Senior Attorney, Carbon Finance
The Nature Conservancy
Accounting & Finance, Legal
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Senior Attorney provides legal advice and direction on complex matters for assigned global programs and strategies including, but not limited to, Impact Finance and Markets, Tackle Climate Change and Policy and Public Funding, with a focus on climate and carbon-related matters. The Senior Attorney works with client teams to structure and implement complex projects, including transaction negotiation, corporate entity structuring and governance, carbon credit generation and carbon credit sales. The Senior Attorney may also support other global transactions with for-profits, NGOs and sovereigns. The Senior Attorney ensures that transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with the Conservancy’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures. They apply strong analytical and risk management skills to serve organizational needs efficiently and effectively and clearly articulate complex legal concepts, including questions of first impression, and options to client teams. The Senior Attorney works within the Corporate Services Legal Team and may also support other functions, including advising on corporate governance matters for TNC subsidiaries.
The Senior Attorney will build relationships across the Conservancy using their ability to clearly communicate complex legal concepts to non-lawyers to facilitate transactions.
We’re Looking for You:
The Senior Attorney will provide legal advice and transactional support for global teams, including teams working on carbon markets, climate initiatives, global conservation transactions, and related activities. This role will focus on structuring, drafting, and negotiating agreements and transactional documents to implement complex carbon and climate‑related transactions, including carbon credit generation and sales, carbon offtake and pre‑payment agreements, financing arrangements, as well as supporting global transactions with for-profit entities, NGOs, sovereign and quasi-sovereign counterparties including drafting and review of other commercial and philanthropic agreements.
They will work closely with multidisciplinary client teams to support the structuring and implementation of complex projects, including advising on corporate entity structuring, governance, and management issues for global programs, subsidiaries, and affiliated entities.
They will ensure that all transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with the Conservancy’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures. They will apply strong analytical judgment, complex transactional, and risk‑management skills to serve organizational needs efficiently and effectively and will clearly articulate complex and novel legal issues, including questions of first impression, to non‑lawyer stakeholders with professionalism and humility.
The Attorney will work within the Corporate Services Legal Team and may also support other functions across the Conservancy, including advising on corporate governance matters for TNC subsidiaries and affiliated entities. The attorney will be part of a specialized team of attorneys and paralegals.
The Attorney will build strong, collaborative relationships across the Conservancy and will use their ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and practically to facilitate high‑value transactions and organizational decision‑making.
This is a remote role based in the United States, with approximately 20% of time available for work‑related travel.
What You’ll Bring:
Juris Doctorate or equivalent and license to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.
Five (5) years relevant legal experience, including significant experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements.
Demonstrated carbon markets and climate expertise, for example, working with carbon projects, carbon-related regulations, carbon offtake & pre-payment agreements, and different carbon credit methodologies.
Strong corporate transactional background, including demonstrated experience in corporate structuring and corporate governance.
In-house experience and/or law firm experience advising sophisticated clients and senior management with a global presence.
Demonstrated ability to work closely as part of a team handling multiple projects and transactions concurrently.
Sound business and deal sense.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience developing, directing, managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
Working knowledge of current trends in carbon markets and climate policy.
Familiarity with carbon regulations in multiple jurisdictions.
Experience working with tax-exempt organizations, including on tax and funding matters.
Experience with engaging and collaborating with outside counsel, including country-specific local counsel.
Experience working across cultures and cultural sensitivity.
Flexibility and collegiality.
Salary Information:
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $125,000 - $175,000. 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. 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.
Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.
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.
