Climate Director

 

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 74 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

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 (TNC) in Washington works to create a world where people thrive. We are launching a multi-faceted, multi-year effort to reduce carbon emissions in Washington State, elevate the role of Natural Climate Solutions, and integrate TNC’s expertise in landscape resilience and adaptation into a compelling strategic initiative that engages a diverse array of communities and sectors, including rural and tribal communities. The Climate Director will hone and implement a strategic program of work that builds on TNC’s growing role as a leader in tackling climate change. They will work with diverse partners including community-based organizations, landowners, agencies, tribes, and businesses to build support for the climate movement and to deploy expertise to shape climate policy at the local, state, and regional levels. They are a leading advocate for climate strategies within the Conservancy and with external partners and policy makers.

 

1. Climate Strategy Leadership (40%)

• Shape and communicate a bold strategic vision for TNC as a leading organization in the effort to tackle climate change in Washington and as a leader in the Pacific Northwest region
• Design and lead implementation of climate change mitigation strategies for TNC in Washington, including implementation of Natural Climate Solutions strategies in alignment with TNC’s North America and global priorities
• Shape TNC’s climate strategy to live into our organizational values including diversity, equity, and inclusion, and so that we are engaging new partners such as rural interests who are not currently well-represented in the climate dialogue
• Engage across conservation, marketing, government relations, philanthropy, and science teams to ensure information flow, coordination and synergy between TNC’s climate work and the work of other core programs
• Supervise one employee and an annual budget, manage a matrixed team across multiple programs

2. Community Outreach and Partner Engagement (60%)

• Develop and lead TNC Washington’s strategic outreach to partners and communities to strengthen support for actionable and transformative climate policies
• Build partnerships and connections with rural communities, communities of color, environmental justice, and other climate impacted communities to create durable and lasting solutions
• Build and strengthen partnerships with tribes and governments
• Engage with media (print, radio, TV, social) to provide expert opinion, articulate TNC’s positions, and raise awareness for TNC’s climate program and for solutions

 

Level of Position: Senior level position with independent strategic decision-making; Manages team and annual budget

Within the scope of the position, the Climate Director will:

• Participate in leading implementation of WA’s strategic plan
• Frequently make strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and context
• Create, build, and maintain effective partnerships with agency partners, tribal governments
• Support development of private and public funding proposals to support strategy implementation
• Negotiate complex agreements in a political environment
• Work primarily in Washington State, with collaboration with neighboring states and on some national opportunities

Work Environment and Schedule

• Work is generally performed in a professional office environment and involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain
• Willingness to travel frequently within Washington State and occasionally to meetings in other U.S. locations
• Work long and/or flexible hours as needed, including evening and weekend hours when required

 

• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams, contracts, and budgets
• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, business or related field or equivalent combination of education/experience and 6 years of senior level experience
• Experience working across teams in a matrixed setting
• Experience working with donors, the public, media, elected officials, and with people from many different and diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Experience negotiating complex high profile or sensitive agreements
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, and/or government agencies and tribes
• Experience with written and verbal communication, including delivering presentations
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated
• 7+ years’ experience influencing, developing, and implementing greenhouse gas reduction strategies (policies, practices, campaigns) or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in Washington, the Pacific Northwest region, and nationwide pertaining to climate policy and initiatives
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means
• Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff
• Politically savvy
• Fundraising experience, including donor engagement and cultivation
• Ability to commit to TNC’s Code of Conduct and to organizational goals around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Estimated starting salary: $114,000 – $124,000 annually, dependent on qualifications and experience.

To apply to position number 48613, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 3, 2020.

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