Associate Director of Operations and Engagement

USA The Nature Conservancy; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy is seeking an Associate Director of Operations and Engagement for the Minnesota North Dakota South Dakota (MNDK) chapter. You will lead chapter operations, including facilities, procurement, IT, and safety, while ensuring staff have the resources and support to advance the chapter's priorities.

You will integrate operations with employee experience, engagement, and internal partnerships, driving changes to improve effectiveness and foster an inclusive and collaborative

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with extensive related experience; minimum 6 years in operations roles; at least 2 years in a management capacity.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for chapter operations including facilities, procurement, IT, and safety.
• Lead staff development, coaching, and performance feedback to strengthen a diverse team.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives and foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace.
• Coordinate operations with HR, Finance, Contracts, IT and other service teams to ensure efficient support to staff.
• Oversee workplace experience and facilities planning, space management, and policy implementation.
• Support organizational change initiatives and successful project deployment across the chapter.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

As our Associate Director of Operations and Engagement, MNDK (ADOE,) you will provide overall direction or leadership for all operations functions within Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. You will be responsible for Procurement, Facilities, Information Systems, Office Management, and/or Safety. You will ensure employees and leaders have the operational support, workplace resources, and organizational connections needed to effectively advance the Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (MNDK) chapter's priorities. You will also serve on the MNDK Senior Leadership Team.

In this role, you will integrate operations, workplace experience, employee engagement, and internal partnerships to solve problems, improve ways of working, implement change, and foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment. By strengthening operational effectiveness and employee experience, you will help the chapter navigate complexity while maintaining focus on mission delivery.

Other areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:

Chapter Operations

Provide leadership and oversight for chapter operations, ensuring staff have the facilities, systems, resources, services, and operational support needed to advance chapter priorities effectively and efficiently. Coordinate office operations, workplace services, safety, vendor relationships, and operational processes that support a productive and positive employee experience.

Staff Leadership and Team Development

Lead and support direct reports and matrixed staff by setting priorities, aligning work, providing coaching and feedback, fostering accountability, and supporting professional growth and development. Promote collaboration, strong communication, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Employee Experience, Engagement, and Inclusi on

Lead initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, connection, and belonging. Oversee onboarding, recognition, staff events, and other activities that help employees feel informed, valued, supported, and connected to the chapter's mission and culture. Serve as Chapter's employee engagement survey champion. Partner with leaders to cultivate an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing workplace.

Operational Coordination and Partnership s

Champion chapter needs in partnership with division HR, Finance, Contracts, IT, and other business services teams. Escalate and help resolve operational issues, improve processes, and strengthen service delivery to support chapter staff and leaders. Maintain strong relationships across the Great Plains Division to identify shared challenges, leverage resources, share best practices, and connect chapter staff with expertise and support from across the organization.

Workplace Experience and Facilities Manageme nt

Lead workplace planning and facilities-related activities that support a productive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment. Coordinate office operations, across Minnesota, North and South Dakota, including space planning, technology acquisition and management, workplace policies, vendor relationships, and facilities services. Lead planning and implementation activities related to office transitions, including employee engagement, workplace readiness, communication, and the establishment of effective ways of working that support collaboration, culture, and organizational goals.

Change Management and Project Implementatio n

Support organizational change initiatives, operational improvements, and strategic projects. Coordinate cross-functional planning, manage project activities, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and help staff and leaders navigate transitions. Support the successful adoption of new processes, structures, technologies, and ways of working that improve organizational effectiveness.

This is a hybrid (remote and in-person 2-3 days per week) position with the expectation for a regular, weekly presence in the Minneapolis office.

Candidate materials will be reviewed by mid-November, with interviews to follow.

We're Looking for You:

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We're looking for someone with strong experience in leading a diverse, multi-disciplinary team.

The ideal candidate should have exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to build effective relationships across teams. If you have experience leading, planning, organizing, and executing multiple projects, and thrive in an environment reliant on collaboration, then this is an exciting opportunity for you to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree and 6 years related experience or equivalent combination, including 2 years managing operations functions.
• Experience leading and impl