Nature, Wildlife, Wilderness Conservation

Position: Program Manager & Interim Executive Director
Organization: Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative
Work location: Primarily remote from anywhere in Ontario. Preference for Ottawa/Kingston/Thousand Islands region.

Term: 11-month contract, early January to the end of November 2027, with the possibility of extension if funding is secured.
Schedule: Four days a week (0.8 FTE)
Salary: $55,000–$65,000 per year for a four-day week, with no further reduction for part-time hours. Plus benefits and a bonus (see "What we offer").

Location & Travel:

• Where you work: Primarily remote from anywhere in Ontario. Preference for Ottawa/ Kingston/ Thousand Islands region. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
• In-person presence: Occasional travel to the A2A region is required for events and meetings.
• The fine print: Travel expenses into the A2A region are your responsibility, but travel required within the region for work events is fully covered by the organization.

About us

The Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative (A2A) connects lands and people across the Algonquin to Adirondacks region to conserve and enhance a critical corridor for ecological integrity and resilience in eastern North America.

The opportunity

Our Executive Director is taking a leave from February 1 to Sept. 6th, 2027. We are looking for a Program Manager who will lead A2A as Interim Executive Director during that time. You will start in early January with a handover, step into the Executive Director role on February 1, and work alongside the returning Executive Director through the end of November, including the fall 2027 Science Symposium. The Executive Director will be available for consultation during the leave, and you will work closely with the Board's executive committee.

A four-day week, and time for a life outside work

This is a four-day-a-week role, and the Executive Director works the same schedule. We care about work-life balance: the role is primarily remote, with four weeks of paid vacation. You will inherit well-established systems for operations, finances and fundraising, so you will not be building the basics from scratch, and we will agree on priorities with you so the work fits the week.

What you will do

Operations

1. Manage day-to-day operations and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
2. Supervise interns and support their work
3. Work with the Board and its executive committee, and prepare reports for the Board and its committees

Finances

1. In collaboration with the Board and our bookkeeper, oversee budgeting and financial reporting

Fundraising

1. Support and carry out fundraising, including limited grant writing and donor relations

Partnerships

1. Strengthen and expand relationships with government agencies, non-profits, researchers, Indigenous communities and organizations, and community groups on both sides of the border

Programs

1. Advance current priorities, such as our wolf research, Safe Passage wildlife-crossing advocacy (including our response to the Highway 401 expansion and the ALTO high-speed rail proposal), and public outreach and communications
2. Help plan and deliver our annual AGM (virtual), and biennial A2A Science Symposium in Kingston in the Fall of 2027

Who we are looking for

We know that capable leaders come from many paths. You do not need to meet every point below to apply. We value formal education, work experience, community leadership and lived experience, and we consider them together.

1. Around five years of relevant experience, paid, volunteer or community-based, leading projects, programs, teams or organizations, in non-profit, conservation, Indigenous, community, public-sector or related settings
2. A degree in environmental science, conservation, non-profit management or a related field, or equivalent experience
3. Strong planning and organizational skills, and comfort with digital tools and systems
4. Experience managing or contributing to budgets and financial reporting
5. Experience with fundraising, such as grant writing, donor relations or community fundraising
6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work respectfully with a wide range of partners, including Indigenous communities and organizations
7. A commitment to conservation and to A2A's mission
8. Ability to travel regularly across the A2A region, which requires a valid driver's licence

Assets:

1. GIS skills, landscape ecology, ecological connectivity, or road ecology experience.
2. Lived experience, community connections and knowledge of this region and its ecological significance.

What we offer

1. A four-day work week (0.8 FTE) and a primarily remote role
2. Four weeks of paid vacation
3. A 100% employer-funded Health Spending Account of $1,250 to $2,500 annually, depending on single or family coverage status
4. A bonus equal to 5% of salary earned while serving as Interim Executive Director (February 1 – Sept.6th, 2027)
5. A handover from the current Executive Director, well-established systems to build on, and an engaged Board

How to apply

Deadline: Friday, December 11th, 2026. We will review applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early. We hope to have someone in place in early January 2027. Submit to: Hiring Committee, A2A Collaborative, through this application form. Please send your resume and a cover letter in one document telling us how your experience fits this role, with "Program Manager & Interim Executive Director" in the subject line.

Questions: Questions about this role may be emailed to secretariat@a2acollaborative.org Answers will be added to this posting on our website so all applicants have the same information. To keep the process fair and timely, we are not scheduling individual calls before applications are reviewed. If you need an accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact secretariat@a2acollaborative.org, and we will work with you.

Our commitment to equity

A2A is committed to building a team that reflects the communities and landscapes we work with. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black and racialized people, and from people of all genders, abilities and backgrounds. If you are not sure you meet every qualification, please apply anyway. A2A is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. While we thank all applicants for their interest in working with the A2A Collaborative, we are a small team and can only respond to those selected for an interview.

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