Director of Operations, Culture and Engagement

The Nature Conservancy; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 117,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in Colorado is seeking a Director of Operations, Culture and Engagement to lead organizational effectiveness, workplace culture, and employee engagement for a 70+ staff unit. Reporting to the State Director, you will translate strategy into integrated work plans and oversee resources and systems to support mission-driven conservation.

You’ll build strong cross-functional partnerships, oversee a $2M operations budget, supervise a small multidisciplinary team, and drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years related experience, or equivalent, including 3 years in operations management.
• Experience developing and administering departmental budget of $2M+.
• Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience developing, managing and implementing multiple projects and strategic goals.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams across multiple organizational levels.
• Experience, coursework, or training in principles, practices, and procedures of relevant field.
• Experience developing and implementing multi-year strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Translate business unit strategy into integrated Operations, Culture and Engagement work plans.
• Align operations resources and systems with Colorado Business Unit teams.
• Provide leadership across operations, organizational effectiveness, workplace culture, and employee engagement.
• Lead operational follow-through.

Skills

Budget management

Team management

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Relevant field training

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 8 years experience

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together

The Director of Operations, Culture and Engagement serves as a member of the Colorado Business Unit Leadership Team and provides strategic leadership for organizational effectiveness, workplace culture, employee engagement, and operational excellence across the business unit. The Director serves as the senior operational leader for Operations, Culture and Engagement within a complex business unit of more than 70 staff, overseeing an annual Operations Team budget of approximately $2 million and directly supervising a multidisciplinary team of 3 to 5 staff.

What We Can Achieve Together

The Director of Operations, Culture and Engagement serves as a member of the Colorado Business Unit Leadership Team and provides strategic leadership for organizational effectiveness, workplace culture, employee engagement, and operational excellence across the business unit. The Director serves as the senior operational leader for Operations, Culture and Engagement within a complex business unit of more than 70 staff, overseeing an annual Operations Team budget of approximately $2 million and directly supervising a multidisciplinary team of 3 to 5 staff. Reporting to the State Director, the Director translates business unit strategy into integrated Operations, Culture and Engagement work plans, aligns operations resources and systems with Colorado Business Unit teams, and provides leadership across operations, organizational effectiveness, workplace culture, and employee engagement. The Director has delegated authority for significant Operations, Culture and Engagement decisions and represents the Colorado Business Unit in divisional and enterprise initiatives, as appropriate. The Director works within a matrixed organization and partners closely with Finance, Human Resources, Conservation, Philanthropy, External Affairs, and other supporting functional teams within TNC. This role ensures coordinated local implementation, identifies business unit needs and risks, and leads operational follow-through.

We’re Looking For You

We're seeking an experienced leader who enjoys balancing operational excellence with people-centered leadership, recognizing that strong systems and strong culture are both essential to organizational success. You bring strong operational expertise, a talent for building relationships and trust, and a strategic mindset that allows you to connect day-to-day operations with long-term organizational goals. You are equally comfortable advising senior leaders, leading change initiatives, developing staff, and improving systems and processes. In this role, you'll help shape the culture, operations, and employee experience of a dynamic business unit committed to meaningful conservation impact. You'll work across functions and teams, bringing people together around shared goals, solving complex challenges, and advancing initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and operational excellence, creating the conditions that help people and organizations do their best work.

A cover letter is highly encouraged, but not required. Applicants may use this opportunity to describe their interest in the position, relevant leadership experience, and how their background aligns with the responsibilities and goals of the role.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience or equivalent combination, including 3 years managing operations functions;
• Experience developing and administering departmental budget of $2M+;
• Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team;
• Experience developing, managing and implementing multiple projects and strategic goals;
• Experience working with cross-functional teams across multiple organizational levels;
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of relevant field;
• Experience developing and implementing multi-year strategic plans.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated;
• Effective training skills;
• Excellent communication skills including presentations, conversations, and documents;
• Experience managing a geographically dispersed team;
• Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary;
• Proficiency in working independently as well as jointly with colleagues on a team;
• Understanding of best practices in non-profit management.

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. 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.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $117,280 - $137,105. 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.

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.

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.

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 [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.