Managing Director, Data, AI and Applied Technology

USA The Nature Conservancy; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 275,000 - 330,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

Flexible spending accounts

401(k) with 8% employer match

Parental leave

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks a Managing Director, Data, AI & Applied Technology to define how data, AI, and applied technology create measurable conservation and business value. This new role owns the data/AI strategy, governance, and adoption, partnering with senior leaders to realize mission impact.

You will lead a globally federated data strategy, governance, and responsible AI programs, while driving literacy and collaboration across Conservation, Science, Development, Marketing, and HR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Experience translating strategy into data/AI-enabled outcomes.
• Experience with executive communication and influencing senior audiences.
• Experience leading governance, adoption strategies, and benefits realization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain enterprise data, AI, and technology strategies aligned to conservation goals.
• Establish federated domain data ownership and governance models across units.
• Lead governance, risk review, and responsible AI guidance for the organization.
• Build commitment to data stewardship, data quality, and AI adoption across leadership.
• Oversee budgets, vendor contracts, and external partnerships.

Skills

Executive communication

Data governance

Governance

Partnership development

AI governance

Strategy translation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, law, data science or related field

Graduate degree in business, law, data science or related field

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Managing Director, Data, AI & Applied Technology advances The Nature Conservancy (TNC)'s conservation mission by defining how data, applied technology, and artificial intelligence create measurable mission and business value. This is a newly created role and a first-of-its-kind function at TNC: it owns the “what, who, and why” of data, applied technology, and AI, including what decisions must improve, what outcomes matter most, where data can create mission advantage, and how emerging technologies should be responsibly explored and applied. The role then translates these insights into coordinated, collaborative execution to deliver measurable outcomes. This role leads enterprise business data strategy, domain data ownership, data governance accountability, responsible AI governance, use‑case prioritization, value realization, and adoption, and partners closely with the CIO organization, which owns technical data platforms, architecture, engineering, controls, and scalable delivery. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer with a dotted line to the Chief Executive Officer, and a dotted-line partnership with the Chief Information Officer, the Managing Director serves as TNC's senior authority on business data and AI strategy and governance, applied and emerging conservation technology, the NatureChat and conservation intelligence workstreams, technology partnerships, and external thought leadership and cross-NGO positioning.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and maintain TNC's enterprise business data, applied technology, and AI strategies, aligned to conservation priorities and organizational goals.
• Establish and mature a federated domain data ownership model across Conservation, Science, Development/Membership, Marketing, HR, Finance, Legal, Operations, and other enterprise domains.
• Lead enterprise data governance from a business accountability perspective, and establish responsible AI governance guidance, acceptable‑use expectations, and risk‑review processes.
• Build executive and domain‑leader commitment to data stewardship, data quality, responsible AI, and adoption, and develop data and AI literacy programs in partnership with People, Learning, IT, and business domains.
• Build and manage a high‑performing, globally aware team spanning business data strategy and governance, responsible AI, portfolio management, adoption, and data culture.
• Operate as an enterprise partner and trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team, and represent TNC in external forums on responsible AI, conservation data, and mission‑driven data strategy.
• Manage an annual operating budget covering team, tools, and external services, and negotiate and manage contracts with vendors and service partners.
• You will navigate the unique dynamics of a globally federated organization, building consensus across regions and business units while maintaining enterprise standards, and champion a culture where people at every level can confidently use data to make decisions.

We’re Looking for You:

Are you energized by the chance to build something that has never existed at TNC before? This is a rare opportunity to shape a brand‑new enterprise function from the ground up, one that will define how data, applied technology, and artificial intelligence help protect the lands and waters all life depends on. You will work at the center of TNC's federated, global structure, partnering with the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Information Officer, and Executive Leadership Team to translate emerging technology into real conservation and business outcomes. You will help TNC evolve into an organization where timely, trusted data informs decisions at every level, from field‑based conservation teams to the executive suite. If you thrive on ambiguity, enjoy building consensus across a complex global organization, and want your work on data and AI to translate directly into mission impact, we would love to hear from you. This position is hybrid, with a preference for candidates based in the Washington, DC metro area near TNC's Arlington, VA office, though flexibility exists for candidates located elsewhere.

What You’ll Bring:

Bachelor's degree in business, law, data science, data governance, natural resource management, or other relevant field and 10 or more years of experience, including 5 years of experience at a senior level in a global and/or multi‑product line organization, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in partnership development with corporations, community leaders, governments, and non‑profit organizations in multiple countries, including experience with high‑level government and conservation contacts.
• Experience translating organizational strategy into data, analytics, applied technology, or AI‑enabled business outcomes.
• Experience with executive‑level communication and influence, including building credibility with non‑technical senior audiences and technical partners.
• Experience leading governance, decision rights, adoption strategies, change management, and benefits realization across a matrixed organization.
• Experience with data privacy, security, ethical data use, responsible AI, and inclusive change leadership.

Desired Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in business, law, data science, data governance, natural resource management, and/or other relevant field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in global, federated, or mission‑driven organizations.
• Experience establishing federated data governance, responsible AI governance, domain data ownership, or data product operating models.
• Familiarity with conservation science data, geospatial data, fundraising or donor data, marketing data, HR or people data, finance data, or comparable complex data domains.
• Track record building organizational data literacy and adoption, encompassing culture and behavior change, not just tools.
• Experience cultivating external technology partnerships, academic collaborations, in‑kind support, or pro bono expertise.
• Comfort with ambiguity and an entrepreneurial approach, including experience shaping a new enterprise function while maintaining governance discipline.

Salary Information:

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non‑national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $275,000 - $330,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range includes flexibility depending on experience and unique skill sets. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

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:

• health care benefits
• flexible spending accounts
• 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

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well‑being of the people we employ. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

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.

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

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide‑reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners. To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.