Deputy Executive Director of Conservation

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Deputy Executive Director of Conservation (DEDoC) oversees all aspects of conservation, science, and stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Georgia and plays an active leadership role in co-managing the conservation priorities that maximize the Southern Division’s collective contributions to realizing the Conservancy’s ambitious 2030 goals. This position provides the unique opportunity to have a significant conservation impact in Georgia, across the Southern Division (comprised of 10 state chapters from Virginia and Kentucky in the north, southward to Florida and Louisiana), and beyond.  With a focus on leading with conservation to accelerate impact, this role will collaborate with others across the Southern Division, the U.S. region, and beyond to build partnerships and provide leadership and support for TNC’s strategic conservation planning work; establish and oversee the implementation of conservation priorities; and be responsible for measuring and reporting progress towards TNC’s 2030 Goals.

The DEDoC maintains contact with government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community, as appropriate. They will lead in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship for the programs they support. The DEDoC disseminates best practices, provides training and analyses to implement organizational measures of success, develops key partnerships with public & private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues, and widely communicates solutions, innovative scientific methods, analysis, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs. They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within their area of responsibility, define conservation priorities, lead and manage teams that support and improve conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. They engage local community support for local conservation efforts, negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. This role will frequently travel across the state and may work some evening and weekend hours. 

The position will be based in Georgia, with a preference for the metro Atlanta area.

We’re Looking for You:

The DEDoC has a deep conservation background, is process-oriented, and can lead a team with excellent managerial, communication, and people skills. They have experience in strategic planning and can infuse conservation and science into strategy development and execution not only within Georgia but across the Southern Division. The DEDoC must be visionary yet practical, seasoned yet adaptable, and an effective implementer able to administer change. They will aid The Nature Conservancy in being a powerful voice in the conservation community in the Southern Division.

This role will lead the program planning and implementation work for Georgia’s Freshwater, Land Management, Oceans & Coast strategies and provide expertise to our Climate work. In addition, the DEDoC will be a key contributor to the Conservancy’s Whole Systems work in the Appalachians, Longleaf Pine, Oceans & Coasts Network, and across the broader Southern Division portfolio (Climate Mitigation, Climate Adaptation, Resilient and Connected Lands, Freshwater, and Oceans & Coasts).

This role will possess strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to explain complex conservation issues to general audiences. The DEDoC works closely with our State Director and partners with philanthropy staff in cultivating and directly soliciting donors. They will collaborate with government relations staff in policy strategy to secure public funding to meet revenue goals and work with Communications and Marketing staff to share success stories.

We’re looking for a skilled, passionate, and dedicated person to lead our Chapter and work within our Division. Systems Leadership, creativity, and the ability to influence without authority are key in this role. If this is you, come join TNC and apply today!

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience in conservation practice, or equivalent combination of education/experience. 
• An understanding of ecology/biology
• Project management experience including coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside an organization.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance. 
• Experience managing a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and senior level staff.
• Experience negotiating complex, high profile or sensitive agreements. 
• Experience in developing program-wide strategies and policies.
• Experience working with diverse groups of staff and partners.
• Strong communication and presentation skills in the English language.
• Well-organized and self-directed, able to delegate appropriately.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team.  Keeps staff informed and expresses appreciation. 
• Proven managerial talent in budgeting, staffing, and performance management.  Delegates responsibility and authority to staff and clearly defines expectations.
• Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.  Demonstrated operational, implementation and detail-oriented perspective.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in conservation, government relations, and non-profit management.