JOB DESCRIPTION

Office Location:

This is a hybrid position located in Central Puget Sound with the primary work location of Seattle.

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) seeks its next Washington State Director to lead the Washington Business Unit (BU) and serve as a partner with colleagues in TNC’s Western US and Canada Division as we execute on our ambitious conservation goals.

With 80+ staff across the state, an operating budget of approximately $18M, a 20-member volunteer board, and a strong conservation agenda in place, this role offers a unique opportunity to help shape a resilient future for Washington, the Pacific Northwest, western North America, and the globe.

The Washington State Director functions as the visionary leader, senior manager, and principal ambassador for a large, highly complex BU. The current strategic priorities the Washington State Director will lead include 1) climate mitigation and adaptation, 3) community and ecological stewardship, 4) healthy and resilient forests and rivers and 5) healthy waters for people and salmon. 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 BU’s responsibilities, and contribute intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary efforts. They support the 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 their ecoregions or BU and in areas beyond their 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 cultivate those audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.

The Washington State Director oversees the leaders of policy/government relations, fundraising, and finance for the BU and partners with Division-wide leaders of marketing/communications, finance, conservation, and HR. Leadership may include approving budgets, setting priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals, supporting 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, principally in the major market of Seattle.

In addition to their responsibilities leading and managing the Washington BU, the Washington State Director serves on the Leadership Team for the Western US & Canada Division. The Division’s current priorities include cross-boundary, system-scale initiatives in Indigenous-led Conservation, major river restoration, forest, grassland and sagebrush steppe health, climate and renewable energy, and federal policy and public lands. As leader of a large BU in a major market, the Washington State Director will lead fundraising efforts and deploy staff to support these Division-level initiatives. The Washington State Director plays a leadership role in local-to-global fundraising for The Nature Conservancy.

The Washington State Director reports to the Western US and Canada Division Director and works closely with the local Trustees.

We’re Looking for You:

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of “Work that You Can Believe in” where you can feel like you are helping to address the most pressing environmental issues and are making a difference every day.

The successful candidate will demonstrate relationship-building excellence by immediately engaging with trustees, staff, donors, and key leaders across sectors—including tribal business councils, NGOs, elected officials, business leaders, artists, and more—to build trust, gather insights, and strengthen partnerships. They will uphold uncompromising integrity and transparency, modeling the highest ethical standards in all interactions and fostering trust across the organization. With strategic vision and systems thinking, they will lead efforts to shape conservation initiatives for Washington and the Western US & Canada and align financial management with long-term sustainability and mission-driven impact. Their masterful communication skills will enable them to convey ideas clearly and persuasively across wide-ranging audiences.

The candidate will bring operational and organizational acumen, quickly understanding how different parts of the business interconnect—especially in development and strategic dynamics—to guide effective decision-making. They will embody a One Conservancy spirit, promoting unity and collaboration across teams and departments. As a people leader, they will manage and empower a team of approximately 80 staff, including six executive leaders and a 40-person conservation team, fostering comprehensive leadership and accountability. Finally, they will demonstrate cultural competency and Indigenous right relations through respectful partnerships and experience working with Indigenous tribes and sovereign nations, understanding tribal governance and priorities.

Please note that this role includes ~40% of total time traveling, much of it locally via car or public transit yet some spanning state-wide and other locations for broader TNC leadership opportunities. During the initial 3-4 months, travel may be as much as 75% of total time.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of management experience or equivalent relevant combination.

• Leading and managing a large multi-disciplinary team with the strong ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance.

• Knowledge of and direct experience working and operating in Washington state.

• Experience in natural resources and/or the environment more broadly.

• Strategic planning and systems thinking for large, complex initiatives.

• Financial experience managing a multi-million-dollar budget.

• Experience communicating with and presenting to different types of audiences, including donors, board members, employees, and outside partners.

• Experience working with Indigenous tribes and sovereign nations.

• Fluency in English; excellent written and oral communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• 7-10 years’ experience as a proven leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals.

• General knowledge of the natural resources of Washington and the Western US, their conservation challenges, and current management approaches.

• Experience in fundraising and commitment to increase program fundraising success in support of the Conservancy”s global, regional, and local priorities, especially by identifying innovative forms of fundraising, cultivating major donors, and forging relationships and results in the Washington market.

• Experience building partnerships or multi-lateral agreements across business and/or government.

• Experience creating and fostering an environment that allows staff to feel empowered and creating a culture of trust, fairness, and development.

• Experience cultivating strong interpersonal engagement and relationships in a global, multicultural context and developing relationships to drive organizational outcomes.

• Proven skills in board development and recruitment for fundraising and influencing results.

• Exposure to policy influence and development.

• Navigating and leading within a global, matrixed organization.

• Knowledge of the tech industry, such as key organizations and navigating contacts within them.

• Politically savvy.

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Salary Information:

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

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $207,000 – $264,000 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.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

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 and Perks here.

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

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, beliefs, and culture. 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.

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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.