Director of Operations & Culture

The Nature Conservancy • Honolulu, HI

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

What We Can Achieve Together: The Culture & Operations Director strengthens the Hawai‘i and Palmyra Business Unit (BU) by leading organizational effectiveness, people and culture support, and operational alignment during a period of significant organizational change. The role helps the BU translate Division and organization‑wide initiatives into clear BU practices, communications, and systems. The Culture & Operations Director builds long‑term resilience across culture, operations, and cross‑functional coordination, ensuring staff and programs have the support needed to deliver results. We’re Looking for You: The Culture & Operations Director reports to the State Deputy Director and serves as a cross‑functional integrator and organizational effectiveness lead for the Hawai‘i and Palmyra BU. They partner with the State Deputy Director, People Team, Finance, Operations, and Program Directors and Leads to establish shared goals and clear success factors; to design and implement practical operating rhythms; and to embed change‑management practices that support staff through Division and organizational shifts. This position will be based out of the Honolulu Office and the expectation of the role is to be in office 2-3x per week. They will: Lead culture & engagement practices within the BU—facilitating two‑way communication, staff engagement activities, and manager support; and building routines that sustain a healthy, connected, high‑performance culture. Drive operational excellence and systems alignment—mapping workflows, clarifying roles and handoffs, strengthening internal controls, and improving cross‑team coordination across Finance, Operations, HR, Culture & Engagement, and programs. Translate strategy into execution—turn Division/TNC initiatives into BU‑level processes, timelines, and communications; monitor progress against goals; and adjust plans with stakeholders. Provide finance‑adjacent leadership (non‑finance technical role)—work with Finance leads to ensure staff understand core processes, deadlines, and implications of organizational finance changes, while maintaining ownership of operations and culture deliverables. Coach and enable leaders and teams in change‑management tools and practices; anticipate risks and interdependencies; and facilitate issue resolution across functions. This position leverages enterprise standards and contributes to skill transfer across the BU with an emphasis on cross‑functional planning, process improvement, and organizational effectiveness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years related experience or equivalent combination
• 5 years of project management experience or 3 years acting as a project lead
• Direct experience working on and experience consulting on managing and tracking multiple projects, managing and implementing complex processes time management.
• Experience managing project teams and working with cross-functional staff
• Experience working with a highly matrixed, decentralized and collaborative organization.
• Experience meeting time sensitive deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Credentialed certification in Highly Effective Teams® (HET) or Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent program
• Critical analytical thinking and excellent English writing skills
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to negotiate, influence, and persuade
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences
• Ability to acquire quick fluency in Business Unit strategy
• Familiarity and knowledge related to Business Unit area of focus.
• Experience supervising staff, interns and/or volunteers
• Ability to develop and drive new ideas and approaches.
• Proficiency in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Successful experience implementing strategic program goals.

Responsibilities

• Map and improve BU operating mechanisms (planning cycles, meeting rhythms, decision rights, role clarity, intake/triage)
• Act independently and in supervisor’s stead, as needed; exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems
• Strengthen internal controls and risk‑mitigation practices; ensure alignment with TNC policy and Division guidance
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information
• Champion inclusive, values‑aligned culture; facilitate feedback loops; and coordinate staff communications
• Support HMT in adopting TNC change‑management practices to guide teams through Division and organizational shifts
• Partner with Finance leads to communicate timelines, dependencies, and impacts of organizational finance changes; improve staff understanding of how financial systems intersect with BU operations, without serving as a finance technical specialist
• Model collaborative, systems‑oriented leadership across the BU and Division
• Ensure that BU processes adhere to Conservancy policies and procedures; support audit readiness and documentation standards in partnership with functional leads
• Coach and enable leaders and teams in change‑management tools and practices; anticipate risks and interdependencies; and facilitate issue resolution across functions.
• Exercise independent judgment; act on behalf of the State Director and State Deputy Director as delegated
• May manage or participate in complex negotiations
• Serve as a liaison across functions and with Division partners to ensure consistent standards and effective information flow
• May supervise one or more administrative or professional staff, including training and professional development
• Travel occasionally, working long and flexible hours as needed
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain
• Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines
• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director