Colorado River Program Director

Colorado, USA

Employee must reside in one of the 6 Colorado River Basin states (CO, NV, WY, UT, NM, AZ). California possibly considered.

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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.”

Imagine leading a transformative conservation effort that spans seven states and Mexico, all centered around one of the most vital waterways in North America. As the Colorado River Program Director for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), you will be at the helm of a dynamic team, driving initiatives that safeguard the freshwater biodiversity of the Colorado River Basin. Your leadership will be crucial in achieving TNC’s ambitious 2030 goals, ensuring that your work leaves a lasting impact on the environment.

In this role, you will be the principal contact for government agencies, conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community. Representing TNC, you will engage with a diverse range of audiences, enhancing the organization's reputation as a leading conservation partner. With a team of approximately 12 full-time employees and an annual budget of around $5 million, you will provide inspiring leadership, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Your responsibilities will include developing and implementing the strategic plan for the Colorado River Program, ensuring that it aligns with TNC’s broader objectives. You will play a pivotal role in donor engagement, working closely with large corporations and foundations to secure funding and support for the program. By disseminating best practices and providing training, you will help your team achieve organizational success and drive impactful conservation projects.

Collaboration is key in this position. You will manage relationships with tribal nations, major public agencies, elected officials, other NGOs, coalitions, funders, and internal TNC staff. Your ability to build and maintain these partnerships will be essential in advancing conservation efforts and influencing policy decisions related to the Colorado River.

As the Colorado River Program Director, you will design, implement, and direct complex projects that require cross-disciplinary knowledge and coordination. Your work will involve formulating and evaluating broad policies and long-term programs with significant organizational impact. Leading multi-disciplinary teams, you will make strategic decisions based on analysis, experience, and context, ensuring that TNC’s perspective is integral to policy negotiations and decisions.

This role is perfect for a dynamic leader who is passionate about conservation and skilled in strategic planning, partnership building, and policy advocacy. If you are ready to make a significant impact on the future of the Colorado River Basin, we encourage you to apply and join us in this vital mission.

Employee must reside in one of the 6 Colorado River Basin states (CO, NV, WY, UT, NM, AZ). California possibly considered. Relocation assistance may be provided.

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I make a difference?”, but you don’t know where to go or have the time to do it? Welcome to The Nature Conservancy. You have found the solution and now you can pointedly make a difference every day!

By joining our TNC team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with; a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet. Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together.

We’re looking for an individual with conservation experience who wants to make a difference for nature and people and wants to ensure the program achieves large scale impact and makes a material contribution to TNC’s 2030 goals.

• BA/BS degree and 12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with Colorado River Basin issues and players
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Experience designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects of strategic importance, including managing finances, supervising multidisciplinary professionals and coordinating the work of partners while meeting deadlines.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience networking with high level conservation contacts.
• Experience working with methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives.
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic and creative initiatives.
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing relationships and deeply collaborating with tribal nations and indigenous conservation leaders
• Systems leadership with expertise in the Colorado River Basin.
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs.
• Politically savvy.
• Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.

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.

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

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $140,000-$180,000 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.

Please apply to Job #56306 at www.nature.org/careers. Submit required cover letter and resume separately using the upload buttons.

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.