Utah State Director

The Nature Conservancy (All); Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks its Utah State Director to lead the Utah Business Unit (BU) in Salt Lake City with in-person and hybrid flexibility. You will partner with Western US and Canada Division colleagues to advance conservation priorities across the region, including the Great Salt Lake and water security initiatives.

The role requires strategic leadership, fundraising acumen, and strong collaboration with Tribal Nations, government agencies, staff, and donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; minimum 7 years of senior management experience or equivalent.
• Experience leading large multi-disciplinary teams and setting objectives.
• Experience working and operating in Utah.
• Experience in natural resources or environment.
• Strategic planning for large, complex initiatives.
• Financial management of multi-million-dollar budgets.
• Experience communicating with diverse audiences including donors and boards.
• Experience working with Tribal Nations and sovereign governments.
• Fluency in English; strong written and oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Utah BU as visionary leader and senior manager, aligned with Western US and Canada Division.
• Oversee policy/government relations, fundraising, and finance; support division-wide leaders.
• Serve as primary local spokesperson to staff, donors, boards, and partners.
• Drive fundraising efforts and partner with trustees and donors to meet goals.
• Collaborate with leadership on cross-boundary priorities and resource alignment.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Communication

Strategic planning

Budget management

Team management

Utah knowledge

Donor relations

Policy liaison

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) seeks its next Utah State Director to lead the Utah Business Unit (BU) and serve as a partner with colleagues in TNC’s Western US and Canada Division as we execute on our ambitious conservation goals. This role is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, or within commuting distance. This role is primarily in-person with some flexibility for hybrid.

With 24 staffacross the state,a 22-member volunteer board, and a strong conservation agenda in place, this role offers a unique opportunity to help shape a resilient future for Utah, the Western US, and the globe.

The Utah State Director functions as the visionary leader, senior manager, and principal ambassador for the Utah Business Unit (BU). Some of the current strategic conservation initiatives that the Utah State Director will lead include 1) restoring and protecting Great Salt Lake, 2) advancing water security across the Colorado River Basin, 3) conserving the Sagebrush Sea, 4) supporting resilience in western dry forests, and 5) advancing climate and renewable energy solutions. They are accountable for the BU’s success in implementing TNC’s conservation approach, producing measurable conservation results and maintaining organizational values. They ensure outcomes are achieved in priority areas that fall within the BU’s responsibilities, and contribute intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary efforts. They support the alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the most critical organization-wide projects, threats and strategies. They are responsible for collaborating with others on the procurement and application of resources to address the conservation priorities established by TNC, both in their ecoregions or BU and in areas beyond their span of authority. They serve as the primary local spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, Tribal leaders, community leaders and other partners) and cultivate those audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.

The Utah State Director oversees the leaders of policy/government relations, fundraising, and finance for the BU and partners with Division-wide leaders of marketing/communications, finance, conservation, and HR. Leadership may include approving budgets, setting priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals, and supporting philanthropy, resources and external affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private, bilateral and multilateral government) to meet fundraising goals. They are responsible for a significant portion of the BU’s direct fundraising.

In addition to their responsibilities leading and managing the Utah BU, the Utah State Director serves on the Leadership Team for the Western US and Canada Division. The Division’s current priorities include cross-boundary, system-scale initiatives in Indigenous-led Conservation, major river restoration, forest, grassland and sagebrush steppe health, climate and renewable energy, and federal policy and public lands. The Utah State Director will lead fundraising efforts and deploy staff to support these Division-level initiatives. The Utah State Director plays a leadership role in local-to-global fundraising for The Nature Conservancy.

The Utah State Director reports to the Western US and Canada Division Director and works closely with the local Board of Trustees.

We’re Looking for You:

We’re looking for a visionary and collaborative leader who is excited to advance ambitious conservation outcomes for Utah and the broader Western US. This role offers the opportunity to lead work on some of the region’s most urgent conservation priorities, including Great Salt Lake, the Colorado River Basin, the Sagebrush Sea, western dry forests, and climate and renewable energy solutions. The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge of Utah, leadership, partnership-building, fundraising, and communication skills, along with a commitment to cultivating trusted relationships with staff, donors, Tribal Nations, government agencies, community leaders, and other partners. This role includes ~40% of total time spent traveling, much of it locally via car or public transit yet some spanning statewide and other locations for broader TNC leadership opportunities.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of senior management experience or equivalent relevant combination.

• Leading and managing a large multi-disciplinary team with a proven ability to motivate, manage, set objectives, and manage performance.

• Experience working and operating in Utah.

• Experience in natural resources and/or the environment more broadly.

• Strategic planning and systems thinking for large, complex initiatives.

• Financial experience managing a multi-million-dollar budget.

• Experience communicating with and presenting to different types of audiences, including donors, board members, employees, and outside partners.

• Experience working with Tribal Nations and sovereign governments.

• Fluency in English; excellent written and oral communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• 7 to 10 years’ experience as a proven manager in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals.

• General knowledge of the politics and natural resources of Utah and the Western US, their conservation challenges, and current management approaches.

• Experience in fundraising and commitment to increase program fundraising success in support of the Conservancy’s global, regional, and local priorities, especially by identifying innovative forms of fundraising, cultivating major donors, and forging relationships and results in the Utah market.

• Experience building partnerships or multi-lateral agreements across business and/or government.

• Experience creating and fostering an environment that allows staff to feel empowered and creating a culture of trust, fairness, and career development.

• Experience developing collaborative partnerships with Tribal governments or Indigenous-led organizations.

• Experience cultivating effective interpersonal engagement and relationships in a global, multicultural context and developing relationships to drive organizational outcomes.

• Proven skills in board development and recruitment for fundraising and influencing results.

• Exposure to policy influence and development.

• Navigating and managing within a global, matrixed organization.

• Politically savvy.

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 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 $190,000 - $202,000. 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.

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.

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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