Program Manager, Financial Advisory

USA The Nature Conservancy; Virginia (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Health care benefits

401(k) plan with employer match

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy’s Financial Advisory team seeks a Program Manager focused on the fisheries and aquaculture portfolio. You will identify markets and finance projects, design innovative business models, and develop financial outputs to support global conservation finance initiatives.

You will manage engagements, collaborate with field programs, and communicate complex finance concepts to diverse stakeholders, including seafood industry players, impact investors, and philanthropic partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in private equity, venture capital, impact investing, or related finance fields.
• Direct experience in fisheries, aquaculture, or seafood value chains.
• Experience leading complex projects in evolving environments, esp. emerging markets or sustainability sectors.
• Strong written and verbal English communication to explain complex concepts.

Responsibilities

• Manage a pipeline of markets and finance projects, mainly fisheries and aquaculture.
• Design business models and financial innovations; develop outputs like financial models and business cases.
• Advise field programs on sustainable finance project design and delivery.
• Lead consulting engagements and manage contracted staff.
• Present to internal and external stakeholders including fisheries industry and impact investors.

Skills

Finance analysis

Market analysis

Business model design

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or related field

Tools

Financial modeling

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together: NatureVest is the impact investment unit of The Nature Conservancy, with a vision of a world where financial markets value and integrate natural capital into business and investment decisions as part of creating a sustainable, equitable, and more efficient economy. The Financial Advisory (FA) Team within NatureVest provides market expertise to TNC teams, which includes identifying innovative sources of value for nature and delivering consulting, business model innovation, and finance project development services to TNC teams globally. In addition to contributing to overall NatureVest priorities, this Program Manager position will focus primarily (~70%) on the fisheries and aquaculture portfolio, supporting conservation finance initiatives that will advance TNC’s goals for healthy marine and freshwater ecosystems. This will be a 2-year term role, with opportunity for extension based on budget and performance. This role is open to candidates based in locations where TNC can hire, and expectation is that candidate will be comfortable working some hours that overlap with Eastern U.S. business hours.

Essential Functions

As a Program Manager for the Financial Advisory team, you will support global conservation objectives by identifying sources of value for fishing and aquaculture operations to create new markets and financing innovations that deliver outsized environmental impacts. You will serve as a subject matter expert on finance, market analysis, business model design, and financial innovation, providing internal consulting, advisory, and project management support to TNC conservation programs. As part of this mandate, you will (i) manage a pipeline of markets and finance projects, with particular emphasis on opportunities in fisheries & aquaculture, (ii) design business models or financial innovations, (iii) directly develop outputs including financial models and business cases, (iv) advise field programs on sustainable finance project design and delivery, and (v) manage consulting engagements and contractors to execute on this work. A regular day may include building a pro-forma for an emerging aquaculture enterprise, assisting a field team creating the business case for vessel-level underwriting, or presenting to private sector stakeholders about the value proposition for investing in traceability infrastructure. This position will report to the Director, Market Analysis within TNC’s Financial Advisory team. You will work closely with TNC’s Provide Food & Water division, while being based in and collaborating with the Impact Finance & Markets Division.

Responsibilities & Scope

Contribute to building and maintaining a pipeline of sustainable finance projects, with particular emphasis on fisheries and aquaculture conservation priorities, including large-scale fisheries (tuna, albacore), aquaculture systems (shrimp, salmon, feeds), novel ingredients, and coastal/freshwater fisheries opportunities

In collaboration with Thriving Fisheries & Aquaculture program and other conservation teams, support project management and implementation of sustainable finance projects

Develop essential project documents, such as financial models, business cases, and strategy proposals

Provide consulting and advisory support to conservation teams globally on business and financial matters including value creation, cost modeling, market analysis, business model design, and capital structuring Persuasively communicate complex finance and market concepts to internal and external stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, including TNC program staff, fishing industry representatives, aquaculture producers, seafood buyers and retailers, impact investors, and philanthropic partners

Approach all work with a spirit of collaboration and respect for colleagues and partners across geographies, cultures, and subject matter expertise Travel and work flexible hours, as needed. May supervise one or more administrative or programmatic staff.

What You’ll Bring

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience in private equity, venture capital, impact investing, management consulting, investment banking, or a similar private sector finance environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Direct professional experience in fisheries, aquaculture, or seafood value chains, demonstrated through previous work in seafood value chain, aquaculture operations, fishing industry organizations, oceans- or seafood-focused investment funds, or seafood sector consulting. Experience developing and implementing complex projects and strategic initiatives in unstructured or rapidly evolving environments, particularly in emerging markets or sustainability-focused sectors Experience analyzing business models, developing financial models, or conducting market assessments for operational businesses or investment opportunities Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills in English, with ability to explain complex financial and technical concepts to non-expert audiences.

Desired Qualifications

Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated (with a preference for languages used in major fisheries and aquaculture geographies) Experience communicating and presenting technical work to various audiences. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet time-sensitive deadlines. Strong team player who can build relationships and work collaboratively across the organization and with Conservancy partners. Experience with financial structuring for sustainable commodity production projects, including blended finance mechanisms, outcome-based financing, advanced market commitments, or corporate sustainability-linked financing

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 $100,000 - $130,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. 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. 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.

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.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

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.

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.