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Manager, Chesapeake Programs
NFWF
Washington, DC, USA
USD 68k-68k / year
Posted on Mar 25, 2026
MANAGER, CHESAPEAKE PROGRAMS
Summary
Working out of the Washington, D.C. office, the Manager, Chesapeake Programs (Manager) supports strategic development and implementation of the Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF), a collection of competitive grants programs, technical assistance, and contracted support to advance the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Manager is responsible for working with the Foundation’s Chesapeake program staff, federal agencies, and other restoration and conservation partners to develop and implement grant making strategies that address pressing watershed and habitat conservation and restoration issues that achieve measurable conservation outcomes. They coordinate the Foundation’s Chesapeake program activities with others involved or affected by project and programmatic decisions.
The Manager is responsible for assisting in the development of funding opportunities, managing funding sources, interacting with existing and potential grant/contract recipients, coordinating proposal review, working with grantees to conceive and submit grant proposals that are aligned with NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Business Plan and partner priorities, reviewing/approving grantee or contractor reports, coordinating with the project administration team to assure the effective implementation of the Foundation’s grant administration policies, and drafting recommendations for staff and Board action. All activities are closely coordinated with the Program Director, Chesapeake Programs, Program Coordinator(s), other Foundation staff, and public, private, and non-governmental partners.
This work is multi-disciplinary and involves significant internal and external coordination to evaluate and adapt program-level investment strategies, to continually assess the technical and programmatic merits of potential investments and to oversee effective program implementation through the cumulative efforts of grantees and contractors.
The position is based in Washington, DC, and frequent travel across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, especially in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- In coordination with the Northeastern Regional Office Director, the Chesapeake Program Director, the science team and other Foundation staff, where appropriate, design and implement watershed and habitat restoration and conservation objectives and goals that align with NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Business Plan, Foundation-wide objectives, and those of our partners.
- Establish and maintain key relationships with public and private partners in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including but not limited to partners with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership, and the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership (CCP).
- Management of the Chesapeake Program Request for Proposals (RFP) processes. This may include providing feedback to applicants, soliciting partner feedback on RFP priorities, reviewing proposals and organizing reviews, preparing materials for review meetings, and working with awardees to prepare project scopes for award.
- Manage CBSF grant and contract solicitation, review, and selection processes, including development grant and contract solicitations, administration of fair and open competitions consistent with the Foundation’s procurement policies and relevant agency guidelines, interaction with existing and potential grant/contract recipients, coordination of external review processes, and coordination of feedback calls for declined applicants.
- Manage federal compliance activities (National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, EPA Quality Assurance regulations, etc.) for CBSF awards including working closely with compliance contractors to finalize documentation.
- Assist with managing a portfolio of high-profile grantees including developing, coordinating, and implementing project-specific technical assistance plans/strategies with grantees; negotiating milestones with grantees; monitoring and reporting on grant progress (using Foundation technical and financial tracking databases); reviewing and approving grant deliverables and progress reports; and working with contractors to assess project performance.
- Seek and develop opportunities for information sharing among grantees and with funding partners about lessons learned and accomplishments of grant-funded projects, including but not limited to convening workshops and symposiums to promote technology transfer and information sharing among grantees and program partners.
- Work closely with CBP and CCP partners on new and evolving initiatives. Tasks may include workgroup meetings, organizing workshops, and collecting and analyzing information on existing efforts.
- Continually evaluate program success and recommend opportunities for improving program delivery, including analyzing grantee programmatic reports to inventory outcomes and develop relevant collections of case studies; and developing reports that synthesize information collected from grantees and document program impact.
- Assist the Chesapeake Program Director in pursuing and managing applicable funding source(s) as appropriate, including the preparation of grant applications and amendments, preparation and submission of financial and programmatic reports and coordination with Foundation staff to ensure compliance with all funding source requirements.
- Lead in planning and coordinating information sharing events (e.g., workshops, roundtables, conference calls) for grantees and program partners.
- In coordination with the Communications Team, lead communications and outreach activities, including developing fact sheets, maps and presentation materials.
- Draft briefing materials and recommendations to support decision making by the Foundation’s Board.
- Work closely with Foundation leadership to help build, adapt and maintain conservation frameworks.
SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist the Program Director in developing and maintaining relationships with corporate and foundation partners, working closely with NFWF’s development staff.
- Monitor partnership activities, scientific literature, and federal, state, and local policy activities for new developments in watershed management that could impact the Foundation’s strategies for the Chesapeake Bay.
- Recommend and lead efforts to improve existing processes, including development of new processes.
- Assist in reviewing proposals for various NFWF nation-wide grant programs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS)
- Minimum bachelor’s degree, master’s or equivalent experience preferred in biology, ecology, environmental science, public policy or related field.
- Minimum three years’ experience working with government agencies and/or nongovernmental organizations on issues related to conservation and natural resource management. Candidates with specific experience working in philanthropy with or on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership and member agencies and organizations are strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated skills in the areas of project management, program management, project budgeting, collaboration with scientists and other technical experts, and development of decision support processes preferred.
- Experience working with federal resource agencies, with experience managing cooperative agreements preferred.
- Grants management and administration experience preferred.
- Experience building consensus and managing conflict among diverse partners.
- Knowledge of watershed and estuarine management issues.
- Knowledge of environmental and policy challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay.
- Experience working with environmental indicators and performance metrics.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently in a rapidly changing environment.
- Ability to work successfully in a team environment.
- Computer proficiency, including databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and graphics. Experience with web content management and Geographic Information Systems is preferred.
COMPENSATION
$68K per year
Note: Salary is negotiable depending on the candidate's skills and experience.
LOCATION
Washington, DC
Application Notes:
Please submit a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, and resume.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full-time basis.
Equal Opportunity Statement - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws in its commitment to being an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, personal appearance, citizen status, disability, sexual orientation, gender, identity or expression, pregnancy, child birth or related medical conditions, family responsibilities, matriculation, genetic information, political or union affiliation, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.
Disclaimer - The statements contained herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the employees in these positions. The statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in each position. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the responsibilities, duties, and skills at any time.