The Nature Conservancy · 2 hours ago
Executive Director, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$180K/yr - $210K/yr
7+ years expThe Nature Conservancy is a science-based organization dedicated to protecting the lands and waters upon which all life depends. The Executive Director for North Carolina will lead conservation efforts, oversee fundraising, and collaborate with various stakeholders to achieve measurable conservation results.
Environmental ConsultingNatural ResourcesNon ProfitWaterWildlife Conservation
Responsibilities
The Executive Director functions as Executive Director and conservation strategist for the North Carolina Business Unit (BU)
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 Business Unit’s responsibilities and contribute intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary efforts
They support 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 Business Unit 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 North Carolina Executive Director oversees fundraising for the BU, including approving budgets and setting priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals
They support philanthropy and external affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private and public) to meet fundraising goals
They are responsible for a significant portion of the BU’s direct fundraising, sometimes in a major market area(s)
They have a dotted line to marketing staff supporting and servicing the Business Unit and play a central role in planning and executing marketing strategy and activities in collaboration with the Division Marketing Director
The staff comprising the various BU functions may be structured as needed or shared with other BUs as efficiency dictates to meet the needs of the BU
The North Carolina Executive Director helps create a multi-state vision for how to maximize conservation outcomes within North Carolina and across the broader Southern U.S. Division, comprised of 8 business units from Virginia and Kentucky southward to Florida and Louisiana
Increasingly and fundamentally, the Executive Director collaborates with others across the Southern Division and beyond to build partnerships and support the most critical organization-wide impacts, strategies, and projects that align and meet the overall initiatives of North Carolina, the Southern Division, and the organization
The Executive Director reports to the Southern Division Director
The Executive Director leads staff and works closely with the local trustees/advisory board, cultivates new and existing donors, expands partnerships, and builds a broader constituency for conservation across the state
Currently the North Carolina chapter team includes more than 50 full-time and approximately 50 seasonal staff across conservation, philanthropy, government relations, and operations
As a leader in the North Carolina conservation movement, the Executive Director plays a primary role collaborating with partner organizations, government agencies, elected officials, and other key decision-makers to build alliances that advance science-driven conservation outcomes in North Carolina, across the South, and globally
The Executive Director is accountable for the BU’s success in implementing TNC’s global conservation approach, producing measurable results, upholding organizational values, and supporting the ongoing work of equity while leading an inclusive workplace culture
The Executive Director is committed to Culture and Engagement in the Chapter
In addition to the state-specific responsibilities of the BU Leader, they are responsible for the collective success of the division by being a member of the Division Leadership Team, whose focus is on strengthening a culture that collaborates strategically, thoughtfully, and aggressively across geo-political and management lines
Specific responsibilities as a member of the Division Leadership Team include: Collectively determining divisional conservation targets and committing staff and financial resources to those agreed-upon multi-year priorities
Development and management of fundraising goals through greater coordination of donor prospects and strategies and an increased focus on the wealth markets with the greatest potential not being realized
Identifying operating models and implementing services such as financial management, human resources support, DEIJ strategy, and marketing and communications tactics across the division that maximize effectiveness and efficiencies
Developing greater consistency of approach in budgeting, evaluating risk, and utilization of financial resources
Aligning their individual Business Unit’s portfolios of work including the de-prioritizing or divestment of misaligned work
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree and minimum of 7 years of experience as a leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area
Extensive and proven management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team
Written and verbal fluency in English is required as well as fluency in the predominant language of the Business Unit if other than English
Superb communication and presentation skills required
Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences including donors, board members, employees, outside partners or equivalent
Experience in fundraising and budget management
Demonstrated commitment to developing and practicing global literacy
Preferred
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
Experience gained both in and outside the U.S. valued
Success as an inspirational leader who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence. Track record of recruiting, mentoring and retaining talent in budgeting, staffing, and performance management at a scale similar to, or greater than, the NC Chapter
High energy, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards. Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization
Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus through track record of responsibility for complex and large projects with successful outcomes. Demonstrated operational, implementation and detail-oriented perspective
Well organized and self-directed; politically savvy and a team player
Successful experience in marketing or fund raising desired from public and private sources, at a scale similar to, or greater than, the NC Chapter
Ability to convey and document a track record of success in prior positions in 'Key Competency' areas
Benefits
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
Company
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit conservation organization that works to protect terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
The Nature Conservancy has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (26)
2024 (21)
2023 (13)
2022 (18)
2021 (13)
2020 (12)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$120.09MKey Investors
Global Affairs CanadaBezos Earth FundNFWF
2025-11-17Grant· $7.94M
2025-10-23Grant
2025-06-09Grant
Leadership Team
Jennifer Morris
Chief Executive Officer
Matt Merrifield
CTO
Recent News
2026-01-24
2025-12-03
Company data provided by crunchbase