Director, Conservation Finance

Redstone Search Group; Canada; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is seeking a Director of Conservation Finance to join a dynamic team focused on nature-based solutions. This role involves developing carbon sales strategies, fostering partnerships, and applying innovative financial mechanisms within a collaborative environment. Candidates should have significant experience in carbon finance and a commitment to sustainability and conservation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7-10+ years of experience in carbon finance, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), and conservation finance.
• Demonstrated expertise in NBS and carbon programming.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement NCC’s carbon credit sales strategy.
• Develop innovative financial mechanisms for nature-based solutions projects.
• Manage partnerships focusing on conservation finance.

Skills

Sales and marketing expertise

Carbon finance knowledge

Collaboration skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving ability

Education

Post secondary education in Business, Environment, or Sustainability

Job description

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Director, Conservation Finance to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Position Summary

NCC is looking for a dynamic Director of Conservation Finance with our Nature + Climate Projects Accelerator. This role joins an entrepreneurial team developing nature-based solutions projects to connect private sector investment to our mission and accelerate conservation.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Nature + Climate Projects Accelerator, the Director of Conservation Finance brings significant experience in carbon markets, sales strategies and emerging conservation finance approaches in concert with financial and commercial acumen. The individual will originate, lead, and implement carbon sales strategies, corporate partnerships, and innovative financial approaches to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).

The Director role requires an execution-oriented self-starter to deliver results in a highly dynamic environment. Spanning commercial/financial literacy, sales expertise, strategic partnerships, and deep collaboration, the Director must apply multidisciplinary knowledge across business units to achieve organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Sales and Marketing of Carbon Project Portfolio Credits
• Lead and implement NCC’s carbon credit sales strategy.
• Hold primary responsibility for marketing and sales of carbon offsets and offtake agreements.
• Develop and maintain strong external relationships directly with end purchasers and with third party brokers/wholesalers.
• Oversee contract negotiation and execution of sales process.
• Oversee management of NCC’s Registry account, including all dimensions of carbon sales tracking, transfers and retirements.
• Explore other innovative sales channels, including online trading platforms, carbon portals, expansion of third party wholesaler groups etc.
• Conservation Finance: Application of Blended Finance Deal Structures to Projects and Strategic Partnerships
• Develop and apply innovative financial mechanisms to various nature-based solutions projects and outcomes.
• Leverage emerging nature markets to enable private sector investment in nature conservation projects.
• Lead and design deal structures with multiple parties and/or stakeholders to enable project delivery.
• Lead key partnerships and foster new relationships with potential partners through NBS, conservation finance, and/or carbon.
• Apply experience and knowledge to work purposefully with Indigenous communities to achieve NCC’s conservation mission.
• Commercial and Financial Acumen
• Applied expertise in contracts, commercial risk mitigation, and negotiations.
• Experience building and analyzing financial models, sensitivity analyses, etc. for the purposes of attracting private investment capital.
• Application of this knowledge to NCC’s conservation project structures.
• Sales and contracting of carbon offsets through entire product lifecycle.
• Management and mentoring of Accelerator staff, as required

Required Experience

• Minimum of 7-10+ years of proven experience in carbon finance, NBS, and/or conservation finance.
• Post secondary education in Business and/or Environment and/or Sustainability-related programs.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in NBS and carbon programming.
• Proven track record of complex problem-solving to support successful project execution.
• Keen collaborator who thrives in a fast-paced environment – possesses excellent interpersonal skills and fosters a “win as a team” environment.
• Strong communication skills – ability to speak plainly and truthfully and listen with care.
• Self-starter with an enterprising/entrepreneurial mindset and drive – comfortable with ambiguity and keen to take initiative.
• Strong ability to negotiate and influence outcomes.
• Creative thinker and interdisciplinary bridge building skills.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities is a strong asset.
• Risk identification and mitigation for project assurance.
• Sound decision making and knowledge of when to escalate decisions, when required.
• Expertise in sustainability, ESG, and corporate sustainability strategies.
• A strong personal commitment to nature and conservation.

Application Deadline

July 25, 2025 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email [e-mail] make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us [e-mail].