A LITTLE ABOUT US
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.
We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Whether it’s career development, work/life balance, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued.
Although you’ll see requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Passion, innovation, and diversity are all key components to advancing our Mission and we encourage you to apply.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
Reporting to the CEO, serving on the Executive Leadership Team, and working with the Board of Directors, the Global Lead, Policy & Government Relations is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the organization and establishing long-range goals, plans and policies to engage with governments, corporate leaders, and others for optimal organizational success. They provide the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure that TNC has the optimal public policy and public funding strategies to effectively ensure the accomplishment of long-term conservation results and climate solutions. As part of TNC’s Executive Leadership team, the Global Lead, Policy & Government Relations also contributes to planning and advancing operational excellence across the organization.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Global Lead, Policy & Government Relations influences climate and conservation public policy in the United States and the more than 70 countries and territories in which TNC operates and catalyzes over $150 million per year in public funding to support TNC goals.
They lead a team of 80+ policy and science professionals and work with external partners, including high-level government officials, and with all five TNC regions. This public policy team advances policy changes that support the transformational outcomes set forth in TNC’s 2030 Goals. Through incentivizing public policies directed toward conservation, climate solutions, and equitable outcomes; removing barriers to those outcomes; and influencing public and private funding to support investments in those outcomes, the team is expected to directly support delivery of one-third of our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and one-fourth of our 2030 land conservation goals, along with creating the enabling conditions for all of our climate and conservation strategies to succeed.
Working with external and internal partners, the Global Lead, Policy & Government Relations drives policy and funding changes to close the $700 billion per year global gap in conservation funding to stop losses in biodiversity and positions TNC as a leading conservation and climate solutions organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Leads a staff of 80+ people and indirectly orchestrates the work of dozens of public policy and public funding staff in TNC’s field-based conservation offices in all 50 states and more than 70 countries.
- Leads the development and management of global public policy partnerships; contributes to the development of conservation and climate strategies; drives global, regional, and local public policies that advance conservation priorities; develops and manages strategies for working with partners, including business leaders and government officials, on public policies and public funding opportunities; and secures public funds from countries and global institutions around the globe.
- Ensures TNC’s public policies advance diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, including alignment with principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent of indigenous peoples.
- Represents the organization to very high-level external partners (e.g., highest level government officials)
- Works with the Board of Directors and its committees and presents TNC’s public policy strategies and priorities to the Government Relations Committee of the Board of Directors.
- Decisions affect the organization’s public image and have financial and/or legal impact on the organization.
- Highly diverse work involves participation in the formulation and evaluation of broad public policies and/or long-term programs or making decisions that have broad organizational impact.
- Directs organization-wide programs of strategic importance to the Conservancy through management of multi-disciplinary teams in a matrixed context.
- Negotiates complex, high profile and/or sensitive agreements.
- Delivers effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to employee groups, managers at all levels, board members, and outside organizations.
- Creates and communicates a compelling vision; practices the Conservancy’s core values.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Economy, Law, or related field plus 15 or more years of related experience, or equivalent.
- At least 5 years senior-level experience in environmental, climate, and/or conservation public policy leadership.
- Experience leading, developing and managing a large multi-disciplinary team, including managing senior level leaders.
- Experience conceiving, planning and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Experience evaluating and/or negotiating complex, high profile and/or sensitive agreements.
- Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences including government officials, donors, board members, employees, outside partners or equivalent.
- Experience at a high level in the international and domestic policy arenas and in the public global funding sector, with a strong preference for multi- and bi-lateral experience.
- Experience in fundraising, including cultivation of major public donors.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated.
- High-level experience in government.
- Superlative interpersonal, relationship building, diplomatic and negotiation skills that can be applied to internal and external relationships and diverse personalities.
- Superlative communication and presentation skills.
- A proven track record with a global organization. Experience gained both in and outside the US preferred.
- Recognized as a global leader in field of expertise by peers, government, conservation NGO, and business leaders.
- A proven ability to generate highly leveraged outcomes.
- High energy, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards.
- Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and proven ability to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
- Ability to translate organizational policies and procedures into daily management practice.
- Ability to work effectively and pragmatically under pressure within a variety of simultaneous competing initiatives and issues.
- Proven leadership, managerial and motivational ability to implement a strategic vision and manage change to meet the needs of changing funding environments.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.