[APWG] JOB: Director, Invasive Species Initiative (Arlington, VA)

[Plant Conservation]

The Nature Conservancy
Saving the Last Great Places

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Director, Invasive Species Initiative
JOB FAMILY: Conservation-Field (Project Director III)
JOB NUMBER: 8002 Program Manager III
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
RELATED POSITION TITLES: Project Director, Special Projects Director,
Program Director, Deputy Director, Area Director

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Executive Director is responsible for leading an organization-wide
initiative to: 1) enable all units of The Nature Conservancy to address
the threats to biodiversity posed by invasive non-native species using
public policy, research, communications and the best management practices
available; and 2) generate major new public and private funding to address
this threat. S/He also develops and maintains partnerships with U.S. and
international efforts to prevent and abate invasive species impacts on
biodiversity, and with business, government, and conservation interests to
elevate the political profile of this issue.

The Executive Director directs a multi-faceted program by providing
leadership and working collaboratively with staff, Conservancy leadership,
landowners, corporations, donors, government agencies and Board/Trustee
members.  The Director is responsible for program funding, budget
administration and monitoring. Work includes strategic leadership at a
global scale, as well as development of projects that test or demonstrate
key strategies in specific geographic areas of interest to the
Conservancy.   Position typically involves working across state and
geographical boundaries and requires the ability to work with and
influence others in leadership positions both within and outside of the
Conservancy.

The Executive Director will recruit and supervise a small professional
staff, including a Program Coordinator in the World Office in Arlington,
Virginia, a senior technical staff housed at UC-Davis, a Liaison with the
Global Invasive Species Programme, and administrative support. This
position is a full-time exempt position supervised by the Director,
Conservation Strategies Group.
___________________________________________________________

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
1. Advanced degree in natural sciences or public policy or related fields,
and at least 7 years related experience, including previous experience
working at a senior level, or equivalent combination. Positive reputation
for excellence within discipline.
2. Demonstrated understanding of the invasive species threat to biological
diversity from both science and policy perspectives, and a positive
reputation as a leader on this issue.
3. Experience successfully leading teams linked by common purpose rather
than by lines of authority or supervisory structure to accomplish major
results.
4. Extensive management experience, including ability to motivate, lead,
set individual and program-wide objectives, and manage performance of a
large multi-disciplinary team.
5. Proven success in planning and implementing large scale projects and
strategies, utilizing analytical, strategic, and systematic thinking.
Creativity and strategic vision essential.
6. Proven success in working with government and private sector leaders to
garner support for major programs.
7. Demonstrated ability in major gift fundraising, marketing and
developing significant public sources of support.
8. Exceptional leadership and communications skills, and a successful
record of hiring and motivating strong staff to achieve results.
9. A strong belief in the mission and values of The Nature Conservancy.

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
1. Highly diversified work involves participation in the formulation and
evaluation of broad policies and/or long-term programs, or making
decisions, which typically have broad organizational impact.
2. Direct major program of strategic importance to the Conservancy through
collaborative management of multi-disciplinary teams and multiple
locations.
3. Develop, propose and implement procedures to enhance overall
performance in accordance with strategic goals, sort and long term
objectives.  Creative thinker.
4. Negotiate complex high profile or sensitive agreements.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
1. Progress depends on developing collaborative partnerships with other
leaders internal and external to the organization, sustaining a clear
strategy in the face of ambiguity, with little reliance on formal
authority to force decisions.
2. Make sound decisions based on analysis, consultation with others,
experience, and judgement.  Decisions may affect organization's public
image, positively or negatively, as well as impacting the work of many
throughout the organization.  Errors in judgement could have wide scope
and lasting effect.
3. Decisions may have significant financial and/or legal impact on the
organization.
4. Maximum opportunity to act independently.

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT -FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
1. Broad management and leadership responsibility.  Recruit, retain, and
manage high quality and effective staff.
2. Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors in support of program
activities.
3. Overall responsibility for financial management of program, including
setting goals, analyzing results, and taking corrective action.
4. May commit significant financial resources of the Conservancy within
this program's budget.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
1. Superb communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively
convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including major donors,
corporate executives, board members, and others who are critical to the
organization's overall prosperity.
2. Leverage constructive and effective relationships inside and outside
the Conservancy.  Work in partnership with other organizations in a
collaborative or advisory role.
3. Command attention; change tactics midstream when necessary.  Manage
group processes.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
1. Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
2. Ability to work an irregular schedule including weekends and
unpredicted schedule change, travel extensively and on short notice.

SUBMIT COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO:
jobs at tnc.org (please indicate job title in subject line)

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  October 22, 2004

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer