NC Conservation Lead

What We Can Achieve Together The North Carolina (NC) Conservation Lead is responsible for advancing strategic conservation actions and overall management of TNC’s conservation portfolio within the North Carolina Business Unit (NCBU). They provide leadership and support for the Conservancy’s work statewide and ensure conservation outcomes deliver on organizational goals. The Conservation Lead directs and supports teams to advance integrated actions and scientific and technical capacity across priority landscapes. They ensure cross‑boundary and cross‑program collaboration to achieve effective delivery of strategic conservation actions including protection and management of resilient lands and implementation of natural climate solutions. The Conservation Lead serves on the Chapter’s Management Team, informing decision‑making with broad policy, reputation, and conservation impacts. Essential Functions The North Carolina Conservation Lead provides strategic direction for conservation initiatives, ensuring conservation portfolio investments align with organizational priorities and effective delivery of conservation outcomes, including protection and management of resilient lands and implementation of natural climate solutions. The Lead develops key partnerships, disseminates best practices, provides training and analysis, negotiates complex solutions, and identifies and secures public and private funding. They oversee portfolio management, review progress with strategy teams, and ensure milestones and outcomes are achieved on schedule and within budget. The position reports directly to the North Carolina Executive Director, manages cross‑functional strategy and support teams, and may assume additional supervisory responsibilities over time. Responsibilities & Scope Reports to the Executive Director and provides strategic direction for conservation initiatives across the North Carolina Business Unit, ensuring alignment with multi‑year strategies, budgets, and TNC’s global and regional priorities. Provides leadership for execution of integrated conservation actions across priority geographies and programs, including protection of resilient and connected lands and advancement of natural climate solutions. Ensures coordinated implementation and delivery of measurable impacts at scale while balancing innovation, risk, and organizational capacity. Manages a highly skilled team responsible for advancing conservation priorities across North Carolina. Leads or guides standing and as‑needed teams to advance scientific understanding, shared learning, and continuous improvement; cultivates shared expertise across disciplines and with external partners to maximize conservation impact. Oversees conservation portfolios, including land assets; leads design and execution of regular reviews to assess progress of conservation actions against milestones, timelines, and budgets, and uses data and performance metrics to track progress, evaluate outcomes, and inform strategic decisions. Partners with Finance, Philanthropy, Grants and senior leadership to develop, manage, and monitor financial sustainability and responsible stewardship of resources. Ensures conservation portfolio investments align with strategic priorities and deliver timely outcomes within approved budgets. Supports and advances fundraising efforts by partnering with Philanthropy to align funder interests and conservation priorities. Engages directly with major donors, foundations, and institutional partners to communicate strategy, demonstrate impact, and cultivate long‑term investments; develops funding proposals for individual donors, foundations, and public grants. Builds and maintains strong relationships with external partners, including NGOs, public agencies, Indigenous and local communities, academic institutions, private‑sector partners, and other stakeholders. Promotes collaborative approaches that leverage diverse expertise, address shared conservation challenges, and advance equitable conservation outcomes. Serves on the Southern Division conservation cabinet, providing subject‑matter and programmatic expertise while ensuring the North Carolina Business Unit is a major contributor in shaping and delivering the Division Conservation Portfolio. Participates as needed on annual conservation portfolio reviews. Provides leadership for and ensures all NCBU contributions to organizational goals are represented in TNC's centralized conservation data system and ensures BU teams meet division expectations regarding Hub reporting deadlines. Engages with government relations teams to advance conservation objectives. Supports policy development and implementation efforts that enable durable conservation outcomes while respecting TNC’s nonpartisan role. Serves as a senior representative and spokesperson for TNC, articulating conservation strategies, priorities, and results to internal and external audiences. Represents the organization in public forums, partner meetings, and high‑level engagements as appropriate. We’re Looking For Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, 740,000+ acres in North Carolina have been preserved for people and nature. From the mountains to the sea, the North Carolina Chapter is dedicated to conserving the natural resources that make North Carolina unique. What You’ll Bring BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice 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; ability to define goals and deliverables, track progress, and develop and manage teams. Proven management expertise, including the ability to create, motivate, and lead teams, set objectives, manage performance, and demonstrate a commitment to fostering an environment of creativity and professional growth. Experience in partnership development with non‑profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies. Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions. Experience negotiating complex agreements. Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation. Experience with writing, securing, and managing public grants. Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the state or country level. Desired Qualifications Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in natural, environmental or biological sciences, or a closely related field. Demonstrated knowledge of ecological restoration and management and protection of land through acquisition of conservation interests. Knowledge of North Carolina’s ecosystems, natural landscapes, freshwater and coastal resources, with demonstrated skill in developing and applying scientific concepts to guide tangible conservation outcomes. Understanding of principles and issues related to climate change, ecosystem resilience and freshwater and near‑shore marine systems. 10‑12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience. Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages. Multilingual and multicultural or cross‑cultural experience appreciated. Politically savvy. Vehicle & Safety 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.” 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 $125,000 – $145,000. This range applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. The actual compensation within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Benefits 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, and other life and work well‑being benefits. Equal Opportunity 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. 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. Background Screening The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process. Additional Resources Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings. Accommodation 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 View email address on click.appcast.io with “Request for Accommodation” in the subject line. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Nature Conservancy