Director, Affiliate Partnerships

Position Overview

Reporting to the Vice President, Conservation, the Director, Affiliate Partnerships leads CWF's Affiliate relations and partnership strategy. The Director strengthens relationships with 13 provincial and territorial Affiliate organizations, advances collaborative conservation initiatives, and supports a strong, aligned national network that furthers CWF's conservation priorities.

As CWF's primary liaison with Affiliates, the Director builds trusted relationships with Affiliate leaders, identifies opportunities for collaboration, and advances shared initiatives. The role provides strategic advice to senior leadership, represents CWF in Affiliate and external forums, and works closely with Conservation, Government Relations, Communications, and Fund Development teams to support coordinated action across the Federation network.

Duties and Responsibilities

Affiliate Relations & National Network Development

• Lead CWF's Affiliate relations strategy to strengthen engagement, collaboration, and alignment across the Federation's 13 provincial and territorial Affiliate organizations.
• Serve as the primary relationship liaison for Affiliate Executive Directors/CEOs, Board members, and other Affiliate leaders.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships across the network, identifying opportunities to deepen partnerships, strengthen capacity, and advance common priorities.
• Identify Affiliate needs, emerging issues, risks, and opportunities, and work with Affiliate leaders and internal stakeholders to develop effective solutions.
• Promote information sharing, peer learning, best practices, and collaborative planning across the Federation network.
• Represent CWF in Affiliate governance and network forums, national meetings, working groups, and other engagement opportunities.

Collaborative Partnerships & Initiatives

• Lead collaborative initiatives that bring together CWF and its Affiliates to advance shared conservation objectives and increase collective capacity, reach, and influence.
• Work across Conservation, Government Relations, Communications, and Fund Development to identify shared advocacy, conservation, education, stewardship, fundraising, and public engagement opportunities.
• Develop partnership models, collaborative frameworks, and engagement approaches that support participation, accountability, and shared success.

Strategic Advice & Organizational Support

• Advise the Vice President, Conservation, CEO, and Executive Team on Affiliate relations, network development, governance considerations, partnership opportunities, and emerging risks.
• Provide strategic and operational guidance on Affiliate engagement, collaboration models, partnership development, and stakeholder relationship management.
• Measure, monitor, and report on collaborative outcomes, including partnership growth, network engagement, shared advocacy, funded initiatives, and conservation impact.

Education, Experience, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Conservation, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Communications, Political Science, Nonprofit Management, Community Development, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in partnership development, stakeholder relations, fundraising, government relations, public policy, conservation, or the not-for-profit sector.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior leaders, boards, funders, governments, external partners, and multi-stakeholder networks.
• Strong strategic relationship management, facilitation, communication, diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Sound judgment and political awareness, with the ability to navigate sensitive governance, relationship, and organizational matters.
• Experience building collaboration across organizations with diverse mandates, governance structures, and priorities is considered an asset.

Work Conditions

• Full-time indeterminate position, typically working Monday through Friday for 37.5 hours per week.
• Based out of CWF's Head Office in Ottawa, ON (Kanata), with hybrid flexibility to work-from-home two consecutive days per week OR Remote anywhere in Canada.
• Frequent travel for meetings, conferences, Affiliate engagement, partnership discussions, or national events.
• Frequent sitting at a computer and use of peripherals.

Why Work With Us?

• Join a team of passionate individuals dedicated to wildlife and habitat conservation.
• Friendly and casual work environment.
• Expand your professional network within the conservation, science, education, government relations, and fundraising sectors.
• Competitive benefits plan at no cost to employees, including health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Group RSP enrollment with up to 5% matching.
• 13 paid statutory holidays per year.
• Generous paid vacation, sick days, float days, and appointment time.
• Complimentary subscription to Canadian Wildlife magazine.
• A commitment to building a diverse workforce.

Location: Ottawa, ON (hybrid) or other location in Canada

Reports to: Vice President, Conservation

Duration: Indeterminate

Application Deadline: October 4, 2026

Anticipated Start Date: mid October 2026

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume.