WORK WITH US
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact for people and nature around the world in 69 countries, all 50 United States, major US cities and in your neighborhood. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we are committed to a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director, Forestry & Wood Products is responsible for leading a portfolio of work within the Global Lands team to advance forest management programs with commercial, climate and conservation benefits. Reporting to the Managing Director of Global Lands, the Director provides strategic leadership and sets overall priorities to optimize conservation development and climate outcomes and create synergies between Global Lands work and project work being implemented across all Regions and teams across the Conservancy.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Director creates thought leadership and drives delivery of new thinking and operating models for the forestry & wood product sectors to become a more significant contributor to solutions to climate change and rural development. S/he is responsible for refining early strategies developed by TNC and directing implementation related to sustainably growing and advancing leadership in the commercial forestry sector to benefit climate, conservation, community and commercial outcomes. This may include consideration of increasing timber demand as a driver of expanding responsibly managed forest plantations and natural forests and the global interplay between working forest landscapes and forest conservation. S/he leads a direct team and interacts daily with multi-disciplinary teams working to develop and implement practical approaches, including needing to collaborate with and influence the business units, regional and global local and regional TNC teams. Work may include originating and negotiating complex and innovative projects with the timber industry, government agencies, research institutions, landowners, indigenous groups and other stakeholders. S/he will identify funding needs and develop relationships with foundations, philanthropists and government agencies to secure funding for program and contribute to broader work across the Conservancy.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
•Develops and defines the details of an effective Forest & Wood Products strategy and refines the projects that will carry the strategy forward, building on existing work
•Coordinates with the Global Lands Managing Director, the Natural Climate Initiative Director and other key program leads to align agendas that will advance innovation and practical solutions for the forest sector as a significant contributor to climate solutions
•Manage a team of strategy analysts, scientists and economists
•Accountable for advancing and delivering measurable climate, conservation and commercial outcomes through direct projects, partnerships and internal and external relationships
•Serves as the key representative with partners, funders and governments to advance Forestry & Wood Products strategies
•Coordinates with other Global Lands program areas to build and maintain consistency and alignment across the Land’s agenda and with other global TNC priorities (e.g. Water, Cities)
•Participates as a senior leader in the Global Lands team and broader TNC teams and contributes to delivering within highly effective team frameworks and norms
•Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment
•May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
•BA/BS degree and 12 years’ experience in forest management or timber industry or equivalent combination of education and experience.
•Experience with sustainable forestry practices and conservation principles and familiarity with forest certification schemes, global timber markets and forest carbon markets.
•Working knowledge of a range of forest management issues including plantation establishment, improved forest management, restoration, reforestation, conservation, REDD+, fuelwood supply and timber product demand.
•Interest and ability to identify donors and raise funds.
•Experience designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects of strategic importance, including managing finances, supervising multidisciplinary professionals and coordinating with partners while meeting deadlines.
•Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
•Experience developing partnerships (partners, community, government) and negotiation skills.
•Networking skills with high level forest industry and/or forest conservation contacts.
•Experience conceiving and implementing strategic and creative initiatives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
•12-15 years’ experience in forest management or timber industry or equivalent combination of education and experience.
•Masters of Forest Science or Environmental Management or related degrees.
•Knowledge of politics and societal trends with respect to forest management in temperate, boreal and tropical regions.
•Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
•Working experience in key forest management regions such as the US, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Russia or China.
•Ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
•Politically savvy and experience with international bodies such as the UNFCCC, IPCC, Global Partnership on Forest and Land Restoration, FSC, WBCSD.