Indiana Conservation Program Lead

The Nature Conservancy in Indiana is seeking a Conservation Program Lead to join our dynamic leadership team as they implement the Midwest’s strategic priorities, with emphasis on those that depend on implementation through team members that are based in Indiana.  The Indiana Conservation Program Lead is the most senior Indiana-focused conservation position, provides leadership for chapter conservation teams, and is responsible for the coordination, alignment, and execution of conservation projects in service of larger organizational goals.

By 2030 the Midwest states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin will contribute to the protection and restoration of more than 20 million hectares of land, 11.5 million hectares of healthy freshwater, and more than 76 thousand kilometers of rivers while improving the lives of people that depend on these resources.  This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!

The Indiana Conservation Program Lead offers technical and program support to Conservancy field operations.  They lead and manage a large team of more than thirty staff dedicated to enhancing conservation efforts and building strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field.  Through leadership of chapter conservation teams; support and enabling of these teams; and collaboration with Midwest Strategy Directors and neighbouring Midwest chapters and divisions, the Lead ensures the implementation of conservation projects aligned with strategic Theories of Change and organizational goals.  

A key role for the Indiana Conservation Program Lead is to support and build the capability of staff to function as a part of highly effective teams, sometimes leading, sometimes supporting, and always collaborating.  In this way the Conservation Lead is a catalyst to achieving conservation more rapidly, at larger scales, and in ways that provide great benefit to natural ecosystems and people within Indiana and across the Midwest Division. 

The Indiana Conservation Program Lead often serves as a primary point of contact and as a lead collaborator with government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community.  They are responsible for maintaining relationships through open communication and collaboration and building new relationships.  In addition, they will interact with TNC Board of Trustee members on a regular basis and therefore are a key member of the Indiana Leadership Team. They work closely with and are an important partner with the Indiana Philanthropy team for fundraising and donor cultivation.

In coordination with the Midwest Strategy Directors, the Conservation Program Lead also helps set strategic priorities, reviews Midwest strategies, and allocates resources through TNC’s Portfolio Management process.  They play a significant role in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship.  They develop key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues; communicate solutions and best practices; and develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address natural system needs while also engaging with and benefiting local communities through conservation efforts.

This is a full-time position based at our office in Indianapolis, IN with remote work available up to 2 days a week.  This position is expected to travel mostly in state approximately 10-15% of the time and may include evenings/weekends or out of state.  The starting pay range for this position is generally within $110,000 – $120,000 annually, based on a variety of factors, including the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, experience, and internal equity.

Visit http://www.nature.org/careers and use keyword “Indiana” to find and view a complete position description and apply.  Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received, and the position will be closed once a strong candidate pool is identified.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience or willingness to learn tools within the open standards for Conservation Planning such as TNC’s Conservation by Design to develop results chains, conservation strategies and measures.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.                     
• Experience negotiating complex agreements, land acquisitions and multi-stakeholder agreements.