Land, Nature and Biodiversity Conservation

Position: Director of Conservation
Organization: Nature United
Location: Remote, anywhere in Canada

Who We Are:

Nature United is a national organization that is reimagining conservation across Canada. We believe that nature—thriving and full of life—is the foundation of strong communities, a prosperous economy, and a future worth passing on to our grandchildren. We believe that reconciliation is at the heart of our progress as a nation. And we believe that Canada can be a global beacon for hope. We work to advance sustainable resource management by supporting Indigenous leadership and authority and to harness the power of nature to address the climate crisis by advancing natural climate solutions. Nature United is an affiliate of the global organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

As a conservation organization, we support the authority of Indigenous peoples to steward and manage their lands and waters by working in partnership with Indigenous Nations to strengthen governance, build on-the-ground stewardship capacity, support leaders, and catalyze local economies. Diversity, equity, inclusion and justice are central to achieving our conservation mission and we are committed to co-creating a culture that is equitable and a workplace that is diverse, inclusive and safe for all staff, partners, donors, and volunteers.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues 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 staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Director of Conservation oversees all aspects of Nature United’s Conservation Program, reporting to the Executive Director, and is a key member of the Leadership Team. This role is pivotal in leading and developing a dedicated team to achieve ambitious conservation goals, and fostering cross-functional relationships that advance meaningful, inclusive conservation initiatives. This role is responsible for managing the Canadian conservation project portfolio, which spans across large and complex geographies and regions. They will establish Nature United as a major conservation organization within Canada that is reimagining conservation through innovative approaches and partnerships. They will define conservation priorities in Canada aligned to global priorities and deliver on organizational goals. They will play a supporting role in managing major public agency and elected official relationships and other non-profit and Indigenous organizations, and a leading role in communicating about our work and fundraising for our programs.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership and Planning:

• Leads the design, delivery, and implementation of conservation priorities and initiatives to deliver on organizational goals.
• Provides strategic leadership and support for conservation planning.
• Plays a lead role on the executive Leadership Team.
• Makes independent strategic decisions based on analysis and context.

Team Management and Development:

• Leads and manages a large, diverse, and dispersed multi-disciplinary team across Canada.
• Builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity, disseminates best practices, and provides coaching.
• Develops and nurtures leadership on the Conservation team, fostering an inclusive culture.
• Builds strong relationships across teams and champions cross-team collaboration and resource sharing.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Builds and strengthens relationships with external partners, including NGOs, donors, governments and Indigenous organizations.
• Supports teams to engage local communities and facilitate integration into the conservation landscape.

Business Management:

• Oversees budgeting and financial management of the Conservation program.
• Assesses and manages risks, ensuring compliance with organizational policies.
• Oversees complex and diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization.
• Develops and manages holistic programs, incorporating cross-disciplinary knowledge.

Thought Leadership and Influence:

• Positions Nature United as an organization that is reimagining conservation in Canada and globally.
• Acts as a thought leader in conservation, developing innovative strategies and frameworks.
• Engages and influences key stakeholders to support conservation efforts, including supporting fundraising efforts.

We’re Looking for You:

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary leader who is passionate about conservation and committed to advancing Indigenous Rights and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. The ideal candidate will inspire and lead a multidisciplinary team, drive strategic initiatives, and build strong partnerships to achieve transformational conservation impact. This leader will drive results to achieve Nature United’s 2030 Strategic Plan. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by supporting the work of our team. Join us as we impact conservation across Canada and more than 80 countries and territories around the world.

What You’ll Bring:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 12 years of experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience. Lived experience will be prioritized.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous Right Relations, including land rights, sovereignty, and the impacts of colonialism.
• Experience designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects of strategic importance, including managing finances, supervising multidisciplinary professionals, and coordinating the work of partners while meeting deadlines.
• Experience in working effectively in matrixed organization, foster cross-team collaboration and build strong working relationships with other teams.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Strong communication skills, with internal and external audiences.
• Experience in partnership development with organizations, community groups or government agencies.
• Experience working with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and geographic regions.
• Experience working with methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives.
• Experience with fundraising, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multilingual and multicultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Bachelors or Master’s degree and 12-15 years of experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, governments, forestry and agricultural sectors.
• Understanding of Canadian political and economic context.
• Flexibility, reliability, and a positive, solutions-oriented attitude.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying informed about conservation trends and initiatives.

We recognize that women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and other equity-deserving groups are less likely to apply if they do not match most of the qualifications. Nature United finds strength in diversity of backgrounds, lived experiences, knowledge, and identities. We strongly encourage those interested who bring new perspective to apply.

What We Bring:

Nature United offers a comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, 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 in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

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

Salary Information:

The estimated starting salary for this position is dependent on experience, qualifications and location.

• Salary range in Canada is: $182,000 - $194,000 CAD annually

How To Apply:

To apply for job ID 56123, submit your cover letter and resume online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/, Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org .

A background check will be performed on the successful candidate.

Nature United 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