The Director of Conservation Portfolio Management, Southern Division provides strategic leadership and support for the Conservancy’s conservation planning work and helps establish overall conservation priorities for the Division and its major programs and initiatives. The Director of Conservation Portfolio Management has overall responsibility for the management of the Division Conservation Portfolio (DCP). The Division Conservation Portfolio is the portfolio of priority conservation work (land, water, ocean, and climate) across the ten states in the Division (VA, KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL, Al, MS, LA) that will make the largest contribution to TNC’s 2030 Goals (a set of global goals across the organization) This includes leading the development, implementation, and communication of the portfolio, strategy, and budget review processes associated with the DCP, and ensuring the outcomes of those processes are reflected in TNC’s Shared Conservation Hub (conservation database). The Director of Conservation Portfolio Management, Southern Division serves as the principle contact to each state’s conservation director, multi-state programs, and may also liaise with government agencies, other conservation organizations, and external interested parties They work with the Division Director and Division Leadership Team to define clear conservation priorities for the Division. They lead and/or manage teams which support and improve conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical collaboration across the Division, as well as with other divisions, the North America Region and global programs. The conservation manager will work with the Division Director and Division Leadership Team to establish goals and metrics within the Division and develop adaptative management processes that quantitatively assess performance. They will partner with the Division Finance Director, Division Director, and DLT to think strategically about investment of resources for maximum contribution to 2030 goals.

They will be expected to generate, use, and analyze data from TNC’s Shared Conservation Hub; evaluate resource allocation decisions; develop recommendations for management actions that are aimed at improving performance over time; and assist the Division Director to ensure accountability for effective budgeting and execution. The Conservation Manager disseminates best practices, provides training and analyses to best implement organizational measures of success, and to widely communicate solutions, innovative methods, analysis, tools and frameworks. They build strategic and technical capacity in the field; identify and resolve technical issues and widely communicate best practices. They build strategic, scientific and technical capacity with Sub-Portfolio leads.

They will co-lead the Division’s Conservation Cabinet and coordinate meetings of the Conservation Cabinet, Division Sub-Portfolio Leads, Whole System Leads, and the Division’s Science Measures and Strategy Team.

This is a remote role open to candidates located in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Work with the Division Director to ensure alignment of conservation strategies and projects with the 2030 organizational goals.

• Assist the Division Director in advancing, managing, and strengthening at-scale, Division-wide, and multi-state initiatives, programs, and projects.

• Liaise between state teams, multi-state program teams, and the North America Conservation Collaboration regional team to support the field in leading priority initiatives and projects; share regional team perspectives and input from the field on proposed new initiatives, programs, and projects.

• Coordinate the review of the Division’s portfolio of conservation strategies and projects, a key step in the allocation of resources (both staff and financial).

• Coordinate, direct, lead, and/or participate in implementing complex diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization.

• Make independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.

• Ensure input, comprehensiveness, consistency, and quality of data entered in the Shared Conservation Hub. Report on progress against our organizational goals on a consistent basis to the Division Director and to the North America regional team.

• Increase the Division’s ability to accurately track improvements and measure progress in partnership with the Regional Science and Conservation Collaboration teams and Chief Conservation Office’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning program.

• May recruit, retain and manage high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.

• Broad management and leadership responsibility for 10+ staff members, both internal and external to the organization.

• May require travel domestically and evening and weekend hours.

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 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.

Desired Qualifications

• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.

• Knowledge of methods and standards of scientific information systems and initiatives

• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.

• Communicate complex information to relevant audiences.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $94,000 - $150,000. 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. A candidate's geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and they will be provided a salary range specific to their particular location.

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.