Based in Minneapolis, MN, the State Director functions as the executive director and conservation strategist for the MN/ND/SD Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and plays a leading role in the Great Plains Division, which spans several adjacent states and supports major cross-boundary initiatives to protect the Great Lakes, Mississippi River, prairies and grasslands, address climate change, and more. They are accountable for the chapter’s success in implementing TNC’s global conservation approach, producing measurable results and maintaining and strengthening organizational values.
The key role of the State Director is to lead, manage, and inspire the chapter staff and trustees to collectively achieve the maximum contribution to the organization’s mission.
They ensure success in conservation and fundraising programs, and contributes intellectual, financial, and human resources to priority cross-boundary initiatives. They support alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the most critical conservation priorities of the organization at multiple scales. They are therefore responsible for collaborating with others across the division and throughout the organization on the procurement and application of resources in Minnesota and the Dakotas as well as in areas beyond their span of authority. They serve as the primary statewide spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners) and cultivate those audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.
The MN/ND/SD State Director oversees fundraising and works with staff to secure increased private support for conservation, engaging with major donors and supporting staff in donor cultivation. The Director approves budgets and sets priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals.
Though the empowerment of other managers, the Director develops and supports a staff of over 100 to meet the conservation needs of the chapter and of the global organization. The State Director reports to the Great Plains Division Director and works closely with the state program Board of Trustees.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Overall responsibility for conservation results, philanthropy activities and goals of the MN/ND/SD Chapter, and for integration of regional and global priorities.
- Incorporates organizational values and competencies as foundational elements in all aspects of work.
- Ensures recruitment, management, and development of high quality and effective staff.
- Provides leadership in public policy efforts in the chapter and the region.
- Ensures that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met.
- Presents and represents the chapter’s and TNC’s vision in a compelling and 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, and outside organizations.
- Demonstrates a willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the geography and globally as required.
- Is flexible to work beyond the normal workday, including weekends, as necessary during deadline periods.
- Is responsible for development and execution of the chapter’s strategic conservation plan and annual work programs, delivered on time and within budget.
- Ensures that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met.
- Participates in Great Plains Division leadership team, collaborating on innovative, cross-boundary projects.
- Directs, prepares, presents and/or participates in negotiations of project proposals with governmental, bilateral and/or multilateral agencies.Works well under pressure.
- Extensive and proven management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience with communication and presentation skills , including experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences including donors, board members, employees, outside partners, or equivalent.
- Experience in fundraising and budget management.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Global Experience. Strong competence in working effectively across differences such as race, culture, disabilities, socio-economic class and language groups. Experience cultivating strong interpersonal engagement and relationships in a global, multicultural context and leveraging those relationships to drive organizational outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals.
- Success as an inspirational leader who has effectively motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence. Proven managerial talent in budgeting, staffing, and performance management.
- High energy, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards.Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
- Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
- Well organized and self-directed; politically savvy and a team player.
- Successful experience in marketing or fund raising desired.
- Commands attention, is agile, and effective in managing group processes during presentations or discussions.
- Exercises sensitivity, emotional agility and empathy in working in an advisory role with partner organizations.
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.