Description
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Southern Division Freshwater Program Director is responsible for establishing and overseeing the programmatic implementation of the Southern U.S. Division’s Resilient and Connected Freshwater program of the Southern US Division Conservation Portfolio. This effort is implemented across a large, complex geographic region covering the Southern Division’s ten states. The Director applies a broad understanding of freshwater strategies, initiatives, and planning, demonstrates excellent collaboration and team building skills, and has experience in U.S. freshwater policy. They also have experience managing efficiently and effectively in a matrixed organizational structure which will be necessary to achieve the program’s outcomes. They assist Business Units and related programs in establishing the enabling conditions necessary for advancement of sub-portfolio strategies and help with identifying, advancing, and scaling successful initiatives across the Division and North America. The Director informs and oversees development of strategic conservation and policy recommendations to maximize the program’s contributions towards TNC’s 2030 goals. They ensure effective communication and build relationships with SUSD BUs and with the North America Region. They manage the annual planning and portfolio management cycle for the Resilient and Connected Freshwater program (strategy, portfolio, and budget review), identifying key milestones and measures and reports of success for the year.
The Director works with dedicated support from Business Units and Programs within the SUSD and across Whole Systems/Divisions to:
- Establish annual programmatic work plans based on resources and funding. Provide high-level oversight and integration of the portfolio of priority freshwater strategies and identify opportunities to scale these strategies across the Division.
- Identify, evaluate, and prepare cross strategy and/or cross geography public grant opportunities.
- Develop and monitor the Freshwater program’s budget.
- Incorporate scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to achieve desired outcomes.
- Address division-wide gaps in support impacting strategy implementation (e.g. deployment of short-term resource needs).
- Evaluate the freshwater program holistically across all SUSD geographies and bodies of work and make portfolio recommendations to leadership on portfolio refinements.
- Monitor the program’s contributions toward the 2030 goals.
The Director works in tandem with the Government Relations team on state and federal programmatic policy (e.g., FWS, NOAA, USACE, NRCS) and legislation that removes implementation barriers and supports implementation of TNC’s work and may serve as the principal government agencies’ contact for aspects of our freshwater work. They work with the philanthropy team to support donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship for the program and play a lead role in public and private fundraising for the program. The Director is responsible for working collaboratively with high level TNC staff and high-level state and external partners to increase and leverage partner capacity and accelerate strategy implementation. They serve as a liaison to TNC North America and Global on efforts involving the alignment of TNC’s freshwater work to meet the organization’s 2030 goals.
This position can be located in any of the states located in the Southern region. They include Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee or Kentucky.
We’re Looking for You:
The ideal candidate will have all or some of these qualifications. If you don’t have all of them, apply anyway and tell us about your skills and experience:
- 10-12 years’ experience in freshwater conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of United States local, state, and federal political environment with respect to environmental and conservation matters.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Experience working on freshwater within the southeastern United States.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means including persuade and influence with the appropriate level of detail, tone, and opportunities for feedback.
- Five (5) years supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Politically astute.
What You’ll Bring:
- BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
- Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
- Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience negotiating.
- Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state or country level.
- Experience with financial management of a large program.
This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’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.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. 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.
Salary Information:
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $94,000 – $150,000 annually. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
