We seek a proven and dynamic leader to provide strategic direction and inspirational leadership to help start our New Zealand Country Program, and to influence New Zealand’s role in global conservation. The New Zealand Director plays a leading role in creating the alliances and shared agendas with government agencies, private corporations, other Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) from the conservation and development sectors and other stakeholder groups to advance the strategies of The Nature Conservancy.
The New Zealand Director is accountable for success in implementing TNC’s conservation approach, producing tangible and lasting conservation results and maintaining a core set of organizational values including support of our global conservation vision. S/he ensures outcomes are achieved in priority areas, as well as contributes intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the development and execution of regional and global priority efforts. S/he supports alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the most critical projects, threats and strategies. S/he is responsible for collaborating with others on the procurement and application of resources to address the conservation priorities established by TNC. S/he serves as the primary local spokesperson to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, Board of Advisors, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners) and cultivates those audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.
The New Zealand Director maintains a shared responsibility with global and regional staff for developing and approving budgets, formulating and executing public, private and corporate fundraising strategies, cultivating and soliciting donors (private and public) and meeting fundraising goals. The Director is responsible for ensuring that TNC in New Zealand complies with all government regulations as well as TNC policies and procedures.
The New Zealand Director is responsible for the overall management of staff in New Zealand, while sharing responsibility for establishing and holding staff accountable for delivering on annual performance objectives. He/she is also responsible for building and managing an effective and engaged volunteer advisory board and facilitating linkages between this Board, as appropriate, with the Asia Pacific Council.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- In country representation with external parties including the Government of New Zealand.
- External communications within U.S. and New Zealand and internal communications between New Zealand and other units within TNC.
- Implementation of annual work plans.
- Maintenance of compliance with TNC policy and procedures including, finances, human resources, and operations.
- Development, management and approval of annual budgets and amendments.
- Financial reporting and accounting to comply with program, country, and TNC requirements.
- Fundraising, donor management and relations
- Staffing and performance management.
- Develop & implement strategic program plans.
- Willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the operating unit and elsewhere as required.
- Flexibility to work long hours during deadline periods.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Management experience including leading and managing a large multi-disciplinary team.
- Written and verbal fluency in English is required and fluency in the predominant language of the operating unit if other than English.
- Superb communication and presentation skills required.
- Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences including donors, board members, employees, outside partners, or equivalent.
- Experience in fundraising and budget management.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 7-10 years of experience, including experience as a proven leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals.
- Demonstrated commitment to developing and practicing global literacy a must.
- Ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team.
- Demonstrated success as an inspirational leader who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence. Proven managerial talent in budgeting, staffing, and performance management.
- High energy, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards. Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
- Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus. Demonstrated operational, implementation and detail-oriented perspective.
- Well organized and self-directed; politically savvy and a team player.
- Successful experience in marketing or fund raising desired.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, 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.