The North America Regenerative Grazing Lands (RGL) Strategy Director will lead a small, highly-matrixed team to work closely with TNC business units (BUs) and whole system teams to scale up the adoption of regenerative practices and programs across the beef supply chain. Leading a core strategy within the North America Agriculture Program, this position engages the beef industry and government agencies with regenerative grazing lands strategies to reach farmers and ranchers and increase the use of conservation practices that reduce land conversion practices, avoid or mitigate GHG emissions, enhance habitat, and improve water quality and soil health. This position often serves as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, corporations, and the academic community. Location of this position is flexible, but the western or central United States is preferred.

Increase and enhance the role of TNC as a major conservation partner within the area of sustainable grazing; define and lead execution of conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies; develop key partnerships with public and private organizations to widespread adoption of regenerative practices; support and develop TNC’s strategic, scientific, and technical capacity to achieve impact. The Director will engage the agricultural community to advance conservation; negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and private sector partners; and identify and cultivate fundraising opportunities to bring resources to the NA RGL team, as well as to aligned and contributing TNC BUs and partners.

• The position will focus on the North America Region with special emphasis on the grazing lands in the United States and Canada.
• Advance existing relationships with the beef and agricultural industry and develop new partnerships that engage the industry in promotion of regenerative management practices for ranchers.
• Work closely with TNC Policy and Government Relations staff to co-develop and advocate for policy and program recommendations that create enabling conditions to scale the adoption of regenerative grasslands management.
• Work closely with TNC state-based business units to facilitate external partnerships focused on building collaborations that scale up adoption of sustainable grasslands management and increase funding dedicated to the issue.
• Responsible for close coordination and leadership with TNC business units and whole system projects that are developing and implementing regenerative grazing lands strategies.
• Coordinate closely with others in the NA Agriculture Program working on the Regenerative Row Crop strategy to help advance best management practices for US row crops that supply beef feed.
• Create and facilitate an internal network of project level staff, state leaders, and scientists focused on sharing nutrient load reductions strategies.
• Raise funds to support the RGL program and strategies and provide oversight for program budget.
• May be responsible for developing, implementing and managing multi-state public and private grants and projects.
• Programmatic scope may require cross-boundary work and relationships.
• Leads and manages teams or projects to support and improve conservation efforts, including supervision of direct reports.
• Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the department or program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
• Builds cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
• Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
• Frequent travel within North America will be required in this position.