Kansas, USA

This role will be based in Kansas and work in a flexible, hybrid working environment (in-office and at-home).

#LI-HYBRID

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we'll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply - we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the people."

The Director of Conservation oversees all aspects of conservation, protection, science, and stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas and plays an active leadership role in co-managing the conservation priorities that maximize the Great Plains Division's collective contributions to realizing the Conservancy's ambitious 2030 goals. This position provides the unique opportunity to have a significant conservation impact in Kansas, across the Great Plains Division (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa), and beyond. With a focus on leading with conservation to accelerate impact, this role will collaborate with others across the Great Plains Division and U.S. region to build partnerships and provide leadership and support for TNC's strategic conservation planning work; establish and oversee the implementation of conservation priorities; and be responsible for measuring and reporting progress towards 2030 Goals.

The Director of Conservation serves as the principal contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community. They will play a leading role in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship for the programs they support. The Director of Conservation disseminates best practices, provides training and analyses to implement organizational measures of success, develops key partnerships with public & private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues, and widely communicates solutions, innovative scientific methods, analysis, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs. They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within their area of responsibility, define conservation priorities, lead and manage teams that support and improve conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. They engage local community support for conservation efforts, negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities, and develop and implement conservation strategies. This role may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. Frequent travel and evening and weekend hours are possible.

The Director of Conservation has a deep conservation background, is process-oriented, and can lead a team with excellent managerial, communication, and people skills. They have experience in strategic planning, can infuse conservation and science into strategy development and execution, not only within Kansas but across the Great Plains Division. The Director of Conservation must be visionary yet practical, seasoned yet adaptable, and an effective implementer able to administer change. They will aid The Nature Conservancy in being a powerful voice in the conservation community in the Great Plains Division.

This role will lead the program planning and implementation work for Kansas's grasslands, freshwater, agriculture, land protection, and community-led conservation strategies, and provide thought partnership to our climate and clean energy efforts. In addition, the Director of Conservation will be a key contributor to the Conservancy's cross-boundary work in the Southern High Plains Initiative, Flint Hills Initiative, Mississippi River Basin, and across the broader Great Plains Division portfolio (Grasslands, Resilient Waters, Natural Climate Solutions, and Indigenous Right Relations)

This role will require strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to explain complex conservation issues to general audiences. The Director of Conservation works closely with our State Director and partners with philanthropy staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors. They will collaborate with government relations staff in policy strategy to secure public funding to meet revenue goals and work with Communications and Marketing staff to share stories of success.

• BA/BS degree and 7 years' experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience negotiating.

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 on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

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's direct, on-the-ground conservation work in Kansas began more than 50 years ago. The Kansas chapter was later formed in 1989. Since then, The Nature Conservancy has become a trusted name in conservation within Kansas, working to protect the state's high-priority prairies and streams; promoting regenerative agricultural practices; advancing renewable energy development while protecting ecologically sensitive areas; and engaging partners, supporters, and others in our work.

With a talented staff of 25 located across the state, an operating budget of $6 million, an engaged Board of Trustees, and a robust conservation agenda in place, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape and implement a strategic approach to Kansas' conservation priorities-and to help shape a resilient, equitable future for the Sunflower State.

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 https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $90,000 - $115,000 for annual base salary. 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.

To apply for job ID 56584, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

Our recruiting process is a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we 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.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character 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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC's value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we're registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we're unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.