Marine Conservation Director

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Hawaii Marine Conservation Director (MCD) oversees all aspects of the Hawaii Marine Conservation program area encompassing the main Hawaiian Islands.  Provides strategic leadership and support for the Conservancy’s conservation work and establishes overall conservation priorities for all islands and major initiatives.

To accomplish this, the Hawaiʻi Marine Program strategic approach is to collaboratively develop and demonstrate science-based, community-led and Indigenous knowledge informed solutions to address major marine and coastal environmental challenges in Hawaiʻi.  We scale-up successful models through partnerships and community-engagement, policy, community networks, restoration, emerging leader development, and communication.

The MCD reports to the Director of Conservation, leads and manages a statewide marine conservation team, and collaborates with other chapter programs to achieve Conservancy-wide, Regional, Pacific Division and Chapter objectives. They serve on leadership teams contributing to overall Hawaiʻi and Palmyra Chapter direction and management and meet organizational norms and requirements.

The MCD is responsible for all aspects of the Conservancy’s marine conservation planning and resource prioritization, partnerships, program execution and program growth throughout Hawaiʻi, in close collaboration with the Marine Science Director.  Together, marine conservation and marine science teams and their work constitute the Hawaiʻi Marine Program.

The MCD works collaboratively to define conservation priorities and advance strategic initiatives that conserve and restore marine and coastal ecosystems across the main Hawaiian Islands, sustaining biodiversity, strengthening  climate resilience, and benefitting both nature and people.  They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner in Hawaiʻi. The MCD serves as the principle contact to government agencies. They work closely with other conservation organizations, foundations. the academic community, and Hawaiian and local communities. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with partners to conserve and protect ecosystems and develop and implement conservation strategies.

With Conservancy leaders, they play a leading role in securing public and private funds, developing key policy initiatives and communicating about program efforts.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years’ experience working with and supporting conservation programs with Indigenous communities.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams, providing vision and strategic leadership, and meeting deadlines.
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in marine, coastal, fisheries and coral reef systems relevant to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, private landowners, academia, and government agencies.
• Experience negotiating.
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans at the county, state and national levels.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience with financial management of a large program.

Roles and Responsibilities/Duties:

• Geographic/programmatic size and scope is that of a large, complex business unit – the main Hawaiian Islands in the context of the Pacific Region.                             
• Responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.                             
• Recruits, retains and manages high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. 
• Broad management and leadership responsibility for 10+ staff members, both internal and external to the organization.
• Develops long-term strategies and achieves strategic goals and objectives
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.
• May require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally and evening and weekend hours.

• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives and experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Politically savvy.

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 the Auto Safety information page. 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 $119,500 – $129,500. 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. 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.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.