Office Location:

This is a hybrid position located in Lawrence, Kansas.

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 Nature Conservancy (TNC) is seeking an engaging and innovative Kansas State Director to lead the State Business Unit and partner closely with the Great Plains Division as we execute on our ambitious conservation goals.

The Conservancy has worked in Kansas for more than 30 years, protecting more than 190,000 acres of land and serving as a trusted partner in state and regional land and water management initiatives. The Kansas Chapter works closely with a variety of partners on conservation strategies statewide including our priorities of Land Protection and Stewardship, Water and Agriculture, and Climate and Energy.

With a talented staff of 25 located across the state, an operating budget of $5 million, an engaged Board of Trustees, and a robust conservation agenda in place, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape and implement a strategic approach to Kansas’ conservation priorities—and to help shape a resilient, equitable future for the Sunflower State.

As the Kansas State Director, you have the unique opportunity to continue implementing Kansas’ great conservation priorities for a resilient future for its residents. The State Director also has an important leading role in the larger Great Plains Division supporting multi-state initiatives; driving forward Kansas-specific initiatives that align and meet the overall greater initiatives of the Great Plains Division.

The State Director leads staff and trustees, cultivates new and existing donors, expands partnerships, and builds a broader constituency for conservation across the state. As a leader in the Kansas conservation movement, the State Director plays a primary role collaborating with partner organizations, government agencies, elected officials and other key decision-makers to build alliances and shared agendas that advance science-driven conservation outcomes in Kansas, across the Great Plains, and globally.

The State Director is accountable for the chapter’s success in implementing TNC’s global conservation approach, producing measurable results, upholding organizational values, and supporting the ongoing work of equity while leading an inclusive workplace culture. The State Director is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Chapter’s work and culture.                

We’re Looking for You:

We’re looking for someone who is a passionate, motivated problem-solver, a demonstrated leader and manager of people, and an excellent communicator. This role offers a unique opportunity to design and implement a strategic approach to conservation of nature—and to help shape a resilient future for all Kansans. Come join TNC and apply today! Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC.

Overall, you are an: Energetic, creative, big-picture thinking visionary, with high ethical standards, able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization. You have strong communication and EQ skills to work with internal and external stakeholders. The ability to drive results through your team by fostering an environment of trust, growth, and development.  All with the underlying passion and motivation of the positive impact and change you can make on the world.

The State Director essential functions include:

• Leading, managing, inspiring, and motivating staff, donors, trustees, and partners, to collectively achieve the maximum contribution to the organization’s mission and 2030 Goals. This includes presenting and representing the business unit’s and TNC’s vision in a compelling and engaging manner to internal and external audiences as lead spokesperson.
• Overall responsibility for conservation results that are equitable and fair, including philanthropy activities and goals of the Kansas business unit, and for integration of divisional, regional, and global priorities; Ensures that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met.

• Directing, preparing, presenting and/ or participating in negotiations of project proposals with governmental, bilateral and/or multilateral agencies.
• Managing the development and execution of the chapter’s strategic conservation plan, budget and financial plans, and annual work programs, all delivered on time and within budget.
• Ensuring recruitment, management and development of high quality and effective staff.
• Supporting seasoned and emerging staff through creating a culture of collaboration, personal accountability, innovation, and high morale.
• Fostering DEIJ successfully by and leading a diverse workplace culture, nurturing a safe and inclusive environment for all.
• Continuing cultivating a volunteer Board of Trustees that provides strategic leadership and guidance in setting program goals and active fundraising.
• Providing leadership in conservation, fundraising and marketing in support of local, divisional, regional, and global outcomes.
• Working with staff to secure increased private and corporate support, engaging major donors, corporations, and foundations.
• Approving budgets and sets priorities that dictate private and public fundraising goals.
• Providing leadership in public policy efforts within the chapter, division, and the region.
• Cultivating and stewarding strong and cooperative partnerships with governmental leaders and agencies, corporations, foundations, academic institutions, and other conservation organizations.
• Supporting strategic government relations and advocacy efforts on a variety of topics for local and regional impact.
• Actively participating in the Great Plains Leadership Team and Division teams, collaborating on innovative, cross-boundary projects and funding efforts.
• Ensuring program commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met.
• Key factual data and metrics include:     
  • 25 staff members across the state
  • Budget of $5 million and 2 offices across the state.
  • The Kansas business unit is part of the Great Plains Division which also includes the AR, IA, MN, NE, ND, MO, OK, SD and TX business units.  
  • Routine travel throughout Kansas, regionally and globally as required, and can be 40-50% at times
  • The State Director reports to the Great Plains Division Director.

What You’ll Bring:

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of management experience or equivalent relevant combination; including leading and managing a large multi-disciplinary team with the strong ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance.
• Prior financial experience managing a multi-million-dollar budget ($5-10 million).
• Experience creating and fostering an environment that allows staff to feel empowered and create a culture of trust, growth, and development.
• Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences, including board members, key stakeholders, employees, and outside partners.

Desired qualifications:

• Fundraising experience, including closing large gifts up to 6- or 7-figures.
• Experience in conservation or conservation-adjacent industry, such as energy, agriculture, etc.

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!

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

Salary Information:

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and base salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $160,000 - $170,000 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.

How to Apply:

Please apply to Job #55613 at www.nature.org/careers, or apply directly here.  Submit required cover letter and resume separately using the upload buttons.  Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line

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