Conservation Manager

SUMMARY:
A prestigious private game reserve in the Eastern Cape is seeking an experienced and passionate CONSERVATION MANAGER to lead their conservation and reserve management operation.

POSITION INFO:
This is a senior, hands-on role for a driven conservation professional with a strong track record in protected area or wildlife management. The successful candidate will take ownership of the reserve's conservation strategy, ecological monitoring programmes, and team leadership, contributing meaningfully to long-term biodiversity and ecosystem goals within a world-class private reserve environment.

Core Criteria:

• Tertiary qualification in nature conservation, ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a conservation management or protected area management role
• Strong knowledge of wildlife management, ecological monitoring, and biodiversity conservation principles
• Experience with anti-poaching strategy, security operations, and perimeter management
• Solid understanding of relevant environmental legislation, including NEMBA and NEMPAA
• Competent in GIS and conservation data management tools
• Experience with alien vegetation control, veld management, and land restoration
• Valid driver's licence with 4x4 experience essential
• Firearm competency essential
• Strong leadership, people management, and report writing skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Comfortable living and working in a remote environment

• Develop and implement a strategic conservation and reserve management plan aligned to the reserve's long-term biodiversity goals
• Oversee and manage all ecological monitoring programmes, including game census, camera traps, veld condition assessments, and landscape use analysis
• Manage wildlife, including species of special interest, translocations, and introductions
• Oversee ecosystem management, including alien vegetation control, soil erosion management, grazing monitoring, and water provisioning
• Manage and mentor the conservation team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
• Oversee anti-poaching unit strategy, personnel, and operations
• Manage access control, perimeter security, and reserve infrastructure including fencing, roads, boreholes, and water reticulation
• Coordinate responses to wildfire, flooding, and other natural events
• Cultivate existing research and conservation partnerships and develop new collaborations
• Compile budgets, forecasts, and regular conservation reports
• Maintain compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and permit requirements
• Maintain open and effective communication with all internal departments and external stakeholders

• Salary: Market-related, dependent on experience and qualifications
• Live-in position with accommodation provided on the reserve