The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is seeking a proven and dynamic leader to serve as State Director of the Idaho Chapter. The Director leads a staff of 26 with an annual budget of $3.6M. As leader in the Idaho conservation movement, the State Director plays a primary role in working with partner organizations, government agencies, elected officials and other key decision-makers to build alliances and shared agendas that advance science driven conservation outcomes in Idaho and around the world.
The key role of the State Director is to lead and manage the Idaho Chapter. S/he is responsible for the Chapter’s success in implementing TNC’s conservation and fundraising programs, and maintaining a core set of organizational values including support and execution of our global conservation vision. S/he ensures outcomes are achieved in priority areas that fall within the chapter’s responsibilities, as well as contributes intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the development and execution of regional and global priority efforts. S/he supports alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the most critical organization-wide projects and strategies. S/he provides focus on securing increased private support for conservation through leading a comprehensive major gifts program and future capital campaigns strategically focused on individuals, corporations and foundations with the capacity to make significant financial commitments. S/he serves as the primary Idaho Chapter spokesperson to internal and external audiences (including staff, TNC leadership, 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, vision and conservation projects.
The State Director oversees fundraising and marketing for the chapter, including approving budgets and setting priorities involving private and public fundraising goals. S/he supports development and marketing in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private and public) to meet fundraising goals.
The State Director is responsible for leadership and management of his/her direct reports and has overall responsibility for the 26 staff and chapter offices throughout Idaho. She/he reports to the Division Director and works closely with the volunteer advisory Board of Trustees.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Asumes responsibility and leadership for conservation results for local, regional and global priorities;
- Recruits, retains, and manages high quality and effective staff;
- Assumes overall responsibility for fundraising activities and goals of the chapter;
- Ensures that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met;
- Presents and represents the program and TNC’s vision in compelling, 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, supporters and outside organizations; and
- Ensures development and execution of a strategic multi-year plan and annual work programs of the Idaho Chapter on time and within budget.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience as a leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or for-profit area;
- Experience in leading and managing a large multi-disciplinary team;
- Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences including donors, board members, employees, outside partners, or equivalent;
- Experience and/or a strong desire to fundraise; and
- Experience in budget management.
Vision, Strategy and Priorities
- High energy, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards;
- Well organized and self-directed;
- Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a large decentralized and geographically dispersed organization;
- Ability to distill and communicate clear priorities;
- Demonstrated success as an inspirational leader who has successfully motivated staff, donors and volunteers to achieve and sustain excellence;
- Strong background in Government Relations; working with and/or for elected officials, state and federal agencies; and
- A team player with the ability to successfully work with and manage the chapter’s volunteer Board of Trustees.
Communication and Fundraising
- Proven experience or demonstrated desire to fundraise;
- Ability to cultivate and develop constructive and effective relationships inside and outside the Conservancy;
- Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to persuasively convey the mission and conservation priorities of TNC to diverse groups including major donors, public agencies, corporate executives, board members, partners and others who are critical to the organization’s overall success; and
- Ability to direct, prepare, present and/or participate in negotiations of project proposals with governmental agencies and other partners.
Operational Performance
- Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, manage performance and develop a large multi-disciplinary team;
- Track record in budgeting, staffing, performance management and staff development;
- Ability to direct major programs of strategic importance to the Conservancy through management of multi-disciplinary teams;
- Comfortable working under pressure;
- Demonstrates a willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the state and elsewhere worldwide as required;
- Has the flexibility to work beyond the normal workday, on weekends, and at other times as required, especially during deadline periods; and
- Accepts that work may require occasional physical exertion and/or physical strain, and exposure to disagreeable elements.
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.