The Deputy Director reports to and works with the Preserve Director and manages direct reports so to oversee all aspects of the Jack & Laura Dangermond Preserve. The Deputy Director provides onsite management and leadership overseeing conservation planning and annual work plans. The Deputy Director cultivates collaborative working partnerships across a highly matrixed team, partner organizations, indigenous tribes and government agencies to increase the pace, scale and impact of the preserve’s conservation and programmatic strategies. This role supports the Preserve Director in managing robust and strategic communications with stakeholders internally and externally. The Deputy Director represents the Preserve Director and may be called upon to serve in place of at meeting and events of high importance.
The priorities of the Deputy Director may evolve over time to correspond to the highest operational priorities and areas in need of attention or extra resources. Willingness to be flexible in work scope is necessary.
- Serves as place-based leader of Preserve and acts independently, exercising independent judgement to identify and solve complex problems.
- Leads cultivation of existing and new strategic relationships with key stakeholders and organizations of interests such as Vandenberg Airforce Base, Chumash, neighbors, Santa Barbara county, and other entities.
- Orchestrates Preserve team and partner planning and communications to develop Preserve development and management objectives and workplans across all functions: visitation, natural resource management, security, etc.
- Serves as a primary interfacing representative for the Preserve with donors, elected officials, government agencies and other parties of interest.
- Serves as a leader in donor identification and cultivation.
- Develops Preserve fundraising strategy with Director and TNC’s Development program.
- Leads management of all on-preserve financials and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
- Leads internal communications and planning between Preserve and other teams within TNC California.
- Directs and manages Preserve team, matrixed teams, and partners in work to carry out Preserve development and management objectives.
- Engages in design of new conservation institute intended to carry out research and education programming.
- Design, plan and manage new initiatives, systems or approaches that will ensure preserve goals and strategies are achieved while directing work of staff, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability.
- Maintains confidentiality of sensitive and emotionally charged information.
- Helps create a culture of trust, transparency and teams.
- Minimizes legal risk to TNC and ensures legal compliance with applicable state and local regulation.
- Works in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience in developing and managing complex team, program-wide strategies and guidelines and planning for successful implementation.
- Experience managing land or business assets and experience working in a highly matrixed organization.
- Experience presenting to diverse internal and external groups such as donors, partners, stakeholders, the public, and internal audiences from different functions.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profits, institutions, community groups and government agencies.
- Experience in negotiating and conflict management.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience developing and administering departmental budget or equivalent.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduate degree or MBA desirable.
- Leadership ability, discretion and excellent judgment.
- Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in conservation, preferably in a non-profit environment.
- Proficient in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data.
- Exceptional analytic and creative skills. Ability to synthesize complex information.
- Positive solution-oriented outlook. Proven ability to succeed through positive influence, persuasion and tact.
- Ability to react to time-sensitive matters as well as manage complex, longer-term initiatives.
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.