The Director of Protection works closely with the Director of Conservation Programs to coordinate and implement a comprehensive program to strategically protect areas of conservation significance. The Director of Protection will work regularly with federal, state, and other conservation partners to use a full range of protection tools, including gift, easement, purchase, lease registry, conservation brokerage and cooperative projects with federal, state, and local government, conservation organizations and other partners as appropriate.
The Director of Protection (DOP) has two main functions: organizing a protection program that aligns with protection priorities for our conservation strategies and completing all aspects of land acquisition. They work closely with partners including federal and state agencies, landowners, elected officials, business leaders, and other organizations to pro-actively further our conservation mission and five-year strategic plan. The DOP ensures compliance with internal TNC policies, standard operating procedures and other legalities. They assist in securing public and private funds for land protection, research land ownership information for tracts identified as potential acquisition projects and prepare grant proposals and legal project packages as appropriate. They respond to protection inquiries and, with staff, screen potential protection projects to assess strategic alignment of proposed projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Oversees protection program that requires partnership.
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently and on short notice, sometimes on weekends.
- Negotiates complex real estate transactions, which can bind the Conservancy legally and financially.
- Plans and directs work on protection projects.
- Assumes ultimate responsibility for and ensures timely and thorough completion of all land transactions.
- Secures funding from public and private sources to support land transactions.
- Maintain records related to land transactions.
- May recruit and supervise staff; responsible for performance management, training, and development.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience in managing multiple projects and timelines. Ability to prioritize.
- Experience negotiating and executing complex agreements.
- Experience developing partnerships with organizations, state and federal agencies, and communities.
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience working with computers, including database management.
- Experience with project management
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- 3 to 5 years of related work experience in conservation real estate, fundraising or other related experience.
- Experience writing proposals and securing grant funding
- Experienced with implementing project management processes
- Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to forge positive working relationships and communicate effectively with a diverse array of agency partners and landowners.
- Knowledge of current trends and strategies in conservation and land protection.
- Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government).
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.