Drone Manager

Overview

Island Conservation seeks an experienced and strategic Drone Operations Manager to lead and expand our drone-based restoration efforts. This position will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a drone fleet and managing contracted services, with a primary focus on heavy-lift drone baiting operations that support island restoration. The role includes developing strategic partnerships and business models to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the program.

This position will report to the Director of Impact and Innovation and collaborate closely with the Conservation Innovation Manager to establish effective drone solutions. The role will also work directly with project managers to support the delivery of effective restoration projects across diverse island ecosystems. This is a grant-funded position with guaranteed salary support and start-up resources for the first 18 months. Continued funding will be dependent upon securing revenue from internal and external projects through the implementation of the manager’s business plan.

Location : Remote (Based in New Zealand). Schedule : 32-hour work week (Tuesday – Friday). Salary : NZD 90,000 – 115,000 depending on experience and location.

Responsibilities

• Duty : Program management
• Lead the development and implementation of a business plan to deliver effective, compliant, and safe heavy lift drone baiting operations
• Develop, manage, and forecast program budget and costs to ensure long-term sustainability
• Establish and maintain standards, protocols, certifications, regulatory approvals, and insurance for all drone operations or third-party vendors
• Procure and maintain drones, payloads, and supporting equipment to meet operational needs
• Monitor, forecast, and respond to changes in drone legislation to ensure compliance
• Review and approve drone operation and safety plans
• Collaborate with Heads of Operations to support proposals and explore new business opportunities
• Create and present case studies at conferences and workshops to advance drone use in island restoration
• Collaborate with Communications to craft narratives about drone technologies
• Forge and manage strategic partnerships with NGOs, private companies, and government agencies
• Duty : Project management
• Plan and coordinate heavy lift drone baiting operations as part of island restoration projects
• Develop project-specific drone operation plans with interdisciplinary teams
• Secure necessary flight waivers and clearances from aviation and land management authorities
• Ensure compliance with operational plans and regulations
• Manage drone operation teams to deliver projects
• Manage contracts and agreements in line with responsible fiscal practices
• Conduct post-operation reviews and ensure documentation is complete and accurate
• Duty : Innovation and improvement
• Coordinate with the Conservation Innovation Manager to develop and refine new drone-based tools and methods
• Identify and assess emerging drone use cases with teams and experts
• Integrate promising new technologies into Island Conservation’s restoration operations
• Duty : Supervision and capacity building
• Supervise contracted drone pilots as required for project delivery
• Build internal drone operation capacity by training and mentoring team members
• Develop and maintain instructional materials and digital guides for safe equipment use
• Duty : Other
• Support other duties as assigned that align with the position’s scope and goals

Requirements

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should apply to Include a cover letter (with desired salary and remote location) and a resume.

Island Conservation is an equal-opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and equitable working environment. We value cultural diversity of our team and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

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