The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Grounded in science, we develop innovative solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity; respect for people, communities, and cultures; and a collaborative, bipartisan approach. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Terrestrial Conservation Director is a key leader within the Hawai‘i and Palmyra Chapter, representing The Nature Conservancy with a variety of stakeholders and driving a team of professionals to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes within the State and will manage all aspects of work related to strategy development, project implementation, preserve management, and staff supervision, including coordinating complex statewide and field operations programs.  This role provides visionary leadership in the development and implementation of conservation strategies and will participate in integrating efforts across all the chapter’s functions to ensure the chapter is strategically and effectively advancing its conservation priorities.  The Terrestrial Conservation Director provides leadership, strategic direction, and resources to the work of TNC and its partners and is accountable for program success in implementing TNC’s conservation approach, producing measurable conservation results and promoting organizational values.  The ideal candidate will champion the integration of science and indigenous wisdom and practices into conservation efforts and empower local communities to lead conservation solutions rooted in their unique relationships with the land and sea.

The Terrestrial Conservation Director will collaborate with the Conservation and Science Leadership Team, as well as the Director of Philanthropy, Director of Finance and Operations, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Director of External Affairs and their staff to manage program affairs and respond to opportunities and challenges.  They provide strategic leadership while assisting their staff with efforts to ensure accomplishment of targeted annual and multi-year results related to all strategic priorities of their program, while creating a positive, collaborative, and results-driven culture.  This role will develop and utilize a strong team orientation among the island programs and promote a clear understanding of how they work together with the conservation strategies and the chapter’s support functions to best achieve their goals and to maximize efficiencies.

Location: State of Hawai‘i

We’re Looking for You:

Established in 1980, TNC’s Hawai‘i program has forged partnerships to manage over 2 million acres of natural lands and has grown to include Palmyra Atoll. We currently manage 14 preserves and other sites in Hawai‘i and Palmyra Atoll. In Hawai‘i, we work with government agencies, private landowners, businesses, community partners and local stakeholders to protect and restore Hawai‘i’s native watershed forests, coral reefs, and nearshore fisheries for their ecological values and the many benefits they provide to people. At Palmyra Atoll, a National Wildlife Refuge 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i, we facilitate research in this living laboratory to better understand and address global questions around sustainable fisheries and resilience to climate change.

The Hawai‘i and Palmyra Chapter strives to perpetuate its strong track record of conservation success and embraces our unique role as a leader, convenor, facilitator and innovator.  To achieve our goals, we partner with communities, government, businesses and other nonprofits across Hawai‘i and beyond.  In pursuit of our goals, we firmly believe that harnessing local talent is not merely an advantage, but an imperative.  Hiring individuals who intimately understand the unique ecological intricacies and cultural heritage of our islands empowers us to cultivate a harmonious relationship with our environment, fostering a sustainable future for both nature and communities alike.  By championing and nurturing our local workforce, we lay the foundation for a resilient and productive team, capable of unlocking innovative solutions and instigating positive change for our chapter. 

This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience directing a major conservation program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience working with current trends, technologies, and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives, building teams, and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.                                        
• Experience negotiating agreements, contracts, and complex collaborations.                                              
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state or country level.
• Experience with financial management of a large program.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated, especially Hawaiian cultural experience.
• 10-12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Politically savvy.

What We Bring:

Each person who works at TNC contributes to our goal of protecting nature for future generations. Another one of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. We consider life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “You’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.” To learn more, head to YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.  

We’re proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other benefits that support work-life balance.  Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

If you’re interested in working with us, please apply—we’d love to hear from you.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $100,500 – $116,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA and State is Hawai'i. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

To Apply

To apply for job ID 54149, submit your materials (resume and cover letter) online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 5:59 PM HST on November 6, 2023. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.