Director of Conservation

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 Director of Conservation oversees Maryland and D.C.’s programs in the Appalachians, urban and climate adaptation work, land management, strategies, and conservation support and operations to support our progress to our 2030 goals. They provide leadership for TNC’s conservation planning and works in collaboration with the Deputy Executive Director to establish overall conservation priorities.

They play a key leadership role to support organizational effectiveness and excellence efforts to build a transparent, inclusive, and equitable culture with Maryland and D.C.’s conservation teams. The Director of Conservation will lead and collaborate with program teams on incorporating and implementing equitable conservation principles into conservation work.

The Director of Conservation serves as a primary contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community as needed. They work closely with the strategies and metrics teams to develop measures, monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks to support the design and implementation of conservation initiatives and develops rapid adaptive management approaches to increase the effectiveness of implementation over time. The Director oversees conservation budgets and operations.

What We Can Achieve Together:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Our team in Maryland and D.C. is dedicated to furthering TNC’s mission… Join us!

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines, 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.                                       

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 10-12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing multiple teams including resource allocation and setting shared objectives
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Politically savvy.
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and engagement

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!