Climate Adaptation Program Manager

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 in New Hampshire seeks an accomplished conservation professional to serve as its Climate Adaptation Program Manager. The Climate Adaptation Program Manager provides technical, scientific, and policy leadership and support to help communities across New Hampshire adapt to climate change using nature-based solutions. As part of the New Hampshire team, the Climate Adaptation Program Manager is primarily externally focused, and works with state/federal agencies, local communities, and a variety of interest holders to co-develop and implement equitable nature-based solutions in high-priority areas statewide that provide multiple benefits to nature and people at a pace and scale that matches the urgency of climate change, and develops measures of success relevant to ecosystem health and human well-being.

The Climate Adaptation Program Manager is a member of the chapter’s Conservation Team and is supervised by the Director of Conservation.

We’re Looking for You:

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to lasting impact for achieving TNC’s global 2030 Goals in New Hampshire. The Climate Adaptation Program Manager will work with partners at the intersection of conservation science, policy, and public finance to develop, fund, and implement systems-change strategies and place-based projects for advancing nature-based solutions to climate hazards, particularly inland flooding in New Hampshire. They will work with both traditional and non-traditional partners across public and private sectors in the state to incorporate nature-based solutions into conservation planning efforts, transportation and infrastructure projects, and hazard mitigation, development/re-development, and climate resilience projects.

The Climate Adaptation Program Manager will work to demonstrate and communicate that nature-based solutions are an integral and necessary component of risk-mitigation and adaptation as the state and its municipalities improve infrastructure in response to the effects of climate change. They will work closely and in-tandem with TNC NH’s freshwater program, and both lead and assist with project management and fulfillment in coastal, freshwater, and upland ecosystems. They will represent TNC as a leader on multi- disciplinary/multi-partner project teams to design and test the effectiveness of nature-based approaches for improving connectivity, reducing flooding and erosion, and improving water quality and quantity. The Climate Adaptation Program Manager identifies and prepares grant applications, performs fieldwork, including ecosystem assessment and monitoring, manages projects and budgets, and communicates results to a variety of audiences.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Leads development and implementation of NH’s climate adaptation program including the overall strategy, projects that advance our goals, annual plans, and budget.
• Works closely with policy staff to connect climate adaptation projects to improving public policy and changing business-as-usual practices, to strengthen the role of TNC as a leading adaptation partner, and to develop partnerships with federal and state agencies, municipalities, conservation groups, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. Convenes, leads, and collaborates with those partners to enable and support their capacity and ability to plan and implement equitable conservation and adaptation strategies.
• Develops, manages, and scales nature-based solutions projects in partnership with state agencies and municipal partners (e.g. tidal crossings, culvert replacements, improved wildlife crossing design).
• Develops project ideas and work methods using innovative approaches that leverage and build upon TNC’s institutional history of adaptation success, including the use of creative methods of problem-solving, spotting emerging opportunities, new funding mechanisms, and various means of leveraging and scaling work.
• Represents TNC at public meetings and on committees where technical input is required and communicates complex conservation issues to diverse (technical and non-technical) audiences.
• Facilitates capacity building for communities and partners related to adaptation and resilience strategy and develops tools, reports, presentations, and assessments for communicating our engagement.
• Responsible for ensuring that public funds are raised to meet program needs. Maintains optimal program performance standards within budget. Writes grant proposals for support from government granting agencies and private foundations. May manage several grants, contracts, or requests for proposals. Administers grants and other funding sources (incoming and outgoing) and coordinates with grant recipients to ensure adherence to relevant TNC SOPs and any pertinent federal and/or state requirements.
• Frequently makes independent, strategic decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
• May supervise TNC staff, contractors, seasonal employees, volunteers, and interns.
• Works in a complex matrix organization environment and leads cross functional teams at multiple scales.
• Serves on external TNC climate adaptation working groups and committees consistent with expertise.
• Communicates our work with internal and external audiences, including staff, Trustees, donors, members, partners, and public officials.
• Frequently travels throughout NH, sometimes evening and weekend hours.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s of Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Climate Science, Natural Resources, Estuarine/Marine Science, Freshwater Science, Sustainability Science or related field and 3-5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with principles and project management of nature-based solutions.
• Experience leading and working with cross-functional teams.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience preparing grant proposals and reports of findings.
• Experience building relationships and communicating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
• Must have valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly within NH and regionally, as needed.

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!

Additional Job Information:

The New Hampshire Chapter believes in flexibility and as such, team members are working in a hybrid model. This position is full time and has the option of working remotely or from our TNC offices in New Hampshire: Concord, Newmarket, or North Conway, with the expectation of in-person workdays and meetings on a regular basis.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $71,300 – $75,500 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.