Description
What We Can Achieve Together:
The People Science Program Manager will be responsible for multiple project management and science planning tasks to support our Economics & Governance, Human Dimensions, and Indigenous Science priorities. Responsibilities include facilitation of collaboration among team members, tracking and coordinating progress and deliverables on multiple complex and interdisciplinary research projects, scheduling, planning, managing team calendars and meeting agendas, facilitating strategic discussions and science communications, supporting fund raising and executing logistics for special events and regular meetings. The Program Manager will track project data, prepare and review reports, maintain organized team filing systems. and work with other project staff to maintain and update reporting dashboards as needed. The Program Manager will respond to inquiries about People Science program activities, create program materials, and draft correspondence on behalf of the team. They maintain expert knowledge of the systems and resources utilized by the team and apply that knowledge to execute tasks efficiently. They will build and facilitate networks by communicating with staff and stakeholders within and outside TNC, strengthening connections among the People Science teams and external partners. The Program Manager will work on the overarching agenda and strategic requirements of the Peoples Science focal area and will also support the individual teams (Economics and Governance, Human Dimensions, and Indigenous Sciences) in managing their workflows and team activities. In this capacity, this position will play a key role in strengthening cohesion across the overall People Science team, balancing shared strategic priorities with the unique needs and approaches of each sub-line, and promoting inclusive, relational practices in day-to-day coordination
Success in this role requires: experience with interdisciplinary collaborations; coordinating multiple team needs, strong organization and attention to detail; excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills; and the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, highly matrixed, and international environment. The Program Manager must be adaptable to shifting needs and priorities, as the People Science line evolves. This role will often work across different scientific and cultural perspectives – bridging economics, social science, and Indigenous knowledge – so cross-cultural competency and openness to worldviews are essential.
Responsibilities and Scope:
Act independently and stand in for the Directors of the People Science line (Economics and Governance, Human Dimensions and Indigenous Science) when needed, exercising independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
Co-design and manage projects that advance the strategic goals of Global Science and The Nature Conservancy, ensuring People Science contributions drive those strategies.
Facilitate the development of programmatic strategies and theories of change aligning the interests of Economics and Governance, Human Dimensions and Indigenous Science teams with larger organizational needs. The role will help ensure that these strategies reflect TNC's commitment to equity, reciprocity, and mutual learning across different knowledge systems, linking social science, economic, and Indigenous approaches in support of shared conservation goals.
Manage team workflows and enable effective communication and coordination among Global Science members, particularly across the Economics & Governance, Human Dimensions, and Indigenous Science areas. This includes fostering relational and cross-cultural collaboration among team members, ensuring thatperspectives, including Indigenous and local knowledge systems, inform project design and implementation.
Coordinate the work of virtual, cross-functional, and geographically dispersed individual teams toward desired outcomes or reports, facilitating collaboration among the three People Science disciplines and other science lines.
Research, aggregate, synthesize, edit, and summarize information as needed for projects, proposals, and reports, drawing onsources including scientific literature in economics, social science, and Indigenous studies.
Set up high-level work plans for new projects and initiatives, manage agendas for meetings, and track and follow up on action items – promoting a high-performing culture and use of collaborative tools.
Partner with peers on other global, regional, and country teams to systematize and track metrics that gauge project progress and impact, integrating People Science metrics (e.g., social outcomes, policy influence, community engagement indicators) into TNC's performance tracking.
Manage and curate materials to support People Science communications, including internal newsletters, team updates, reports, and contributions to external communications or press releases. This may involve highlighting how economics, human dimensions, and Indigenous knowledge are informing conservation outcomes.
Report on and communicate project impacts to TNC leadership, partners, and donors – translating People Science findings into compelling narratives that demonstrate their value to conservation.
Stay self-motivated in ongoing learning so that skills remain current and relevant; actively seek professional development in project management and in subject-matter knowledge of People Science disciplines.
Work effectively in a complex matrix organizational environment, navigating relationships across Global Science and other departments.
Provide administrative support for scheduling and logistics of project calls, workshops, and team retreats, ensuring inclusive participation across different time zones and cultures.
Willingness to travel roughly 2–7 weeks per year (locally, regionally, and internationally) as required to meet project and strategy needs. While virtual engagement is prioritized, some projects may necessitate in-person collaboration or on-site meetings (recognizing that travel may include engagement with Indigenous communities or international partners, as People Science work is global in scope).
Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC, we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in, where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We're looking for someone with strong experience in leading a multi-disciplinary team.
The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!
What You'll Bring:BA/BS degree and 5 years' experience in conservation practice or applied social science, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
Experience with project management software and developing project workflows, e.g., Asana
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.
MA/MS degree in a social or interdisciplinary research discipline
Knowledge of and experience with the practical and conceptual challenges of bridging across academic disciplines and multiple ways of knowing
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated – the People Science Program Manager will often work with international colleagues and Indigenous communities, so additional language skills or cultural experience are a plus.
Ability to manage and implement complex processes to meet deadlines, solving logistical or administrative challenges in creative ways.
Experience supervising staff, interns, and/or volunteers, especially in a remote or distributed team environment.
Proficiency in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data – for example, handling data from social science research or economic analyses for reporting.
Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) or other professional certification in project management is desired, indicating formal training in project management practices and methodologies such as Highly Effective Teams.
Experience in training, mentoring, or education, which could involve building capacity in others or leading professional development activities.
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate, influence, persuade, and de-escalate conflicts – especially important in a role that bridges different disciplines and perspectives.
Successful experience implementing strategic program goals, indicating an ability to turn high-level strategies into actionable plans and results.
Residency in Latin America, Africa, or the Asia Pacific regions is desirable but not required.
This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $67,235 – $100,725 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. 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.”
What We Bring:
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.
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