Vice President, Science & Innovation, Resilient Forests

Organization icon

American Forests

Location icon

Remote

Apply now

 


American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and policy innovation and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S., working to restore urban forests and forested landscapes for 150 years. 


American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member. 


 


POSITION SUMMARY


Reporting to the Chief Program Officer (CPO) for Resilient Forests, the Vice President (VP) of Science & Innovation leads the Science and Innovation vertical within the Resilient Forests program. This portfolio spans forest climate science and analytics, forest restoration science, program impact tracking, and programmatic innovations that advance new partnership models and restoration funding/finance. The VP leads a team of scientists and programmatic innovators to deliver analysis, tools, applied/operational forestry research, transformative partnerships, and scalable approaches that increase Resilient Forests’ impact. The role balances day-to-day leadership of a high-performing team with strategic leadership that strengthens cohesion and integration across the broader Resilient Forests program. 


In close collaboration with the VP of Resilient Reforestation (who oversees regional restoration programs), the VP of Science and Innovation leads matrixed workstreams across regions, including regional restoration plans and strategies, impact estimation and quantification, and outcome-based restoration funding and finance solutions. Together with the CPO, VP of Resilient Reforestation, and the Director of Strategy & Program Delivery, the VP helps guide the Resilient Forests Senior Program Leadership Team and drive progress toward annual goals aligned with long-range strategic plans.


 


SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES


Strategic Partnerships, Fundraising, Communications (40%)



  • Support program development and fundraising in partnership with the CPO, Philanthropy and Development teams, and Science and Innovation staff, including proposals and pitches.

  • Advance funding partnerships based on science-based estimations of the ecological benefits of forest restoration projects of the Resilient Forests program.

  • Serve as a public-facing leader at meetings, conferences, webinars, and on social media, delivering presentations, moderating discussions, and speaking publicly to share program stories, research findings, and the theories of change and interventions underpinning our Science & Innovation work.

  • Represent American Forests in major projects and partnerships advancing climate-adapted forestry leadership, such as the Forest Innovation Platform.

  • Collaborate on the development of science publications, reports, and tools.

  • Help develop and shape compelling messaging and communications products in collaboration with Resilient Forests’ leadership, the Marketing & Communications Department, and the GIS & Data Science Department, that deliver core products from our Science & Innovation vertical to key audiences.

  • Build and/or maintain strategic external partnerships that advance American Forests’ mission and Resilient Forests’ strategic objectives.


Management and Leadership (40%)



  • Attract, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing staff; empower team members to grow in their responsibility and impact. 

  • Support a collaborative and creative culture within Resilient Forests and across American Forests, promoting science as foundational to our programs.

  • Lead Resilient Forests’ Science & Innovation vertical’s annual work planning, performance management, and long-range program planning in coordination with Senior Directors. 

  • Ensure staff work plans and time allocations align with Resilient Forests’ priorities and budgets; coordinate with Finance and Operations to maintain accurate staff time allocations and budget execution.

  • Work with Senior Directors within the Science & Innovation vertical to develop and update program strategies aligned with American Forests’ strategic plan, including prioritization frameworks, goals, and key performance indicators. 

  • Ensure program delivery is grounded in sound science and supported by clear, consistent impact metrics that are measured and reported in alignment with programmatic strategies.

  • Working with the CPO and VP of Resilient Reforestation, co-lead departmental budgeting and annual goal setting with the Senior Program Leadership Team.

  • Support staff developing and implementing systems for estimating and measuring ecological benefits of American Forests-funded and/or staff-implemented restoration projects. 


 Administration (20%)



  • Promote strong financial stewardship by partnering with Finance & Operations in the review of program/project financials and facilitating effective decision-making in projects under the Science & Innovation vertical. 

  • Support excellent administration of grants and agreements; identify and support implementation of efficiencies for grants management and reporting.

  • Support the rollout and adoption of organizational policies, procedures, and systems in coordination with Finance & Operations and program leadership.

  • Promote accountability and consistency in the use of organization-wide budgeting, forecasting, and operational tools and processes.


 


EDUCATION



  • Master’s degree required, in environmental science, environmental management, forestry, environmental policy, restoration ecology, and/or nonprofit or public administration, with relevant nonprofit or business management coursework.


 


QUALIFICATIONS



  • Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in a conservation-related field and at least 5 years in senior program management/leadership; strong preference for science program leadership and/or ecosystem markets experience. 

  • Expertise in forest ecosystems, natural resource management, and/or ecological restoration is strongly preferred. (A combination of education and experience will be considered.)

  • Collaborative, empowering leadership style with strong attention to detail; able to mentor and support staff, build high-functioning teams, strengthen existing programs, and develop new initiatives.

  • Demonstrated success in technical program design and execution, with strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.

  • Significant experience leading, fundraising for, and managing complex portfolios; familiarity with nonprofit management and comfort working across diverse program areas (e.g., outcome-based funding and restoration finance; threatened and endangered species conservation; forest landscape restoration; climate change adaptation).

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; effective spokesperson able to convey technical work, strategy, and impact clearly and concisely.

  • Demonstrated experience working with diverse public- and private-sector partners.

  • Awareness and understanding of Indigenous Knowledge systems.

  • Working knowledge of concepts, datasets, and tools related to forest adaptation to climate change.

  • Experience authoring, co-authoring, and/or reviewing peer-reviewed scientific or technical publications.

  • Familiarity with modeling and analysis of forest ecosystems, wildfire, watershed hydrology, forest carbon dynamics, and climate change impacts; and ecosystem service quantification tools/methods.

  • Knowledge of social science (including natural resource economics) is desired.


 


COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 


This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. The budgeted salary range is between $160,000 - 180,000.


 


Our benefits are designed to support your whole self at work and at home. We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness resources, disability insurance, and life and AD&D protection to give you peace of mind. You’ll enjoy generous paid time off, holidays, and leave programs, including parental bonding, bereavement, and military leave, so you can take care of what matters most. We invest in your future with a 401(k) plan that includes an employer match, flexible spending accounts, and a technology stipend to keep you connected. From work‑life balance to financial security, our benefits ensure you feel supported every step of the way. 






LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS


This position is a remote position that will work with staff from all time zones within the U.S. American Forests’ headquarters is in downtown Washington, DC. 


 


TRAVEL


Up to 25% of travel is required to engage in meetings and events that are both internal to American Forests and external. 


 


SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS


American Forests is committed to effective staff management, so all team members can excel. The Vice President for Science & Innovation will directly supervise a team of Senior Directors within the Resilient Forest program, who each supervise program staff and diverse program areas.


 


REPORTS TO


The VP, Science & Innovation within the Resilient Forests program reports to the Chief Program Officer, Resilient Forests. 



WHY AMERICAN FORESTS 


American Forests is a national nonprofit conservation organization with a bold vision for restoring forests at the scale needed to address climate change, support biodiversity, and strengthen communities. Our work is driven by cutting‑edge forest science, strong policy engagement, and movement‑building efforts in collaboration with federal agencies, corporate partners, and local community leaders. We lead transformative, science‑based initiatives across the country, from advancing Tree Equity to ensure every neighborhood has the trees needed for health, safety, and climate resilience, to restoring forest ecosystems so they can adapt to climate change, store more carbon, protect water resources, and support wildlife. 


 


 


 American Forests is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.


Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.