The Director is TNC’s principal representative to internal and external stakeholders for the Central Appalachian region. To succeed, the Director must be able to see the “big picture” of ecological, economic, political, and social trends in this diverse landscape to seize emergent conservation opportunities. The Central Appalachians Program has an active 5-year plan and the focus of this position for the next 2-3 years will be to drive teams towards successful implementation of this plan. Internal political savvy is essential to ensure ongoing support and buy-in from TNC leadership at state, regional, and global levels.  They oversee the day-to-day functioning of the Central Appalachians Program, which includes the contributions of approximately 50 staff. This includes setting conservation strategy and leading conservation planning efforts, advising multiple teams on conservation implementation, resource and staffing decisions, representing TNC to key donors and external partners. Each of these activities is done in partnership with multiple colleagues and the Director must prioritize motivating, inspiring, and  empowering a large network of colleagues to contribute to the Program despite only a portion of their time being dedicated to the Central Appalachians. The Director has 4 full-time direct reports.

 

• Geographic size and scope are multistate implementation for two of TNC’s “Shared Conservation Agenda” priorities in one of TNC’s global priority areas
• Organizes staff and teams to implement an existing ambitious conservation plan.
• Supervises staff at remote locations including full time and part time staff.
• Integrates diverse perspectives and data to inform conservation strategy.
• Represents both the Central Appalachians geography and strategies to key internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with other leaders across the 16 state Appalachian region to ensure the Central Appalachians Program contributes to larger Appalachian conservation outcomes.
• Makes staffing, resourcing, and strategy decisions for Central Appalachian region in consultation with a leadership team of state chapter directors.
• Collaborates with multiple philanthropy staff to advance fundraising strategy and needs.
• Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
• Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment.                                                                                      
• Frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours.                
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.