Southern High Plains Initiative Director

The Nature Conservancy

1d • $98,000 - $138,000

About The Position

What We Can Achieve Together: The Southern High Plains of North America spans five TNC state chapters/business units (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) and includes an impressive assemblage of grassland habitats that support important biodiversity and generational working ranches and communities. The region is also the current and ancestral homelands for numerous Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. As the Southern High Plains Initiative Director, you will lead the Southern High Plains Initiative (SHPI), which is a collaborative cross-boundary conservation initiative that centers on TNC’s 2030 grasslands goals. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams across portions of five TNC business units (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) to conserve our most critical grasslands using a variety of conservation strategies and innovative solutions. You will play a critical role for achieving the scale of grassland conservation outcomes that are beyond the reach of individual TNC business units. You will be a spokesperson and key point of contact, both internally and externally, regarding TNC priorities and strategies in the Southern High Plains. You will also serve as an advisor, thought leader, and skilled advocate to establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner in the Southern High Plains, and in appropriate spheres at regional and national levels. While the primary geography of this position is in the Southern High Plains, you can also expect engagement and collaboration with other areas of the Great Plains and with other TNC initiatives, like Sagebrush Sea, global teams as well as partners. You will be responsible for building and leading teams to advance durable land protection and effective management of key grasslands. To help accomplish this, you will work with fundraising staff to identify, cultivate and steward donor relationships. You will be expected to inform and deliver strategic communications and marketing. Lastly, you will design and implement strategies that elevate equity in all aspects of our work. We know that inclusive conservation approaches and attention to the distribution of benefits are essential for achieving SHPI goals. While leading this initiative, you will ensure that TNC integrates support and advocacy for priorities, needs, and outcomes identified by Tribal Nations and indigenous communities. We’re Looking for You: This is a pivotal leadership role that relies on fostering deep partnerships, rapid learning, and adaptability. This position also requires the ability to travel frequently and work evening and weekend hours as needed. This is an exceptional career opportunity for a collaborative, innovative, solutions-based individual with a focus on relationship building and advocacy. If this sounds like you and you're interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization, apply today!

Requirements

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with conservation issues in the Southern High Plains.
• Experience functioning effectively in a collaborative work environment and where implementation occurs with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
• Experience thinking strategically within a complex system, develop practical applications of scientific concepts, and encourage innovation for conservation purposes.
• Experience making decisions in a complex environment, considering multiple perspectives and effectively evaluating risk and opportunity.
• Experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation at the state or national level.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience networking with high level conservation contacts.
• Experience negotiating in complex, multi-stakeholder situations.
• Experience negotiating.
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state or country level.
• Experience with financial management of a large program.
• This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
• Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers."
• Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 10-12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with Tribal nations and indigenous people or communities.
• Experience negotiating and executing real estate transactions, like fee title acquisitions and conservation easements.
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Politically savvy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Southern High Plains Initiative (SHPI)
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams across portions of five TNC business units (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) to conserve our most critical grasslands using a variety of conservation strategies and innovative solutions.
• Be a spokesperson and key point of contact, both internally and externally, regarding TNC priorities and strategies in the Southern High Plains.
• Serve as an advisor, thought leader, and skilled advocate to establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner in the Southern High Plains, and in appropriate spheres at regional and national levels.
• Be responsible for building and leading teams to advance durable land protection and effective management of key grasslands.
• Work with fundraising staff to identify, cultivate and steward donor relationships.
• Be expected to inform and deliver strategic communications and marketing.
• Design and implement strategies that elevate equity in all aspects of our work.
• Ensure that TNC integrates support and advocacy for priorities, needs, and outcomes identified by Tribal Nations and indigenous communities.

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