The Director of Conservation in Georgia oversees the work of a large, diverse and geographically-dispersed team focused on the planning, development and implementation of strategies tailored for the human and natural communities of Georgia and consistent with The Nature Conservancy’s conservation agenda around the world: Protect Land and Water; Tackle Climate Change; Provide Food and Water Sustainably; and, Build Healthy Cities.
The Director of Conservation in Georgia is a high-level strategic thinker who serves as a key contact to Conservancy global, national and regional strategy leads, government agencies, other conservation organizations, philanthropic supporters and the academic and business communities. This position plays a leading role in ensuring conservation field staff have the strategic guidance, financial and operational resources needed to be effective. They are an active partner with Conservancy development staff in the identification, cultivation and stewardship of donors for the statewide conservation program. The Director of Conservation in Georgia provides analyses and training designed to support staff in reaching organizational measures of success. They play an essential role in communication across the business unit connecting conservation and operational programs and ensuring the perspectives of conservation staff and the senior management team are clearly articulated.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Leads a large, diverse and geographically-dispersed team focused on the planning, development and implementation of conservation strategies in Georgia.
- Develops long-term strategies and builds the organizational structure needed to achieve goals and objectives. In 2020 and beyond this includes leading the development and implementation of strategies designed to address climate change -- reduction in carbon emissions, renewable energy deployment, mitigation, and adaptation.
- Serves as a key communicator of conservation impact internally and externally.
- Recruits, retains and manages high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff with responsibility for performance management, training and career development.
- Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment
- May require frequent travel in state and evening and weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
- Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state level.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying potential donors and donor cultivation.
- Experience with financial management of a large program.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance of a large team.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 10 or more years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated track record of developing large-scale conservation programs based on accepted methodology for decision science or program management.
- Demonstrated track record of deploying resources to effectively achieve defined conservation outcomes.
- Expertise in conservation science and/or conservation planning.
- Knowledge of the natural communities and natural resource issues of Georgia and/or the Southeastern US.
- Knowledge of climate change impacts and strong understanding of climate adaptation and mitigation.
- Politically savvy.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
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.