The Mississippi River Basin Program Director provides strategic leadership and integrates all aspects of the Mississippi River Basin whole system project – including conservation planning, policy and relationship development, outreach and communications, and fundraising support. This program works through a team structure and has been built on strong collaboration between divisions, states and regional programs. Priorities are aligned to shared goals of increased floodplain protection, reduced nutrient loading to the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico, and improved governance based on a collaborative, systems approach. The Mississippi River Basin Program Director also plays a key leadership and support role in building collaborative, shared leadership competencies to pla