation team. You will report to the National Director for Conservation and will direct and manage staff on our land and freshwater conservation team.

We are seeking a strategic thinker who has experience with project or campaign management, working with government departments and agencies, and a deep understanding of Indigenous-led conservation.

You will own projects and campaigns from beginning to end. This includes developing the overall goals and strategies; then managing them through to their successful implementation.

Because we are a small team, you will take on a range of responsibilities throughout this work. For example, while leadership is a key part of the role, at times it will be necessary to participate with content writing and other necessary tasks.

You will work particularly closely with our Ocean team and Communications team, with an eye to helping to make supporters and decision makers feel connected to our work.

This role requires high-level organization, adaptability, and a can-do attitude to ensure campaigns can adapt quickly to situations outside CPAWS’ control, while keeping a clear focus on the outcomes we are working to achieve.

Responsibilities:
1. Team Management & Administration (25%)
A. Day to day management of Land and Freshwater conservation staff, including the Conservation Coordinator and policy analysts.
B. Ensure completion of work plans, annual performance reviews, and other important administrative tasks.
C. Work with the National Conservation Director to ensure the overall health and functioning of the team.

2. Program Management and Delivery (30%)
A. Lead the development and manage the successful implementation of a range of CPAWS land and freshwater conservation projects and campaigns.
B. Identify opportunities and strategic priorities for moving the conservation agenda forward in Canada.
C. Writing and editing content for public and decision makers, including reports and communications materials.
D. Seek opportunities to support CPAWS Chapters across Canada, as they work to protect 30% of Canada by 2030 and beyond.
E. Support national office efforts to advance Indigenous-led conservation.
F. Collaborate closely with Oceans Program staff on common projects and work closely with other national conservation staff to assist with projects as needed.
G. Mentoring and supporting more junior staff as they support the projects you are leading.

3. Public Affairs (30%)
A. Supporting CPAWS National office’s government relations work, including our work to protect 30% of Canada by 2030.
B. Working with other conservation, communications & government relations staff across the organization, including providing strategic advice and support for chapter level government relations activities.
C. With other conservation team members, coordinate and support the development of federal policy briefs, submissions, and participation in consultations on terrestrial conservation policy related to CPAWS’ land and freshwater conservation program and campaign areas, including lobbying.
D. Work with the national office communications staff to develop strategies and content for communications materials, including CPAWS websites, media releases, print documents, direct mail, E-newsletters, etc.
E. Represent CPAWS in strategic conservation partnerships related to the protection of land and freshwater in Canada.

4. Funding Support (5%)
A. Lead fundraising efforts for your work, working with the National Conservation Director and other staff to identify prospective funders and prepare applications.
B. Provide updates to the National Board of Trustees, major donors, monthly donors and others on conservation work and successes as needed.

5. Other duties (10%)
A. Assist with the planning of annual conservation planning meetings.
B. Participation in staff meetings, retreats, and events.
C. Represent CPAWS in media interviews supporting campaigns.
D. Engagement with internal processes (e.g. working groups) and training.

Qualifications and Expectations
Essential Assets
• Eligibility to work in Canada (citizenship, permanent residence, or a valid work permit).
• Demonstrable knowledge and passion for conservation and the environment, especially in the Canadian context.
• Experience managing or mentoring staff.
• A deep appreciation of Indigenous leadership on issues like conservation, and a commitment to working in a way that uplifts the central role of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
• A proven record of delivering complex campaigns and projects that resulted in tangible conservation or policy outcomes.
• An understanding of how to influence government policy through advocacy.
• Experience managing external service providers, consultants, or staff.
• Sharp written and verbal communications skills, with a strong creative streak.
• Excellent organizational skills and an eye for detail.
• An inclusive, collegial, and collaborative work ethic with strong teamwork skills.
• A commitment to decolonization and anti-racism.

You may have
• Experience working within the conservation sector or working to create change in other ways (if your experience is outside of our sector, please explain its relevance in your cover-letter).
• Experience engaging with elected officials, bureaucrats, and other decision makers.
• Experience working or volunteering in non-profit/ charitable sector.
• Relevant educational experience (a lack of formal education should not be a barrier to application, as we will always consider relevant work experience).
• An understanding of concepts like Ethical Space and experience working with Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience presenting complex information in understandable ways for the public and decision makers.
• Fluency in English and French.

Application Submission and Hiring Process
CPAWS is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including applicants from all cultures, racialized communities, abilities, diverse sexual and gender identities, and others who may contribute to equitable representation and diversity of perspectives and ideas. We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier-free. To learn more about the action we’re taking, please visit the CPAWS website.

Please contact us if you should require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process at [email protected]

Apply through this link: https://cpws.bamboohr.com/careers/38 attaching a cover letter and resume saved into a single PDF with the file name LAST NAME_National Manager no later than March 16th, 2026.

We thank all candidates for their interest in the position. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, as we are looking to fill this position quickly. We expect to have one or two round of interviews and that interviews will last up to one hour. They may take place in person, or over Zoom, dependent on the needs of the candidate. We commit to contacting all candidates who we interview within two weeks of the interview date.