Director of Conservation Programs, Caribbean Program

Coral Gables, Florida (FL)

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 35 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. 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.
 

The Director of Conservation Programs (the “Director”) oversees the execution of the conservation vision of the Caribbean Program which is a large, complex geography.  With nearly 8,000 square miles of coral reefs, over 1,400 species of fish and marine mammals, and over 40 million people dependent upon these natural resources, the Caribbean Program is a global priority for conservation.  The Nature Conservancy has been active in the region for 40 years.  Conservation efforts span the vast landscape with projects in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the five countries of the Eastern Caribbean.  With an annual operating budget of over $8M and more than 45 employees in four countries, two territories, and the United States, the Caribbean Program collaborates with a wide array of partners in government, the non-profit community, the private sector, and academia to advance conservation efforts.

The Director functions as a key manager and conservation strategist for the Caribbean Program.  S/he provides strategic leadership and is accountable for ensuring the timely execution of TNC’s conservation vision and strategy in the Caribbean region, producing measurable results and maintaining organizational values, and is a member of the Caribbean Program’s Executive Team.  S/he ensures outcomes are achieved by conservation programs in the Caribbean, contributes strong intellectual input, and has considerable decision-making on the allocation of financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary strategies.  The Director is accountable for the alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the Program’s most critical opportunities, threats, and strategies. 

• Designs, implements, and directs complex and diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization. 
• Must lead and motivate his/her team and be able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.  Incorporate cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
• Responsible for collaborating with North America Regional Strategy Leads, U.S. and International Government Relations, Global Strategy Leads, and other organizational leaders on the procurement and application of resources to address our highest conservation priorities. 
• Serves as a spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences, including staff, volunteers, the Trustee Board, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners, and cultivates those audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision. 
• Supports development, marketing, and external affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private, corporate, bilateral and multilateral government) to meet fundraising goals.
• Responsible for financial management of program, including setting financial goals, analyzing results, and suggest taking corrective actions.
• May require frequent (50% or greater) travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING

• Work is checked through consultation and agreement with Executive Director but decisions are often made independently with little or no opportunity for management collaboration or oversight.
• Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.
• Assesses decisions’ potential impact on colleagues’ work, public image, scientific credibility and financial and legal standings

• BA/BS degree and 12 years’ relevant international experience, including working at a senior level or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in conservation, complex transactions, marine and/or terrestrial protected areas management, freshwater, marine and terrestrial spatial planning, community-based conservation.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation. Experience in fundraising on behalf of OU and global priorities.
• Experience designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects of strategic importance, including managing finances, supervising multidisciplinary professionals and coordinating the work of partners while meeting deadlines.  
• Experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc.); experience with high-level conservation contacts. Experience working with diverse groups of staff and partners.
• Written and verbal fluency in English, and experience with presentation skills.
• Project/program management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, monitor and manage the performance of a large multi-cultural team. 
• Experience delegating responsibility and authority to staff and clearly defines expectations.  Experience keeping staff informed, monitoring performance, holding them accountable and expressing appreciation. 
• Experience fostering an environment of respect, creativity and professional growth.
• Experience with the cultural norms and history of the Caribbean region.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree and/or MBA, and 12-15 years of experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working command of a second language (Spanish, French) desired. Intermediate conversational and writing skills in Spanish and/or French preferred.
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs; politically savvy. 
• Networking skills with high level personnel and conservation contacts.

To apply to position number 42892, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 24, 2015.

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The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.