Kansas State Director - The Nature Conservancy

Lawrence, Kansas, USA

Travel will be primarily within Kansas up to 50% of total time

#LI-HYBRID
KS409

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Kansas State Director functions as manager and conservation strategist for a large, complex Business Unit (BU). They are accountable for the BU’s success in implementing TNC’s conservation approach, producing measurable conservation results and maintaining organizational values. They ensure outcomes are achieved in priority areas that fall within the operating unit’s responsibilities, and contribute intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary efforts.  They support alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the most critical organization-wide projects, threats and strategies.  They are responsible for collaborating with others on the procurement and application of resources to address the conservation priorities established by TNC, both in her/his ecoregion(s)/operating unit and in areas beyond her/his span of authority.  They serve as the primary local spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners) and cultivates those audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.

The Kansas State Director oversees fundraising for the BU, including approving budgets and setting priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals. He/she supports philanthropy, resources and external affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private, bilateral and multilateral government) to meet fundraising goals.  They are responsible for a significant portion of the BU’s direct fundraising, sometimes in a major market area. 

The staff comprising the various BU functions may be structured as needed or shared with other units as efficiency dictates to meet the needs of the unit.  The Kansas State Director reports to the Division Director and works closely with the local trustees/advisory board.

In addition to the state specific responsibilities of the BU Leader, they are responsible for the collective success of the division by being a member of the Divisional Leadership Team, whose focus is on strengthening a culture that collaborates strategically, thoughtfully and aggressively across geo-political and management lines. Through this approach, called Empowering Divisions, it helps shape the strategy, identifies the division’s conservation priorities, and develops, funds and deploys talent to execute cross-boundary initiatives that can deliver the greatest impact to TNC’s 2030 goals across the division.  

Specific responsibilities as a member of the Divisional Leadership Team include:

• Collectively determining divisional conservation targets and committing staff and financial resources to those agreed upon multi-year priorities.
• Shared development and management of fundraising goals through greater coordination of donor prospects and strategies and an increased focus on the wealth markets with the greatest potential not being realized.
• Identifying operating models and implementing shared services such as financial management, human resources support, DEIJ strategy and marketing and communications tactics across the division that maximize effectiveness and efficiencies.
• Developing greater consistency of approach in budgeting, evaluating risk and utilization of financial resources
• Aligning their individual Business Unit’s portfolios of work (which includes de-prioritizing/divesting misaligned work) 

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of experience as a leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals.  
• Extensive and proven people management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, delegate, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team. 
• Cultivator of relationships; able to build trust quickly across diverse populations of people from farmers and line workers to C-suite, board members, and policymakers.
• Superb English communication and presentation skills; visionary, confident, and relatable with communications.
• Written and verbal fluency in English is required as well as fluency in the predominant language of the operating unit if other than English.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience fundraising.
• Success as an inspirational leader who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence. Proven managerial talent in budgeting, staffing, and performance management.
• High energy, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards and a keen understanding of strategy and the big picture. Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization.
• Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus, including budget management. 
• Well-organized and self-directed; politically savvy and a team player.
• Experience gained both in and outside the U.S. preferred.  Demonstrated commitment to developing and practicing global literacy a must.

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 on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $160,000-170,000 for annual base salary. 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.

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

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 https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ 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.

To apply for job ID 55613, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. This job posting may close at any time, so we recommend you apply promptly. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character 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.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.