Position: Director of Operations

Organization: Earthtree

Location: Meghalaya

Who and what are we looking for?

We’re looking for an experienced Director of Operations to lead our Meghalaya tree planting. You must possess excellent people skills and be inspired by the idea of working in a small, ambitious team, in a fast-paced environment. The job involves developing from scratch strategy and liaison with a wide variety of stakeholders, including local authorities, local communities and NGOs. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in large scale infrastructure development projects, community-based project development, agroforestry or forest project management, as well as a strong background in organisational management and virtual team leadership. You will also oversee risk management, quality assurance and safety. We welcome applications from civil and mechatronics engineers with the required skills sets in program management linked to large scale machinery and landscape planning and operations with active program management experience.

Main tasks & responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee program activities, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Plan and direct the workflow, and guide the local teams so they could provide on time while respecting the quality standards.
• Develop, assess, and monitor annual horticulture and plant production plans and budgets.
• Provide leadership and direction to operation teams, ensuring effective communication and collaboration as well as efficient use of resources and compliance with regulatory requirements and international standards. 
• Develop effective and standardised communication channels and processes to allow the flow of information to smoothly go from the field to the management and vice versa.
• Provide timely and accurate reports to the CEO and stakeholders.
• Monitor project progress and identify areas for improvement, making recommendations for adjustments as needed.
• Implement and maintain an up-to-date database of trees planted and their locations, together with a calendar of future projections.
• Oversee staffing processes including hiring, onboarding, and payroll. Ensure effective staff performance review systems.
• Working with Operation Team members on systems that ensure the quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) of tree planting and restoration project operations.

Requirements:

• Civil Engineer/ Mechatronics Engineers/ Masters Degree or Higher in Environmental Management, Horticulture, Forestry, or related field.
• A minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in large infrastructure projects/ carbon project development and management, including knowledge of the design and implementation of internationally recognised carbon certification processes (including VCS and other standards).
• Excellent understanding and knowledge of Afforestation, Reforestation and Agroforestry projects.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques relevant to carbon projects including experience of applying calculation methodologies and estimating carbon offsets generated by nature-based carbon projects, and associated understanding of evaluating, monitoring, and measuring the impact for carbon, biodiversity and community benefits.
• Prior management/supervisor skills, including developing and mentoring a team of highly skilled horticulture and/or forest specialists.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, as well as independently, with colleagues based in different locations and time zones around the globe.
• Excellent project and time management skills that utilise digital management tools.
• Proven ability to delegate while managing organisational oversight and performance.
• Strong people management skills.
• Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Strong prioritisation, staging, and sequencing skills.
• Result-oriented work approach with the ability to work quickly from concept creation to the implementation of project programs.
• Demonstrated experience in, and commitment to, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, and an ability to represent these values and practices to staff, stakeholders, and the public. 

Desirable:

• Experience working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, carbon registries, governments and NGOs.
• Experience of working internationally in varied cultures and countries.
• Knowledge of measuring and demonstrating the impact of carbon projects in line with external benchmarking such as SDGs, SBTs, NBS.
• Experience of communicating to a diverse range of audiences. 
• Experience designing and presenting strategies, plans, processes, metrics, and information in a clear and comprehensible manner.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in stressful or complex situations.
• Good knowledge of data analysis and key performance indicators.
• Experience working with virtual teams in fast growing companies.

Working at Earthtree

• This role is full-time with flexible hours.
• Relocation assistance.
• Join a fast growing business with a great opportunity to quickly grow your career.
• Join the offices in Shillong, Meghalaya, India and help us positively impact climate, biodiversity and communities in India and globally.
• We support some remote work but are moving to about half time in offices to encourage in-person collaboration and teamwork.
• We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability. We ensure every applicant gets an equal chance of success.

Other benefits

• Learning and development: We are on a constant learning journey and you will receive an annual learning and development budget to help you with this.
• Attractive leave policy,
• Hybrid work policy.