New Mexico State Director

The Nature Conservancy•Santa Fe, NM

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is seeking a New Mexico State Director to lead its New Mexico Business Unit (BU). This role involves partnering with colleagues in TNC’s Western US and Canada Division to achieve ambitious conservation goals. The position is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, or within commuting distance, and is hybrid with a preference for more in-office days. The State Director will serve as the visionary leader, senior manager, and principal ambassador for the New Mexico BU, overseeing a team of 18 staff and a 14-member volunteer board. Key strategic conservation initiatives include protecting rivers through innovative water management, restoring forest and watershed health, conserving critical lands and habitats, and strengthening Tribal partnerships using TNC’s Voice, Choice, and Action (VCA) Framework. The role is accountable for the BU’s success in implementing TNC’s conservation approach, achieving measurable results, and upholding organizational values. This includes securing and coordinating resources, capacity, and programs to address critical organization-wide projects and strategies, and collaborating on the procurement and application of resources for conservation priorities. The State Director will act as the primary local spokesperson for TNC, cultivating relationships with staff, volunteers, donors, government agencies, Tribal leaders, and community partners. They will oversee leaders in policy/government relations, fundraising, and finance for the BU, and collaborate with Division-wide leaders in marketing/communications, finance, conservation, and HR. Leadership responsibilities include approving budgets, setting fundraising goals, and supporting philanthropy and external affairs staff in donor cultivation and solicitation. The role is responsible for a significant portion of the BU’s direct fundraising. Additionally, the New Mexico State Director will serve on the Leadership Team for the Western US and Canada Division, contributing to Division priorities such as Indigenous-led Conservation, river restoration, forest and grassland health, climate and renewable energy, and federal policy. This includes leading fundraising efforts and deploying staff to support these Division-level initiatives. The position plays a leadership role in local-to-global fundraising for TNC, reports to the Western US and Canada Division Director, and works closely with the local Board of Trustees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of management experience or equivalent relevant combination.
Leading and managing a multi-disciplinary team with a proven ability to motivate, manage, set objectives, and manage performance.
Experience working and operating in New Mexico.
Experience in natural resources and/or the environment more broadly.
Strategic planning and systems thinking for large, complex initiatives.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

7 to 10 years’ experience as a proven manager in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals.
General knowledge of the natural resources and politics of New Mexico and the Western US, their conservation challenges, and current management approaches.
Experience in fundraising and commitment to increase program fundraising success.
Experience building partnerships or multi-lateral agreements across business and/or government.
Experience creating and fostering an environment that allows staff to feel empowered and creating a culture of trust, fairness, and development.
Experience developing collaborative partnerships with Tribal governments, Pueblos, or Indigenous-led organizations.
Experience cultivating effective interpersonal engagement and relationships in a global, multicultural context and developing relationships to drive organizational outcomes.
Proven skills in board development and recruitment for fundraising and influencing results.
Exposure to policy influence and development.
Working proficiency in Spanish.
Navigating and managing within a global, matrixed organization.
Politically savvy.

Responsibilities

Lead the New Mexico Business Unit (BU) and serve as a partner with colleagues in TNC’s Western US and Canada Division.
Serve as the visionary leader, senior manager, and principal ambassador for the New Mexico Business Unit (BU).
Lead strategic conservation initiatives including river protection, forest and watershed restoration, land and habitat conservation, and strengthening Tribal partnerships.
Ensure outcomes are achieved in priority areas and contribute resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary efforts.
Support the alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs.
Collaborate on the procurement and application of resources to address conservation priorities.
Serve as the primary local spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences.
Cultivate audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.
Oversee the leaders of policy/government relations, fundraising, and finance for the BU.
Partner with Division-wide leaders of marketing/communications, finance, conservation, and HR.
Approve budgets, set priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals.
Support philanthropy, resources and external affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors.
Be responsible for a significant portion of the BU’s direct fundraising.
Serve on the Leadership Team for the Western US and Canada Division.
Lead fundraising efforts and deploy staff to support Division-level initiatives.
Play a leadership role in local-to-global fundraising for The Nature Conservancy.
Uphold uncompromising integrity and transparency, modeling the highest ethical standards.
Foster trust across the organization.
Lead efforts to shape conservation initiatives for New Mexico and the Western US and Canada.
Align financial management with long-term sustainability and mission-driven impact.
Convey ideas clearly and persuasively across wide-ranging audiences.
Guide effective decision-making by understanding how different parts of the business interconnect.
Promote unity and collaboration across teams and departments.
Manage and empower a team of 18, fostering comprehensive leadership and accountability.
Demonstrate cultural competency and Tribal right relations through respectful partnerships and experience working with Tribal Nations and Pueblos.
Comply with TNC’s Auto Safety Program, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.