Marine Conservation Director

USA The Nature Conservancy; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

401(k) plan with 8% employer match

Parental leave

Accrued paid time off

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee assistance program

Other life and work well-being perks

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy is seeking the Hawaii Marine Conservation Director to lead the Hawaii Marine Conservation program, setting priorities and guiding science-based, community-led solutions. You will manage a statewide team, collaborate across chapters, and advance conservation objectives with partners and government agencies.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, fundraising, and policy influence, with a focus on Indigenous knowledge and community engagement across the main Hawaiian

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and 10 years' experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years' experience working with and supporting conservation programs with Indigenous communities.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams, providing vision and strategic leadership, and meeting deadlines.
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in marine, coastal, fisheries and coral reef systems relevant to Hawaiï and the Pacific.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, private landowners, academia, and government agencies.
• Experience negotiating.
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the county, state and national levels.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience with financial management of a large program.

Responsibilities

• Geographic/programmatic size and scope is that of a large, complex business unit - the main Hawaiian Islands in the context of the Pacific Region.
• Responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
• Recruits, retains and manages high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.
• Broad management and leadership responsibility for 10+ staff members, both internal and external to the organization.
• Develops long-term strategies and achieves strategic goals and objectives.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.
• May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Politically savvy.
• This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC's Auto Safety Program.

Skills

BA/BS degree and 10 years' experience

Indigenous communities engagement

Strategic leadership

Fundraising and donor stewardship

Marine conservation policy and plans

Supervision and staff development

Partnership development

Negotiation

Communication in English and other key

Financial management

Education

BA/BS degree

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Hawaii Marine Conservation Director (MCD) oversees all aspects of the Hawaii Marine Conservation program area encompassing the main Hawaiian Islands. Provides strategic leadership and support for the Conservancy's conservation work and establishes overall conservation priorities for all islands and major initiatives. To accomplish this, the Hawaiï Marine Program strategic approach is to collaboratively develop and demonstrate science-based, community-led and Indigenous knowledge informed solutions to address major marine and coastal environmental challenges in Hawaiï. We scale-up successful models through partnerships and community-engagement, policy, community networks, restoration, emerging leader development, and communication. The MCD reports to the Director of Conservation, leads and manages a statewide marine conservation team, and collaborates with other chapter programs to achieve Conservancy-wide, Regional, Pacific Division and Chapter objectives. They serve on leadership teams contributing to overall Hawaiï and Palmyra Chapter direction and management and meet organizational norms and requirements. The MCD is responsible for all aspects of the Conservancy's marine conservation planning and resource prioritization, partnerships, program execution and program growth throughout Hawaiï, in close collaboration with the Marine Science Director. Together, marine conservation and marine science teams and their work constitute the Hawaiï Marine Program. The MCD works collaboratively to define conservation priorities and advance strategic initiatives that conserve and restore marine and coastal ecosystems across the main Hawaiian Islands, sustaining biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, and benefitting both nature and people. They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner in Hawaiï. The MCD serves as the principle contact to government agencies. They work closely with other conservation organizations, foundations, the academic community, and Hawaiian and local communities. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with partners to conserve and protect ecosystems and develop and implement conservation strategies. With Conservancy leaders, they play a leading role in securing public and private funds, developing key policy initiatives and communicating about program efforts.

What You'll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 10 years' experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years' experience working with and supporting conservation programs with Indigenous communities.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams, providing vision and strategic leadership, and meeting deadlines.
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in marine, coastal, fisheries and coral reef systems relevant to Hawaiï and the Pacific.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, private landowners, academia, and government agencies.
• Experience negotiating.
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the county, state and national levels.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience with financial management of a large program.

Roles and Responsibilities/Duties:

• Geographic/programmatic size and scope is that of a large, complex business unit - the main Hawaiian Islands in the context of the Pacific Region.
• Responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
• Recruits, retains and manages high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.
• Broad management and leadership responsibility for 10+ staff members, both internal and external to the organization.
• Develops long-term strategies and achieves strategic goals and objectives.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.
• May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Politically savvy.
• This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC's Auto Safety Program.

Salary Information: The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $119,500 - $129,500. 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. 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 are many reasons to love life inside TNC. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and stay for the people."

What We Bring:

• 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

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.

Work Environment:

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, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

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.

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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.