By 2030, TNC in the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Great Lakes) will contribute to the protection and restoration of more than 20 million hectares of land, 11.5 million hectares of healthy freshwater, and more than 76 thousand kilometers of rivers while working with, and helping improve the lives of, people who depend on these resources.
The Wisconsin Conservation Lead shares responsibility for reaching these ambitious goals by advancing the Midwest Division’s strategic priorities in Wisconsin – focusing on land and water protection and management, climate change and clean energy, regenerative agriculture, sustainable fisheries and freshwater systems. This is the senior conservation position in the Wisconsin Business Unit, a key advisor to the Wisconsin state director and a member of the Wisconsin Leadership Team and the Midwest Conservation Cabinet. They share responsibility for communication and collaboration among TNC global, regional, and division programs and the Wisconsin Business Unit.
In coordination with Midwest Division Strategy Directors, the Wisconsin Conservation Lead helps set priorities, review strategies and allocate resources across the Division. They work closely with the Wisconsin state director and teammates to develop nested plans and budgets and deploy resources, evaluating progress and managing adaptively. They play roles in giving and getting input, and recommending, performing and deciding courses of action, following written Division and Business Unit decision-making guidelines. They are responsible for executing a wide range of conservation projects in service of established theories of change and larger organizational goals.
The Wisconsin Conservation Lead offers technical and informed support to all TNC Wisconsin field operations, while achieving specific objectives unique to their area of expertise. They ensure TNC is deploying high quality strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. They apply innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks and local community knowledge to achieve lasting conservation.
The individual in this position supervises Wisconsin staff members and collaborates with Midwest Division colleagues, neighboring Midwest states and other TNC divisions. They practice humility, emotional intelligence, and shared decision-making while driving for results.
As an informed member of the statewide conservation community, the Wisconsin Conservation Lead develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify shared goals, co-create direction and resolve issues. They serve as a lead TNC spokesperson and point of contact for local, state and federal agencies and elected leaders, partner organizations, the academic community, volunteer leaders, donors and the media.
The Wisconsin Conservation Lead supports and builds the capability of Wisconsin staff members to engage effectively in matrixed and multi-disciplinary teams within and beyond the Business Unit. They strive to be a catalyst to help achieve conservation rapidly, at large scales, and in ways that provide measurable benefit to natural ecosystems and people, proactively engaging the Wisconsin Board of Trustees and other influential community members to pursue specific outcomes.
RESPONSIBILES AND SCOPE
- Geographic size and scope is that of a larger, complex business unit and/or a program that requires cross-boundary work and relationships.
- Embed principals of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in Wisconsin conservation programs, in coordination with TNC staff across the organization and with local partners
- Support and advise on Wisconsin Business Unit strategy implementation, team performance and organizational culture.
- Implement and oversee short- and long-term projects.
- Supervise staff at remote locations.
- Communicate clearly and compellingly in small and large group settings, in-person and virtually.
- Develop constructive and effective working relationships with partner organizations outside the Conservancy.
- Engage volunteer leaders in the assessment and advancement of conservation projects in Wisconsin
- Establish and maintain optimal performance standards within budget.
- Make independent decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
- Negotiate complex agreements in a political environment.
- Travel domestically and/or internationally, approximately 15% of the time (three days per month?), occasionally including evening or weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
This is a remote position that can be located anywhere in Wisconsin. Green Bay, Madison, or Milwaukee metro areas preferred.
