Sacramento, California, USA

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Grounded in science, we develop innovative 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; respect for people, communities, and cultures; and a collaborative, nonpartisan approach. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world.

The California Chapter is TNC’s largest state program and one of the largest, most dynamic conservation organizations in the country. With approximately 275 employees, from financial analysts and fundraisers to ecologists and economists, we are currently invested in 14 strategies to address the biggest challenges facing California and the world, including numerous community-based projects designed to increase the pace, scale, and effectiveness of conservation. Over the past six decades, we have protected 1.4 million acres, 5,000 miles of streams, and 3.8 million acres of ocean habitat in California and off the coast.

The California Chapter believes that we are most effective when we are embedded in our state’s communities, politics, media, and environmental issues. For this reason, and to reduce our carbon footprint when meeting in person, all staff live in California, including those in a home office.

Finally, we are passionate about the middle ground in American politics and life. The hallmark of The Nature Conservancy is its “big tent” approach, engaging people across the political and ideological spectrum to find solutions that last. We ask all employees to embrace this critical strategic position of our organization.

The Nature Conservancy is advancing an ambitious conservation agenda to promote healthy lands, waters and oceans and bold climate action, and effective public policy is central to all of its strategies. In California, TNC has been a conservation policy leader for decades, with a track record of forging unexpected partnerships and driving policy innovation that keeps California at the global forefront of conservation solutions. The Policy & External Affairs Director (“Director”) leads and manages the California Chapter’s Policy & External Affairs team to shape government policy at the local, state and federal levels. They coordinate and collaborate with TNC colleagues in California’s Conservation Programs and Science departments, as well as with TNC’s national (U.S.A.) government relations teams, to develop and advance a policy agenda in support of TNC’s strategies and priorities. The Director routinely represents The Nature Conservancy in settings with public and private stakeholders, and is in regular contact with local, state, and federal officials and institutions regarding issues affecting the mission of The Nature Conservancy. They collaborate with colleagues in TNC’s Programs and Marketing departments to build effective coalitions in support of needed policy innovations, and design and implement campaigns to influence their passage, ensuring that all parts of the organization engage in a choreographed way with critical external parties. They monitor negotiated agreements, legislative, and administrative initiatives, and policies, which are related to the mission or programs of The Nature Conservancy. And, they work to increase public investment in programs that support biodiversity conservation, including for projects and priorities of TNC and its partners.

This position is based at The Nature Conservancy’s California headquarters in downtown Sacramento, walking distance from the state Capitol.

The California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is seeking an experienced policy and external affairs leader with management experience and strong communication skills to guide the Policy & External Affairs team.

If you care about nature and its fate in a rapidly changing world; if you believe in practical solutions and uncommon partnerships; if you expect results through teamwork; and if you don’t settle for the way things have always been done, The Nature Conservancy offers the best opportunity to make an impact. The Nature Conservancy consistently plays a leading role in shaping policy, making our Director of Policy & External Affairs one of the most critical and influential policy leaders in the environmental field.

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of related senior-level work experience, including current and evolving political, legislative and conservation trends in California and/or on a federal level.
• Fluency in English
• Experience building strong relationships with partners such as elected officials, public agencies, donors, and volunteer leaders.
• Experience managing and supervising a large multi-disciplinary team and managing a program budget.
• Experience securing public funds for conservation priorities.
• Experience in directing or participating in complex negotiations and presenting to and communicating with government officials, corporate executives, board members and others.
• Experience designing, implementing, and directing multiple and multifaceted projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
• Experience communicating complex processes and ideas effectively to a variety of audiences within and outside an organization.

Desired Qualification

• A deep commitment to nonpartisan policy-making and a proven ability to work across the political spectrum.

Each person who works at TNC contributes to our goal of protecting nature for future generations. Another one of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe feel that their unique contributions are valued. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “You’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.” To learn more, head to YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

We’re proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other benefits that support work-life balance.

If you’re interested in working with us, please apply—we’d love to hear from you.

The annual salary for this position ranges from $127,500 - 178,000.

Job Family: External Affairs

Job Number: 150082

Salary Grade: 10

To apply for job ID 53212, submit your materials (resume and cover letter) online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 8:59 PM PST on May 2, 2023. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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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.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.