The Associate Director for Land Conservation will lead two key areas of our work: (1) identifying and implementing a portfolio of high-impact land protection and associated conservation projects that advance our conservation priorities, using the full range of protection tools including fee simple and conservation easement purchase and gifts, and cooperative projects with federal, state, and local government, conservation organizations and other partners; and (2) serving as a land conservation subject-matter expert as we develop and implement a suite of conservation strategies that maximize the contribution of the New Hampshire Chapter to the regional and global conservation priorities of The Nature Conservancy.
As a key member of our conservation team, the Associate Director for Land Conservation will deploy land protection and associated tactics to help The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire materially contribute towards our organizational conservation goals. She/he will work closely with the Director of Conservation Programs to identify, develop and complete a suite of high-impact land protection and associated land conservation projects including undertaking tasks such as landowner outreach, negotiation and project development, project tracking, project budgeting, grant writing, securing community support, project management, due diligence, and project completion. She/he will also work as an integral part of our New Hampshire chapter strategy teams to help increase the pace and scale with which we are protecting priority lands identified through TNC’s regional science, and to identify opportunities for using land protection as a tactic for advancing other strategic priorities such as carbon sequestration, maintaining water quality, and reducing the risk of flooding.
Project Development & Management
- Conduct landowner outreach in focal conservation areas, identify land protection opportunities, and develop the information needed to screen opportunities based on our strategic priorities
- Develop project budgets including preliminary identification of potential funding sources
- In collaboration with relevant TNC staff, identify and evaluate the merits of a range of potential vehicles for long-term protection including fee simple, conservation easement, and other less-than-fee options
- Negotiate land protection project terms, contracts and, where appropriate, develop conservation easement terms with landowners and partners
- Identify public funding opportunities, develop and submit grant applications, and work with TNC philanthropy staff to identify private fundraising needs
- Follow TNC protocols to solicit, negotiate and contract with vendors for appraisals, surveys, environmental hazard assessments, and other due diligence associated with land protection projects
- Manage land protection projects to completion including TNC’s internal project review and database entry procedures
Strategy Development & Implementation
- Through participation in NH Chapter Strategy Teams, help to identify the role of land protection as a tactic in meeting our conservation outcomes
- Identify and help lead development of innovative land conservation strategies and finance mechanisms such as utilizing carbon markets and other ecosystem service payments.
- Serve as a land protection subject-matter expert in helping to develop and implement conservation strategies that maximize the contribution of the New Hampshire Chapter to the regional and global conservation priorities of The Nature Conservancy
Strategic Resource Allocation
- Support the Director of Conservation Programs in deploying our available resources to have maximum conservation impact including tracking our portfolio of land protection opportunities, identifying key deliverables/milestones, developing timelines to allow management of multiple projects simultaneously, and effectively communicating with NH Chapter staff
Partnership Development
- Maintain and strengthen our land conservation partnerships to increase the pace and scale with which we are helping others protect priority landscapes
- 3 years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, fundraising or other related experience.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements and demonstrated ability to bring negotiations and projects to closure.
- Experience managing multiple projects and timelines
- Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
- Experience working with computers using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
- Valid driver’s license
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3 or more years of experience negotiating real estate agreements
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
- Experience with drafting and interpreting conservation easement language
- Ability to use ESRI GIS software to visualize spatial data
- Knowledge of conservation practices and conservation science.
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land protection, and natural resource preservation.
- Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government).
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
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.