Delaware Director of External Affairs at The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we are committed to a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

Position Summary

Serving as a spokesperson and advocate, the Delaware Director of External Affairs (Director) will represent the Conservancy with elected officials and their staff; government agency officials; foundations and other funders; and other conservation partners in Delaware to broaden support for the Conservancy’s conservation priorities. The Director provides strategic leadership in support of the Conservancy’s conservation goals by leading public policy initiatives in Delaware and reports to the Executive Director of the PA/DE Chapter. The Director is an experienced external affairs professional who identifies trends and opportunities to position the Conservancy for success in the public policy arena and builds strong working relationships with public officials across Delaware to support the state and federal policy priorities of The Nature Conservancy. This is an outstanding opportunity to build upon a legacy of conservation in Delaware, the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, management or other relevant field and 5 years of government relations or corporate sector experience, or equivalent combination education/experience 
• Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, partners, and all levels of staff
• Experience working in partnership with a broad variety of people and organizations with different backgrounds, views, intentions and interests; experience in negotiating and managing complex and sensitive deals
• Demonstrated outstanding oral and written communication skills, including the ability to address issues in nonpartisan and non-polarizing ways
• Ability to determine an individual or organization’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work
• Analytical and project management experience. Demonstrated experience in successfully developing, directing and implementing multiple complex projects, and strategic program goals in an unstructured environment
• Proven experience representing organizations in public environments through formal and extemporaneous presentations
• Outstanding negotiation skills
• Fluency in English

Desired Qualifications

• Experience forming productive alliances that advance a specific mission, particularly as it relates to conservation and sustainable practices in both urban and rural settings
• Knowledge of and interest in conservation issues and trends
• Ability to approach work and address challenges with determination and intellectual curiosity
• Familiarity with Delaware General Assembly and/or State Agencies
• Familiarity with social, economic and political conditions and issues in Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic
• Professional experience as staff or lobbyist on Capitol Hill
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience
• Master’s degree
• Experience presenting to and communicating with management-level individuals within the corporate sector. 
• Supervisory experience

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, please visit www.nature.org/careers and search for job ID# 48403 in the keyword search. Deadline to apply is 11:59 PM EST Sunday, March 1^st, 2020. 

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.