Managing Director, Data, AI and Applied Technology

The Nature Conservancy•Washington, DC

5d•$275,000 - $330,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Managing Director, Data, AI & Applied Technology advances The Nature Conservancy (TNC)'s conservation mission by defining how data, applied technology, and artificial intelligence create measurable mission and business value. This is a newly created role and a first-of-its-kind function at TNC: it owns the “what, who, and why” of data, applied technology, and AI, including what decisions must improve, what outcomes matter most, where data can create mission advantage, and how emerging technologies should be responsibly explored and applied. The role then translates these insights into coordinated, collaborative execution to deliver measurable outcomes. This role leads enterprise business data strategy, domain data ownership, data governance accountability, responsible AI governance, use-case prioritization, value realization, and adoption, and partners closely with the CIO organization, which owns technical data platforms, architecture, engineering, controls, and scalable delivery. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer with a dotted line to the Chief Executive Officer, and a dotted-line partnership with the Chief Information Officer, the Managing Director serves as TNC's senior authority on business data and AI strategy and governance, applied and emerging conservation technology, the NatureChat and conservation intelligence workstreams, technology partnerships, and external thought leadership and cross-NGO positioning.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, law, data science, data governance, natural resource management, or other relevant field and 10 or more years of experience, including 5 years of experience at a senior level in a global and/or multi-product line organization, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in partnership development with corporations, community leaders, governments, and non-profit organizations in multiple countries, including experience with high-level government and conservation contacts.
Experience translating organizational strategy into data, analytics, applied technology, or AI-enabled business outcomes.
Experience with executive-level communication and influence, including building credibility with non-technical senior audiences and technical partners.
Experience leading governance, decision rights, adoption strategies, change management, and benefits realization across a matrixed organization.
Experience with data privacy, security, ethical data use, responsible AI, and inclusive change leadership.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in business, law, data science, data governance, natural resource management, and/or other relevant field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in global, federated, or mission-driven organizations.
Experience establishing federated data governance, responsible AI governance, domain data ownership, or data product operating models.
Familiarity with conservation science data, geospatial data, fundraising or donor data, marketing data, HR or people data, finance data, or comparable complex data domains.
Track record building organizational data literacy and adoption, encompassing culture and behavior change, not just tools.
Experience cultivating external technology partnerships, academic collaborations, in-kind support, or pro bono expertise.
Comfort with ambiguity and an entrepreneurial approach, including experience shaping a new enterprise function while maintaining governance discipline.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain TNC's enterprise business data, applied technology, and AI strategies, aligned to conservation priorities and organizational goals.
Establish and mature a federated domain data ownership model across Conservation, Science, Development/Membership, Marketing, HR, Finance, Legal, Operations, and other enterprise domains.
Lead enterprise data governance from a business accountability perspective, and establish responsible AI governance guidance, acceptable-use expectations, and risk-review processes.
Build executive and domain-leader commitment to data stewardship, data quality, responsible AI, and adoption, and develop data and AI literacy programs in partnership with People, Learning, IT, and business domains.
Build and manage a high-performing, globally aware team spanning business data strategy and governance, responsible AI, portfolio management, adoption, and data culture.
Operate as an enterprise partner and trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team, and represent TNC in external forums on responsible AI, conservation data, and mission-driven data strategy.
Manage an annual operating budget covering team, tools, and external services, and negotiate and manage contracts with vendors and service partners.
Navigate the unique dynamics of a globally federated organization, building consensus across regions and business units while maintaining enterprise standards, and champion a culture where people at every level can confidently use data to make decisions.