Director of Conservation

The Nature Conservancy; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

401(k) plan

Parental leave

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks a Director of Conservation to lead strategic planning, program development, and on-the-ground conservation in Kansas and the Great Plains. You will coordinate with state partners, foundations, and government relations to advance conservation priorities and secure resources for ambitious 2030 goals.

Ideal candidates bring deep conservation expertise, strong leadership, and a proven ability to translate science into policy and action while building cross‑disciplinary

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and 7 years' experience in conservation practice or related field.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including finances and coordinating professionals.

Skills

Fundraising

Project management

Supervisory experience

Partnership development

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

BA/BS degree or equivalent

Job description

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 includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it's career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there's lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor. Our 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. We know we'll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! To quote myriad TNC staff members, "you'll join for our mission, and you'll stay for our people."

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Director of Conservation oversees all aspects of conservation, protection, science, and stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas and plays an active leadership role in co-managing the conservation priorities that maximize the Great Plains Division's collective contributions to realizing the Conservancy's ambitious 2030 goals. This position provides the unique opportunity to have a significant conservation impact in Kansas, across the Great Plains Division (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa), and beyond. With a focus on leading with conservation to accelerate impact, this role will collaborate with others across the Great Plains Division and U.S. region to build partnerships and provide leadership and support for TNC's strategic conservation planning work; establish and oversee the implementation of conservation priorities; and be responsible for measuring and reporting progress towards 2030 Goals. The Director of Conservation serves as the principal contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community. They will play a leading role in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship for the programs they support. The Director of Conservation disseminates best practices, provides training and analyses to implement organizational measures of success, develops key partnerships with public & private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues, and widely communicates solutions, innovative scientific methods, analysis, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs. They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within their area of responsibility, define conservation priorities, lead and manage teams that support and improve conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. They engage local community support for conservation efforts, negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities, and develop and implement conservation strategies. This role may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. Frequent travel and evening and weekend hours are possible.

Additional Job Information:

The Nature Conservancy's direct, on-the-ground conservation work in Kansas began more than 50 years ago. The Kansas chapter was later formed in 1989. Since then, The Nature Conservancy has become a trusted name in conservation within Kansas, working to protect the state's high-priority prairies and streams; promoting regenerative agricultural practices; advancing renewable energy development while protecting ecologically sensitive areas; and engaging partners, supporters, and others in our work. With a talented staff of 25 located across the state, an operating budget of $6 million, an engaged Board of Trustees, and a robust conservation agenda in place, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape and implement a strategic approach to Kansas' conservation priorities - and to help shape a resilient, equitable future for the Sunflower State. This role will be based in Kansas and work in a flexible, hybrid working environment (in-office and at-home).

We’re Looking for You:

The Director of Conservation has a deep conservation background, is process-oriented, and can lead a team with excellent managerial, communication, and people skills. They have experience in strategic planning, can infuse conservation and science into strategy development and execution, not only within Kansas but across the Great Plains Division. The Director of Conservation must be visionary yet practical, seasoned yet adaptable, and an effective implementer able to administer change. They will aid The Nature Conservancy in being a powerful voice in the conservation community in the Great Plains Division. This role will lead the program planning and implementation work for Kansas's grasslands, freshwater, agriculture, land protection, and community-led conservation strategies, and provide thought partnership to our climate and clean energy efforts. In addition, the Director of Conservation will be a key contributor to the Conservancy's cross-boundary work in the Southern High Plains Initiative, Flint Hills Initiative, Mississippi River Basin, and across the broader Great Plains Division portfolio (Grasslands, Resilient Waters, Natural Climate Solutions, and Indigenous Right Relations) This role will require strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to explain complex conservation issues to general audiences. The Director of Conservation works closely with our State Director and partners with philanthropy staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors. They will collaborate with government relations staff in policy strategy to secure public funding to meet revenue goals and work with Communications and Marketing staff to share stories of success.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 7 years' experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• 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.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world! The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers. We're proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!