Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the State Director functions as the executive director and conservation strategist for the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and plays a leading role in the Midwest Division, which spans several adjacent states and supports major cross-boundary initiatives to protect the Great Lakes, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, address climate change, and more. S/he is accountable for Indiana’s success in implementing TNC’s global conservation approach, producing measurable conservation results and maintaining organizational values.
The key role of the State Director is to lead, manage, and inspire the staff and trustees of the Indiana Chapter to collectively achieve the maximum contribution to the organization’s mission.
S/he ensures success in conservation and fundraising programs, and contributes intellectual, financial, and human resources to priority cross-boundary initiatives. S/he supports alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the most critical conservation priorities of the organization at multiple scales. S/he is therefore responsible for collaborating with others across the division and throughout the organization on the procurement and application of resources in Indiana as well as in areas beyond her/his span of authority. S/he serves as the primary statewide spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, 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 Indiana State Director oversees fundraising and works with staff to secure increased private support for conservation, engaging with major donors and supporting staff in donor cultivation. The Director approves budgets and sets priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals.
The Director organizes staff to meet the conservation needs of Indiana and of the global organization. The State Director reports to the Midwest Division Director and works closely with the Indiana Board of Trustees.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Overall responsibility for conservation results, philanthropy activities and goals of the Indiana chapter, and for integration of regional and global priorities.
- Incorporates organizational values and competencies as foundational elements in all aspects of work.
- Ensures recruitment, management, and development of high quality and effective staff.
- Provides Leadership in public policy efforts in Indiana and the region.
- Ensures that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met.
- Presents and represents Indiana’s and TNC’s vision in a compelling and engaging manner to internal and external audiences as lead spokesperson. Delivers effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on complex topics to employee groups, managers at all levels, board members, and outside organizations.
- Demonstrates a willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout Indiana and globally as required.
- Is Flexible to work beyond the normal workday, including weekends, as necessary during deadline periods.
- Is Responsible for development and execution of the Indiana strategic conservation plan and annual work programs, delivered on time and within budget.
- Ensures that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met.
- Actively participates in Midwest Division leadership team, collaborating on innovative, cross-boundary projects.
- Directs, prepares, presents and/or participates in negotiations of project proposals with governmental, bilateral and/or multilateral agencies.Works well under pressure.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 40%
- Minimum of 7 years of experience as a leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area.
- Extensive and proven management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team.
- Superb communication and presentation skills required, including 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
- Global Experience. Strong competency working effectively across differences such as race, culture, disabilities, socio-economic class and language groups. Experience cultivating strong interpersonal engagement and relationships in a global, multicultural context and leveraging those relationships to drive organizational outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals.
- Success as an inspirational leader who has effectively 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.
- Well organized and self-directed; politically savvy and a team player.
- Successful experience in marketing or fund raising desired.
- Commands attention, is agile, and effective in managing group processes during presentations or discussions.
- Exercises sensitivity and empathy in working in an advisory role with partner organizations.
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.