Land Protection Director, Appalachians Program
What We Can Achieve Together:
Scientists at The Nature Conservancy have mapped Resilient and Connected Network (RCN) of lands that, if conserved, will help biodiversity and human communities adapt and thrive as the climate changes. The Appalachians geography, which stretches from Alabama to Maine and into 3 Canadian provinces contains critical portions of this network in North America.
The Appalachians (Apps) Protection Director leads or helps catalyze land conservation work focused on large and/or complex land protection projects across the Appalachians, one of the Conservancy’s four current global Focal Places for conservation of biodiversity and natural climate solutions ( click here ).
The Protection Director, working in concert with peers from states and the Appalachian Program, will focus on the largest and most important protection opportunities in this landscape, at a scale found in very few other places in the East. They will lead the Conservancy’s efforts to engage large landowners around conservation opportunities on holdings spanning multiple states. While the Protection Director may not have staff directly reporting to them, they will support teams to implement other critical projects to help secure the RCN. The Protection Director will leverage their expertise in complex protection deals and leadership skills to drive this team to success.
This position will be a member of the Appalachians Core team and will work closely with conservation strategy leads, the Appalachians Director, conservation and protection staff and fundraising staff.
We’re Looking for You:
The Apps Protection Director works closely with corporations, private landowners and conservation partners to secure conservation easements, fee acquisitions, and other interests in land through the use of both traditional and innovative land conservation tools. They will work with a core team of staff from around the Appalachians region (within multiple state business units) and The Nature Conservancy’s Global Protect team to prioritize key potential land protection deals and manage them from start to finish. The Protection Director will use innovative conservation financing approaches and collaborate with fundraising staff to execute large (up to100,000 acres or larger) and/or complex conservation projects that incorporate local community benefits, and may include forest carbon finance options, renewable energy development and other nontraditional protection strategies. The successful candidate will have experience with corporate negotiations, complex approaches to real estate valuation, including the use of sophisticated financial analyses, and a history of successfully completed protection deals. They will also build and maintain collaborative relationships with a global team of protection experts to leverage needed capacity and skills to drive project to completion. They will work closely with the Appalachians and Global Protect Teams to inspire partner organizations, Conservancy leadership, and other key stakeholders to support an ambitious vision for one of the most important conservation landscapes in the world. They may also mentor protection staff across the Appalachians to disseminate best practices and increase organizational capacity for large and complex protection projects.
What You’ll Bring:
BA/BS degree in natural resources management, conservation, business, law or another related field of study and 5 years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, fundraising or other related experience.
Familiarity with real estate appraisals and the appraisal process.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Experience in managing multiple projects and timelines.
Experience negotiating complex agreements.
Experience developing partnerships (partners, community, government).
Experience leading and inspiring teams.
Skilled at leading without specific authority and in a matrixed organization.
Experience working with computers, including database management.
Desired Qualifications
BA/BS degree in natural resources management, conservation, business, law or another related field of study and 5 years of related work experience in conservation, real estate, fundraising or other related experience.
Familiarity with real estate appraisals and the appraisal process.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Experience in managing multiple projects and timelines.
Experience negotiating complex agreements.
Experience developing partnerships (partners, community, government).
Experience leading and inspiring teams.
Skilled at leading without specific authority and in a matrixed organization.
Experience working with computers, including database management.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program . Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
Salary Information:
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $75 ,000 – $120,700 annually . 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.
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 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.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
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.
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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.