Executive Director: Conservation Operations (Level 13) - Head Office, Bridgetown at CapeNature

Job Description

• CapeNature seeks to appoint an Executive Director for its Conservation Operations portfolio.  This Executive Director provides strategic direction in the implementation of conservation actions across landscapes and includes reserve operations. The Executive Director responds directly to the Entity’s vision, mission, and legislative mandates described in the Strategic and Annual Performance Plans.   The successful candidate will have exceptional leadership, management, communication, and technical ability to guide CapeNature in the implementation of holistic conservation actions in the Western Cape.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage and expand CapeNature’s Protected Area estate
• Develop and implement conservation actions
• Facilitate and enable access, sustainable use, community beneficiation and participation in the Western Cape biodiversity economy
• Implement compliance and enforcement in accordance with the Western Cape Biodiversity Act and other relevant provincial and national environmental legislation.

KEY RESPONSE AREAS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• Provide strategic direction and management of conservation actions to enhance biodiversity resilience, mitigate loss, build ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives
• Coordinate the compilation and management of budgets, monitor cash flow, institute risk management and supply chain processes to achieve business objectives
• Direct, lead and manage the Directorate’s people, relationships and teams to achieve organisational goals
• Provide strategic direction and lead actions to advocate for behavioural change and promote voluntary compliance
• Provide strategic transversal integration and operationalisation across the related CapeNature Directorates
• Provide strategic leadership and participation in stakeholder engagement.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Post graduate qualification in the conservation/biodiversity/environmental/ social studies fields
• At least five years’ senior management experience in the Conservation Sector (Dept. of Public Service Administration Post Levels 11 and 12)
• A valid EB (08) driver’s license
• Bilingualism in at least two of the official languages of the Western Cape
• Experience in contributing to strategies and plans
• Strong understanding of corporate finance and measures of performance
• Extensive knowledge of corporate governance principles and managerial best practices
• Outstanding organisation and leadership abilities
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and public speaking skills.

Deadline:13th February,2026