The Nature Conservancy is the worlds leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Director of Science reports to the State Director. S/he is part of the Senior Manager Team and is responsible for implementing the best applied science methodologies throughout the state by managing a team of scientists and working collaboratively with conservation program directors and staff. S/he will achieve success in the job by inspiring and coaching the scientists to do the most effective, efficient and creative science that directly meets the needs of the programs and that enhances their credibility within the conservation science community. A wide variety of skills will be required in the position including helping scientists over scientific hurdles, reviewing scientific analyses, papers and outcomes for scientific rigor, managing work performance of individuals, motivating and managing a team of individuals to be greater together than the sum of their parts, coordinating with other senior managers, helping the chapter to think outside of the box to achieve its goals within financial constraints, fund raising with foundations, individuals and government agencies, building and maintaining a network of academic and applied scientists, and being an advisor to the state director.
The most important qualities being sought are: Experienced and excellent manager of a team of ten or more people. An experienced and visionary scientist who can lead teams through complex projects lead the chapter through paradigm shifts, and influence decision making based upon credible and data driven science. Collaborative senior manager and leader who can work at the senior level of the chapter to help it achieve great conservation outcomes. A leader who can help the TNC team build science credibility with agencies, donors, and leaders.
The Director of Science oversees all aspects of a significant program area/science team encompassing a large, complex geography. Provides strategic leadership and support for the Conservancys conservation planning work and collaborates with Conservation Program Directors to establish overall conservation priorities for the state. S/he can serve as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and academic community. S/he may play a leading role in donor identification, cultivation and stewardship for the program. Disseminates best practices, provides training and analyses to best implement organizational measures of success, and develops key partnerships. Geographic/programmatic size and scope is that of a large, complex OU, This may include one or more of the following functions: Establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the area of responsibility Leads, manages, mentors and inspires a team of multi-discipline scientists which supports and improves conservation efforts Establishes the Conservancy as a key partner in applied conservation science Builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field Develops key partnerships with public & private organizations in order to identify and implement science opportunities and to widely communicate scientific outcomes in compelling and actionable ways to science and non-scientific audiences. Develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs Engages local community support for local conservation efforts Develops and implements scientific strategies
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
BA/BS degree and 10 years experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with certain aspects of fundraising: identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation (if required). Experience directing a major program of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions. Experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc.); experience with high-level conservation contacts.
ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: BA/BS degree and 10-12 years experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience MA/MS or PhD credentials in science preferred Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state and/or country level Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives. Managing and motivating team members, setting goals and leading efforts Delivering practical, adaptable products and services to customers Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages Demonstrated experience in fundraising Successful experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects. Demonstrated success as an inspirational manager who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence. Demonstrated leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization. Successful experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc) including extensive networking with high-level conservation and scientific contacts; political savvy. Proven interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Demonstrated success as a collaborator with conservation practitioners and decision makers.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING: Develops and implements creative ideas to improve overall performance in conservation strategies Formulates, evaluates, and decides broad organizational policies and long-term programs Anticipates, diagnoses, and resolves complex problems and identifies creative solutions Highly diversified work involves participation in the formulation and evaluation of broad policies and/or long-term programs, or making decisions, which typically have broad organizational impact. Directs major program of strategic importance to the Conservancy through management of multi-disciplinary teams.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING: Assesses decisions potential impact on colleagues work, public image, scientific credibility, and financial and legal standings Makes decisions based on incomplete or ambiguous information and accepts associated risks Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, experience, and judgment Decisions may affect organizations public image. Decision may have maximum financial and/or legal impact on the organization
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY: Broad management and leadership responsibility. Recruit, retain and manage high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. Establish clear directions and set stretch objectives. Management responsibility for 10+ staff members, both internal and external to the organization Develops long-term strategies and achieves strategic goals and objectives Identify, cultivate and solicit major donors in support of program activities. Overall responsibility for financial management of program, including setting financial goals, analyzing results, and taking corrective actions. Ensure that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met Ensures that program complies with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal) requirements
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS: Builds cooperative relationships and collaborates with diverse groups, including scientists, land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the general public, to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy efforts Commands attention, changes tactics midstream as necessary, and manages group processes during presentations or discussions May speak with and in front of varied audiences on scientific topics and the Conservancys mission; interacts and provides input/guidance to senior managers Ability to establish excellent working relationships with outside partners, state/local/federal agencies, the academic community, land managers, and private landowners. Leverages constructive and effective relationships inside and outside the Conservancy. Work effectively in high-tension situations and maintain composure under pressure. Diffuses high-tension situations comfortably Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including scientists, preserve staff, and others, providing and obtaining needed information Ability to articulate lessons learned regarding conservation initiative successes and failures Ability to simplify and explain complex scientific data to general audiences Creates and communicates a compelling vision; practices the Conservancys core values.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: The Director of Science may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may: require occasional physical exertion and/or muscular strain present occasional possibility of injury require long hours in isolated settings
This position may also: require some travel domestically require evening and weekend hours
BENEFITS
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
