Director of Conservation Programs

Concord, New Hampshire (NH)

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 Nature Conservancy seeks an experienced professional to provide conservation vision and leadership for the Conservancy’s New Hampshire Chapter.  Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends.  Over the 60 years since our founding, we have grown to be the largest conservation organization in the U.S. and the world.  The Nature Conservancy recently celebrated 50 years of conservation success in New Hampshire, and is currently working on a portfolio of ambitious local, regional, and global conservation initiatives. 

The Director of Conservation is responsible for the management, planning, and implementation of an effective conservation program.  S/he will foster and integrate rigorous science, innovative and critical thinking, strategic cost-benefit analysis, adaptive management, and tactical partner/stakeholder engagement to advance the Conservancy’s ambitious conservation initiatives.  The Director of Conservation will have an instrumental role in maintaining and enhancing the Conservancy’s role as a leader in conservation thinking and practice in New Hampshire and across the region.

The Director of Conservation fulfills the following essential functions:

1. Conservation Vision and Leadership

• Serve as chief partner to the NH State Director in developing a compelling conservation vision and agenda, shaping strategies and priorities, and driving the investment of staff time and resources.
• Understand and integrate the many different facets of the Conservancy’s conservation programs, including our work in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, and our engagement in local, regional, and national-scale initiatives.
• Work with the Conservancy’s multi-state Whole System Project teams (Northern Appalachians, Connecticut River, and Gulf of Maine) to: inform and shape ecosystem-scale conservation strategies; translate WSP vision and plans into tangible actions; and prioritize amongst competing demands for time and resources.
• Serve as the primary conservation staff liaison for the NH Chapter’s Board of Trustees, in order to provide meaningful opportunities for trustees to engage in our conservation work and lend their expertise and perspective.

2. Conservation Program Management

• Provide leadership, inspiration, and oversight to the NH Chapter’s conservation team, including: conservation science and planning, marine conservation, land protection, and stewardship programs.
• Develop innovative methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the needs of natural systems.
• Supervise and support NH conservation staff (currently 3 direct reports). 
• Help to build and enhance the NH Chapter’s strategic, scientific, and technical capacity necessary to advance our conservation initiatives.
• Provide strategic ideas, content, and other assistance to philanthropy and communications/marketing staff to support the Chapter’s fundraising and communications program
• Manage a portfolio of high leverage, high impact projects and partnerships.

3. External Leverage and Influence

• Maintain and enhance the Conservancy’s role as a leading conservation organization, an innovator, a reliable and trustworthy partner, and a source of credible information.
• Build, cultivate and maintain key partnerships and relationships with public agencies, research institutions, private organizations, and other stakeholders necessary to advance our conservation work.
• Collaborate with TNC government relations staff to identify key public policy needs, and to bring TNC’s science and expertise to bear on important policy issues at the state, regional and national levels.
• Seek out and pursue significant public funding opportunities that will deliver resources needed to advance our conservation initiatives. 
• Collaborate with philanthropy staff to support an effective fundraising program including participation in donor events, visits, and communications.

The Director of Conservation reports to the State Director, and will join the New Hampshire Chapter’s Management Team. 

Successful candidates will demonstrate a passion for conservation, a strong ability to synthesize and apply science to real-world conservation challenges, highly effective interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to motivate and manage people, and a drive for outcomes and impact.

• BA/BS degree
• 7+ years of experience in conservation or natural resources management, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.  
• Experience in partnership development.
• Supervisory experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree.  Advanced degree in natural sciences or related field strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in conservation practice or natural resources management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in terrestrial, freshwater, and/or marine conservation.
• Experience in water resource conservation/management and/or climate change resilience/adaptation would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated success as an inspirational manager who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence.
• Demonstrated leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing conservation plans, strategies, and policy.
• Skilled at developing or adapting practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Extensive networking with high-level conservation contacts; political savvy.
• Competence with common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers)

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

The Director of Conservation may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may:

• require occasional physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• present occasional possibility of injury
• occasionally require long hours in isolated settings

This position may also:

• require frequent travel within New Hampshire and periodically elsewhere in New England
• require evening and weekend hours

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.

To apply to position number 42240, 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 July 18, 2014.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

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