Director of Science

The Nature Conservancy•Reno, NV

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Science will assume a critical leadership role for the Nevada and Utah Chapters. The Director’s primary responsibility will be to guide these chapters in developing and deploying an evidence-based, scientific approach to inspire, inform, and shape their conservation and policy strategies. In this capacity, the Director will actively promote positive outcomes for both nature and people within these states, while also collaborating with other programs in the Western United States and Canada Division (e.g., Sagebrush Sea Program and Colorado River Program). The Director’s scientific expertise will be instrumental in driving projects, supervising and mentoring staff, and integrating an evidence-based, scientific approach to conservation planning. This leader will deploy existing and innovative solutions, establish collaborative multi-disciplinary science-based partnerships, and communicate effectively and persuasively. Success will be measured by the ability to work successfully through cross-functional teams to facilitate and produce transformative science that informs and influences conservation efforts for Nevada and Utah that will advance the goals of TNC’s divisional and regional programs. This job will require up to 30% travel between Salt Lake City and Reno and the surrounding areas. The Director of Science is responsible for leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive science vision for the Nevada and Utah Chapters. This vision will serve as a guiding framework for the organization’s scientific endeavors and ensure alignment with its broader conservation goals. The Director fosters a collaborative science community within these Chapters and collaborates with other business units, including leadership and mentorship of a science team comprising both direct reports and other science staff. The Director aligns science capacity and prioritizes workflow to meet conservation strategy needs and identify emerging opportunities and threats. The Director employs strategic thinking and planning skills, contributes to developing and monitoring meaningful conservation metrics, cultivates high-leverage partnerships to enhance the capacity, visibility, and impact of our science in conservation work, conducts and publishes relevant scientific investigations, and empowers others to advance science in priority strategies. Additionally, the Director serves as a member of the Leadership Teams in Nevada and Utah, as well as their Conservation Management Teams, playing a pivotal role in integrating science into conservation and policy initiatives.

Requirements

BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing complex projects including project design, financial management, and accountability for outcomes.
Experience creating partnerships with conservation colleagues, agencies, and/or academic institutions.
Supervisory experience.
Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people.
Experience manipulating, analyzing and interpreting statistical or environmental data.
Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals, original science papers, and/or synthesis papers.
Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
Strong familiarity with and understanding of climate change and its impacts on species, ecosystems, and people.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Must complete a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in a science-related field (e.g. ecology, biology, natural resources, or social science) and 6 years of experience strongly preferred.
Ability to engage in a wide range of conservation issues, analyze complex problems, rapidly build personal/team expertise on new Issues, and develop strategic responses or solutions.
Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Knowledge of species and ecosystems of the western US and familiarity with regional conservation issues.
Understanding of how natural systems can serve as natural climate solutions toward carbon emissions reduction goals.
Ability to utilize and/or deploy social science resources at the nexus of natural resource conservation and community health.
Demonstrated ability to lead and work collaboratively across teams and disciplines with a wide range of partners.
General understanding of environmental policy, laws and regulations as they relate to natural resource management.
Experience and/or publication history in one or more of the following areas: climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, ecosystem services, conservation planning, or spatial analysis.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical and scientific issues to a broad range of audiences and across platforms.
Experience in fundraising that includes writing proposals for and interacting with private donors and foundations.

Responsibilities

Guide Nevada and Utah Chapters in developing and deploying an evidence-based, scientific approach to conservation and policy strategies.
Promote positive outcomes for nature and people within Nevada and Utah.
Collaborate with other programs in the Western United States and Canada Division.
Drive projects, supervise and mentor staff, and integrate an evidence-based, scientific approach to conservation planning.
Deploy existing and innovative solutions.
Establish collaborative multi-disciplinary science-based partnerships.
Communicate effectively and persuasively.
Facilitate and produce transformative science that informs and influences conservation efforts for Nevada and Utah.
Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive science vision for the Nevada and Utah Chapters.
Foster a collaborative science community within these Chapters.
Align science capacity and prioritize workflow to meet conservation strategy needs.
Identify emerging opportunities and threats.
Contribute to developing and monitoring meaningful conservation metrics.
Cultivate high-leverage partnerships to enhance the capacity, visibility, and impact of science in conservation work.
Conduct and publish relevant scientific investigations.
Empower others to advance science in priority strategies.
Serve as a member of the Leadership Teams in Nevada and Utah, as well as their Conservation Management Teams.
Integrate science into conservation and policy initiatives.