What We Can Achieve Together:The Michigan Executive Director and Midwest Partner functions as a leader and conservation strategist for a large, complex business unit in a global organization that plays an integral leadership role in TNC's Midwest Division. The Midwest Division encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin-a region of Great Lakes, great rivers and immense global importance for conserving biodiversity, tackling climate change, and protecting lands and waters as outlined in TNC's 2030 goals. In addition to representing Michigan and the Midwest, this position must also be versed in national and global TNC priorities.
This position will be a key leader in a global fundraising campaign and is responsible for producing measurable conservation results, while leading a large, multidisciplinary team of professionals across the state. They serve as the primary spokesperson for TNC in Michigan to internal and external audiences (including public and private donors, media, the business community, the Michigan Board of Trustees, community leaders and other partners, government agencies and officials and staff). They cultivate those audiences to support and promote TNC's mission and vision.
The Michigan Executive Director and Midwest Partner sets objectives and manages the performance of a large and collaborative team with a focus on strategy development, fundraising and managing the Board of Trustees. They work together across teams as they cultivate and solicit high-level donors (private and public) to meet fundraising goals. Additionally, this role supports conservation programs and initiatives, organization visibility, policy and government relations, the management of staff and the financial health of the business unit.
The Michigan Executive Director and Midwest Partner also collaborates with peer Midwest Executive Directors and the Midwest Division Director (known as the Midwest Board of Partners) in helping shape the strategy, development and execution of cross-boundary efforts within the Midwest and globally, including the contribution of financial and human resources. Along with other members of the Midwest Board of Partners, the Michigan Executive Director supports the Midwest 2030 conservation goals, and sponsors one or more conservation strategy and functional area teams at the regional level. They help align their team's work to secure and deploy sufficient resources and capacity to achieve the Midwest's maximum contribution to TNC's 2030 conservation goals.
The Michigan Executive Director and Midwest Partner creates a healthy work environment for all TNC staff in the state and supports coordinated staff development across the region. This position reports to the Midwest Division Director and works in partnership with the Midwest Board of Partners and the Michigan Board of Trustees.
Location: Within Michigan, preference for the greater Lansing, Ann Arbor, Detroit, or Grand Rapids areas.
We're Looking for You:Are you looking for work that you can believe in? At TNC, we strive to embody a philosophy of "Work That You Can Believe In" where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We're looking for someone with strong experience leading a diverse, multidisciplinary team.
The ideal candidate should have exceptional leadership skills, with a strong background in high-level fundraising. They must be a compelling storyteller and talented communicator who can successfully use these talents to fundraise, build consensus and speak about TNC's mission, vision and work-from state, regional and global perspective. This role must be able to effectively engage a wide range of partners, while constantly building and engaging the volunteer Board of Trustees.
This position requires a person with deep self-confidence tempered by genuine humility. They must have an ambitious yet collaborative nature. They must be very high-energy, intelligent, abstract thinkers willing to take bold, calculated risks while balancing the need to make transparent decisions in a matrixed and sometimes ambiguous environment. They must have very high emotional intelligence and be compassionate but also able to make tough decisions while being equitable, fair and inclusive.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of Michigan and the Midwest.
What You'll Bring:- Bachelor's degree and minimum of 7 years of experience as a leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area.
- Extensive management experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage the performance of a large multidisciplinary team.
- Proven experience in cultivating and soliciting high-level donors to reach fundraising goals, which is a priority for this position.
- Written and verbal fluency in English.
- Effective presentation and communication skills for diverse audiences, including high-level donors, the media, the business community, board members, outside partners, staff or equivalent that lead to desired outcomes.
- Experience with strategic fiscal management, including long-term sustainability.
Desired Qualifications:- Seven to 10 years of experience as a proven leader in the conservation arena, nonprofit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting organizational, divisional or business unit goals.
- Experience working in the U.S. and globally preferred. Demonstrated commitment to developing and practicing global literacy.
- Outstanding leadership skills, including thought-leadership, visionary qualities and the ability to inspire others in a decentralized, geographically dispersed and highly matrixed organization.
- Knowledge of conservation and conservation practices.
- High energy, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards.
- Proven strategic thinking skills, creative problem-solving, adept decision-making, adaptability and ability to collaborate and influence.
- Demonstrated experience in public speaking on behalf of a global organization with the capability to present on a wide range of science-based and conservation topics desired.
- A strong network of local, regional and national contacts that include leaders from philanthropic, business and communities relevant to our conservation work.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with
TNC's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
Salary Information:The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $185,000 - $218,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate's actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
