Office Location:

Kingston, Jamaica

Remote - the location for this position is flexible within countries where The Nature Conservancy is a registered NGO and has an already established office. This position is not eligible for relocation or immigration assistance. May involve travel of 25% or more.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to conserve 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 includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our 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. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

We’re facing two existential crises: climate change and rapid biodiversity loss. Reversing these crises requires protecting and sustainably managing our ocean, land, and freshwater. Yet our time to advert these crises is limited. As part of The Nature Conservancy’s 2030 Goals, we are determined to do more. 

We need solutions that create long-term protections for our ocean and coastal habitats through a variety of mechanisms, including policy and financial approaches, to support durable protection that deliver benefits for people and nature. The Ocean Protection Director will play an integral role in helping the Conservancy step up to this challenge through coordinated and collaborative approaches designed to build upon existing priorities of the Global Protect Oceans, Land, and Water program (These strategic pathways include Nature Bonds, Enduring Earth/PFP, the 30x30 Accelerator, and the One Conservancy Protection Initiative). The focus for the Director is to integrate and accelerate ocean protection globally, advancing our collective progress towards TNC’s 2030 Goal to conserve at least 4 billion hectares (9.9 billion acres) of ocean. This position will report to the Global Managing Director of Protect Oceans, Lands, and Waters.

We’re Looking for You:

Want to help safeguard the planet’s oceans for both biodiversity’s sake and the people that depend on it? Our 2030 Goals have us reaching far beyond what we have achieved to date. From coastal habitats to coral reefs to the deep sea, The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to conserving the vital ocean resources that make our globe unique. This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated, capable leader interested in joining the world’s largest and most impactful conservation organization!

We are seeking an individual who has a track record of designing, delivering, and implementing marine protection.  We seek someone who knows how to deliver not just MPAs, but also enhance a network of Marine Protected Areas and engage in global policy and funding dialogues that can change the game for the protection of our Oceans. We seek a candidate capable of working in highly complex organizational settings with global, regional, local, and cross-cutting teams to achieve results at scale;.  The ideal candidate also excels in collaborating and communicating strategies across reporting lines and business units within an organization to deliver outcomes.  They have an established network of strategic partners globally to leverage TNC and partner strengths to achieve greater ocean conservation impact.  

The Nature Conservancy has established a bold set of goals for our organization through 2030 and has identified the priority strategies and pathways that will deliver those outcomes.  Our emerging Ocean Protection work is centered around elevating ocean protection outcomes within those priority initiatives within the Global Protect Oceans, Lands, and Water program (e.g., 30x30, Enduring Earth, and our Nature Bonds Initiative.). This work focuses heavily on the establishment, expansion, and improvement of marine protected areas and OECMs, including their financing and effective management.  The Director leads a small team of technical staff to support ocean protection outcomes within major initiatives and projects within the Global Protect Oceans, Lands, and Water program. They work closely with the Global Protect Leadership, the Global Ocean Director, and other teams to align resources, provide technical support, and raise financial resources needed to elevate ocean protection outcomes.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 10 or more years of experience in conservation practice, policy, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience executing programs and projects that resulted in durable marine protection outcomes. 
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation and experience with brokering deals that engage multiple funders.
• Experience directing a major program or project of strategic importance, including management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.
• Experience in developing supportive and collaborative partnerships with other non-profits, community groups and/or government agencies.  
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.                               
• Experience with financial management and budgeting.

BONUS Experience and Skills 

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. Experience working in multiple countries. 
• Knowledge and experience with marine protected areas, such as with their design and establishment, effective management, and financing.
• Proficient English writing and communication skills.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

Salary Information:

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $94,010 – $141,015 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.