Associate Director, Oceans Program Job Listing at The Nature Conservancy in United States of America (Job ID JR101765)

Description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Oceans Program in the California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC California) spearheads innovative and collaborative initiatives to enhance resiliency in marine and coastal ecosystems. If you're looking for a career where you can work with an ambitious and motivated team to develop solutions to the world's most pressing ocean conservation challenges, look no further. The Program catalyzes change by working with resource users, public agencies, corporations, and others to develop cutting-edge science and tools to drive better decisions and stewardship. Current strategies focus on sustainable fisheries, accelerating the restoration of ocean and island ecosystems, and reducing plastic consumption and pollution.

The Associate Director (Ocean Recovery Strategy Lead) oversees all aspects of work related to restoration and recovery of kelp forest and estuarine systems. The Strategy Lead manages a cross-functional team of policy, science, program, and communications experts driving rapid, high-impact marine habitat restoration across California and globally. This role provides strategic oversight and technical expertise, secures philanthropic, state, and federal funding, and builds strong partnerships with external organizations, foundations, and academia. The Strategy Lead serves as the primary liaison to partners, leads donor cultivation and stewardship, and sets the vision, pace, and culture for a high-performing team delivering transformative outcomes for people and nature.

Join us as we develop, advance, and scale science-driven, ambitious, and creative solutions to dramatically increase the pace and scale of marine habitat restoration in California. As the Ocean Program's largest strategy, the Ocean Recovery Team is focused on driving change by elevating ambition around what is possible for marine restoration, creating enabling conditions for scaled restoration, and developing next generation, cost-effective tools and a climate-ready workforce. Our work builds on the best science and restoration practice from around the world to inform policy and solution development and implementation. In this role, you will set the vision and strategy, lead a cross functional team (science, policy, program, communications), steward budgets and grants, secure philanthropic, state, and federal funding, and cultivate partnerships across agencies, academia, Tribes, NGOs, and industry—capturing and sharing lessons learned to advance conservation objectives in California and beyond.

The Strategy Lead:

• Leads a dynamic and matrixed team to advance high impact conservation initiatives across three primary habitats: kelp, native Olympia oysters, and seagrass.

• Develops and executes long-term strategies to achieve strategic goals; drives consistently towards impact.

• Sources, cultivates and manages relationships with key donors and raises funds from public, private, and non-profit entities for program work.

• Oversees the development of communication and knowledge products to share lessons learned, strategies, tools, and case studies.

• Elevates TNC California's profile by engaging nationally and globally; build networks and coalitions to scale impact.

• Manage a multidisciplinary team, including performance, training, and career development.

• Develops and manages internal and external partnerships to achieve conservation outcomes in line with programmatic priorities.

• Ensures alignment of the strategy with broader organizational objectives.

• Fosters collaboration with diverse stakeholders to maximize conservation impact.

• Applies creative, entrepreneurial approaches to problem-solving and strategic management.

• Partners with communications colleagues to leverage media and engage broad audiences.

If you're looking for a career where you can find purpose, come join TNC as the Ocean Recovery Strategy Lead. We're looking for a passionate, strategic, and dedicated leader for this team who will advance this important work across California and around the world. Strong interpersonal and project management skills, creativity, and effective oral and written communication are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!

·       BA/BS degree and 10 years' experience in environmental science, environmental policy, conservation practice, or related fields, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

·       Proven track record in managing complex, multi-faceted programs and scaling projects, particularly in environmental conservation and resource management.

·       Philanthropic fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation and management.

·       Experience developing and managing public/private partnerships.

·       Public fundraising and grant management expertise ideally at both the state and federal levels.

·       Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams, meeting deadlines and executing priority grants and contracts.

·       Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.

·       Partnership development skills, including experience with policy makers, non-profit partners, private sector companies, community groups, academic partners, Tribes, municipalities and state and federal agencies.                                       

Experience with financial management of a large and complex program.

The starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $109,000 – $176,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range.

Ranges per geographical regions:
San Francisco and Los Angeles County: $130,000 - $176,000
Santa Cruz, San Diego, Ventura, Sacramento: $120,000 - $161,000
Chico, Mendocino: $109,000 - $147,000

Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate's qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

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 include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it's career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there's many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One 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. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant's unique experience. Please apply – we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you'll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into 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 and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

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. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

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

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

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.