Lead the evolution of enterprise geospatial systems for a mission-driven organization dedicated to bird and habitat conservation. As Senior Director, Enterprise Geographic Information Systems (GIS), you will define and drive the strategic vision for GIS across the organization, aligning technology, science, and conservation goals to deliver scalable, secure, and impactful spatial solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish and guide the enterprise GIS strategy in support of organizational objectives, conservation planning, and operational effectiveness.
- Design and manage roadmaps for GIS platforms and applications, ensuring alignment with user needs, technical standards, and long-term sustainability.
- Oversee the development and deployment of high-impact geospatial tools, including decision support systems, community science applications, and performance tracking platforms.
- Lead and mentor a team of GIS professionals and fellows, supporting growth, performance, and inclusive collaboration.
- Manage and enhance a hybrid ArcGIS environment—spanning ArcGIS Online, Enterprise, and desktop systems—with a focus on scalability, security, and accessibility.
- Coordinate vendor relationships, including contract oversight, budget planning, and strategic partnerships with technology providers such as Esri.
- Collaborate with science and conservation teams to deliver spatial analysis, mapping products, and analytical frameworks that inform on-the-ground action.
- Integrate GIS capabilities across departments, including policy, fundraising, and communications, to strengthen data-informed decision-making.
- Ensure compliance with data governance, privacy regulations, and cybersecurity standards across all geospatial operations.
- Develop and present technical and strategic reports, visualizations, and briefings for leadership, technical teams, and external partners.
- Represent the organization in professional networks, conferences, and cross-sector collaborations to advance GIS innovation in conservation.
- Promote a culture of safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement within the GIS team and across the broader organization.
Qualifications
Candidates should hold an advanced degree in GIS, Geography, Information Technology, or a related field, along with ten or more years of progressive experience in enterprise GIS systems, strategy, and product development. Leadership experience is essential, with at least three years managing technical teams or programs. Proficiency in ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise (Portal, Server, Data Store, Image Server), and ArcGIS Pro is required, as is experience with PostgreSQL, AWS cloud infrastructure (S3, EC2, RDS), and geospatial automation using Python and SQL.
Experience with GitHub for version control, Jira for project coordination, and modern data engineering workflows—including Snowflake and dbt for spatial pipelines—is expected. Demonstrated success translating business needs into technical solutions, managing enterprise geodatabases, and leading cross-functional initiatives in complex organizations is critical. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary for engaging diverse stakeholders, from technical staff to non-technical leaders.
A commitment to organizational values—care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation—is essential. Experience fostering inclusive work environments and supporting equity in conservation technology is highly valued.
Preferred Attributes
- Professional certification such as PMP.
- Proven success leading large-scale GIS transformations in decentralized or federated organizations.
- Experience expanding GIS business value across diverse programs and partnerships.
- Established relationships with key technology providers or conservation-focused GIS networks.
- Active engagement in the Conservation GIS community.
- Familiarity with modern cloud-based spatial data engineering, including ArcGIS Pipelines and dbt workflows.
- Spanish language proficiency and cultural fluency, supporting hemispheric conservation efforts.
- A track record of adopting and sharing emerging GIS technologies and practices with partners and peers.
Work Environment
This role operates under a hybrid model, allowing remote work within the United States. Employees are expected to work in person on Mondays and Tuesdays, plus two additional days per month, based near offices in Washington, DC, or New York, NY. The organization supports flexible scheduling and is committed to building an equitable, accessible, and collaborative workplace.
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable laws. We strive to ensure an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.
