The Senior Director for Climate Risk represents The Nature Conservancy's interests at the organizational level in conservation, public policy, and/or private sector engagements. This position will focus on ways to leverage the insurance industry, and wider financial services, to reach the Conservancy’s goals in the climate change field both in domestic and international circles. S/he will explore the relevance of the industry to the mitigation and policy side of climate. S/he would develop a strategy to garner more support from the industry for domestic and international climate policy action. S/e would provide support to our existing work which seeks to develop insurance policies to protect nature, integrate nature into underwriting and risk models and explore new ways to promote nature-based resilience.
The Senior Director for Climate Risk works directly with leaders in national agencies, legislative bodies, corporations, and/or multilateral financial institutions to promote conservation and The Nature Conservancy’s objectives. This includes advocating national and/or global conservation policies and programs, cultivating partnerships and launching specific initiatives of importance to the Conservancy’s global, national, divisional and field programs. S/he works with key Conservancy staff leading programs or projects to provide an understanding of the range of public funding, policy, and/or corporate engagement opportunities and to assist in successfully leveraging those opportunities. S/he serves as a subject matter expert on key national and international programs; on engaging corporations in strategic and transformative collaborations and designing these collaborations, and advises senior management on strategic options for the Conservancy’s involvement in such programs. S/he also develops and implements national legislative and/or international policy initiatives to advance the Conservancy’s conservation goals.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manages multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training, and career development. Establishes clear directions and sets stretch objectives.
- Develops and operates within budget guidelines to ensure sound financial performance.
- Establishes and maintains optimal standards for departmental performance.
- Ensures that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
- Ensures that program meets all lobbying, contractual and legal regulations and standards.
- 10 years of related senior-level experience.
- Extensive network in industries and associations connected to and impacted by climate risk.
- Expert knowledge of government laws and regulations in relevant geography, if required.
- Expert knowledge of corporate practices, corporate sustainability, and key sectors and corporations where TNC should pursue engagements, if required.
- Experience with fundraising, including private donors, foundations multilateral agencies, bilateral agencies and corporations.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives
- Experience managing and supervising a large multi-disciplinary team and managing a program budget.
- Experience working with current and evolving political, legislative, corporate, and conservation trends on a national, regional, and/or international level.
- Experience in directing or participating in complex negotiations and presenting to and communicating with government officials, corporate executives, board members and others.
- Experience designing, implementing and directing multiple and multifaceted projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
- Master’s degree appreciated.
- Senior management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team.
- Superb communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including key public policy decision-makers and other government officials, corporate executives, major donors, board members and others who are critical to the organization’s overall prosperity.
- Works effectively in high-tension situations and maintains composure under pressure. Diffuses high-tension situations comfortably.
- Creates and communicates a compelling vision.
- Commands attention, can change tactics midstream, and manage group processes during presentations or discussions.
- Demonstrated ability to develop constructive and effective working relationships inside and outside the organization.
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.