Climate Change & Energy Director

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.”

What We Can Achieve Together

The Climate Change & Energy Director oversees all aspects of protection, science, stewardship and community relations for a Business Unit, or a large geographic area within a large, complex Business Unit. Provides scientific leadership and support for TNC’s conservation planning work and establishes overall conservation priorities in the division or region. The Climate Change & Energy Director provides technical and program support to Conservancy field operations. They serve as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community. They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within area of responsibility, define conservation priorities in responsibility, lead and manage a team which supports and improves conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. The Climate Change & Energy Director develops key partnerships with public & private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices, develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs, and engages local community support for local conservation efforts. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies. Frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

We're Looking for You

• Building on TNC’s strong existing leadership in Natural Climate Solutions (NCS), leads the creation and execution of TNC China program’s NCS strategy, including a robust and scientifically sound theory of change (ToC), to accelerate and scale the deployment of NCS in China to help catalyze its full potential.
• Drives collaboration with key think-tanks and research institutes on innovative NCS policy, mechanism and roadmap at national, sub-national and sectoral levels.
• Leads TNC policy work on climate change and energy in China, including defining the Conservancy’s policy priorities and developing government and industry engagement plans.
• Builds capacity internally and externally for NCS implementation, including strategies for raising awareness and addressing barriers, and support extensive outreach and training opportunities.
• Develops strong linkages between renewable energy sitting and ecological conservation priorities.
• Helps develop polit NCS projects with field offices and local partners in China.
• Collaborates with Science Department to develop NCS methodologies, mapping and roadmap, etc.
• Works with external partners to produce NCS research reports.
• Provides strategic leadership for all aspects of climate change and energy program in TNC China.
• Manages projects to fulfill requirements set for outcome, intermediary result, budget, deliverables, timeline and accountability.
• Adapts to TNC’s science-based, evidence-based requirements and procedures.
• Supports engagement with partners and donors in fundraising discussions for climate change and energy work.
• Coordinates with TNC scientists, policy experts and other colleagues to advance TNC’s global climate work.
• Manages multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. Establishes clear directions and set stretch objectives.
• Establishes and maintains optimal standards of performance for the program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
• Frequently makes independent decision based on analysis, experience, and context.

What You'll Bring

• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
• 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 negotiating.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 7-10 years’ experience in climate change and energy practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
• Excellent ability in strategic thinking and concept formulation.
• Knowledge of current policy, trends and practices in mitigation, adaptation, climate resilience, nature-based solutions, carbon markets and related disciplines
• Sound knowledge of science, methods and standards of climate change and energy.
• Hands-on experience in full project management cycle
• Strong interpersonal communication and presentation skills to internal and external audiences.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and Chinese languages.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising.
• Academic background of Ph.D. or equivalent experience in related field.