Director of Conservation Programs, North America Region

Arlington, Virginia (VA) is the preferred location.

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 30 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.
TNC

The Director of Conservation Programs (the “Director”) functions as manager and conservation strategist for the North America Region.  S/he is accountable for ensuring the execution of TNC’s conservation policy and practice projects, producing measurable results and maintaining organizational values, and is a member of TNC’s North America Management Team and TNC’s global Conservation Management Team.  S/he ensures outcomes are achieved by TNC’s policy and practice programs in North America, and contributes intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary strategies.  The Policy and Practice Team currently includes the following programs:

• Landscape conservation
• Restoring America’s forests
• Energy siting mitigation
• Sustainable agriculture
• Ocean and coastal management
• Sustainable fisheries
• Securing freshwater
• Urban Conservation
• Climate change mitigation policy
• US Government Relations Team

The Director supports alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the Region’s most critical opportunities, threats, and strategies.  S/he is responsible for collaborating with North America Division Directors, U.S. Government Relations, Global Strategy Leads, and other organizational leaders on the procurement and application of resources to address our highest conservation priorities.  S/he serves as a spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, 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.

The Director oversees fundraising and marketing for the Regional Policy and Practice Team, including approving budgets and setting priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals. He/she supports philanthropy, resources andexternal affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private, bilateral and multilateral government) to meet fundraising goals.  S/he is responsible for a significant portion of the Team’s direct fundraising. 
TNC

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of experience as a leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area.  Relevant graduate degree preferred.
• Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage the performance of a complex multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience in collaboration, leading without authority, negotiating with peers, and leveraging resources to accomplish shared goals.
• Written and verbal fluency in English, working familiarity with other languages of the region (e.g., Spanish, French) a plus.
• Superb communication and presentation skills required.
• Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences including donors, board members, employees, outside partners, or equivalent.
• Experience in fundraising and budget management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7-10 years of experience as a proven leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals. 
• Experience gained both in and outside the U.S. preferred.  Demonstrated commitment to developing and practicing global literacy a must.
• Success as an inspirational leader who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence. Proven managerial talent in budgeting, staffing, and performance management.
• High energy, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards.  Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
• Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.  Demonstrated operational, implementation and detail-oriented perspective.
• Well organized and self-directed; politically savvy and a team player.
• Successful experience in marketing or fund raising desired. 

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

• Willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the operating unit and elsewhere as required.
• Flexibility to work long hours during deadline periods.
• Requires significant amount of travel (50%+) throughout the Region and frequent time in Washington, DC and TNC’s Worldwide Office in Arlington, Virgnia.                                          

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, a 401k plan, 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. 
TNC

To apply to position number 41445, 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 October 14, 2013.

Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. The information entered in the education and work experience sections are auto screened by the system based on the basic qualifications of the position.

You must click “submit” to apply for the position. You may select “save for later” if you prefer to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited.

If you are experiencing technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contactapplyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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