Ohio Conservation Lead

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a
sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only
achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which
we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent
and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to
innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC
staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Ohio Conservation Lead is responsible for the implementation of the Midwest’s strategic priorities,
with emphasis on those that depend on implementation through team members that are based in Ohio.
The Ohio Conservation Lead (CL) is the most senior Ohio-focused conservation position, provides
leadership for Chapter Conservation teams, and is responsible for the coordination, alignment, and
execution of conservation projects in service of larger organizational goals.

By 2030 the Midwest will contribute to the protection and restoration of more than 20 million hectares
of land, 11.5 million hectares of healthy freshwater, and more than 76 thousand kilometers of rivers
while improving the lives of people that depend on these resources. This is an exceptional career
opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading
conservation organization!

The Ohio Conservation Lead directs an annual budget of $20 to $25 million and a team of 45
professionals to build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field to implement conservation
at scale. In this role, they manage Conservancy field operations through a team with skills ranging from
land management to real estate transactions, community engagement, conservation equity, and the
pursuit of public funding. Through leadership of the Ohio conservation team, support and enabling of
this team, and collaboration with Midwest Strategy Directors and neighbouring Midwest chapters and
divisions, the Lead ensures the implementation of conservation projects aligned with divisional Theories of Change and organizational goals. They serve on the Ohio Leadership Team as a key leader within the chapter. They also serve on the Conservation Cabinet, which directs conservation work within the Midwest Division. They serve as the local contact and as a lead TNC collaborator and point of contact with government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic
community.

A key role for the Ohio Conservation Lead is to support and build the capability of staff to function as a
part of highly effective teams, sometimes leading, sometimes supporting, and always collaborating. In
this way the Conservation Lead is a catalyst to achieving conservation more rapidly, at larger scales, and in ways that provide great benefit to natural ecosystems and people within the state and beyond.

In coordination with the Midwest Strategy Directors, the Conservation Lead helps set strategic priorities,
reviews Midwest strategies, and allocates resources through TNC’s Portfolio Management process.
Additionally, the Lead plays a significant role in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship. They
develop key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues,
communicate solutions and best practices, and develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools,
and frameworks to address natural system needs while also engaging with and benefiting local
communities through conservation efforts.

RESPONSIBILES AND SCOPE

• Geographic size and scope is that of a larger, complex business unit and/or a program that
• requires cross-boundary work and relationships.
• Supervises staff at remote locations.
• Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
• Writes requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for program.
• Frequently makes independently strategic decision based on analysis, ambiguous information
• and context.
• Frequently interacts with Ohio Board of Trustees and attends regular board meetings.
• Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment.
• May be responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
• Frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous
• terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

We’re Looking for You:

Want to help save the planet? Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, 65,000 acres in Ohio
have been preserved for people and nature. From the shores of Lake Erie to the forests of Southern
Ohio, the Ohio Chapter is dedicated to conserving the natural resources that make Ohio unique. This is
an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the
world’s leading conservation organization!

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of
• education and experience.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and
• coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• 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 negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and
• plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for
• conservation purposes.
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or
• related field.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant
• languages.
• Politically savvy.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and
waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most
effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million
members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation
throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility
needs of the people we employ!

Auto Safety Policy:

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety 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." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

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.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $99,520 - $117,470 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.