The Deputy Director, Business Strategy, Culture, and Operations serves as a member of the Business Unit Leadership Team and as the principal strategic partner and delegate to the Business Unit Director, providing leadership for organizational effectiveness, business operations, culture, and operational excellence. Working in close partnership with the Business Unit Director, the Deputy Director shares responsibility for the overall effectiveness, capacity, culture, and success of the Business Unit. The role is responsible for translating business strategy into actionable operational plans, ensuring alignment of resources, priorities, processes, and organizational capabilities to achieve conservation outcomes.
The Deputy Director serves as the Business Unit's senior operational and organizational leader and may assume delegated authority for significant portions of business unit strategy, operations, workforce planning, organizational culture, and implementation of key priorities. The Deputy Director oversees key operational functions including business planning, compliance, employee engagement, facilities, safety, sourcing and supplier management, and other operational services. As the delegated representative of the Business Unit Director, they facilitate cross-functional coordination, drive strategic initiatives, support organizational change, and promote an effective, engaged, and high-performing workplace culture.
The Deputy Director serves as a critical link between the Business Unit and divisional and global functions. Working closely with functions such as People, Finance, Conservation, Philanthropy, and External Affairs, the Deputy Director ensures effective collaboration, alignment, and execution across a matrixed organization. They represent the Business Unit in divisional and enterprise initiatives and help ensure organizational priorities are implemented effectively across programs and functions.
The Deputy Director cultivates strong partnerships with staff, leadership teams, board members, donors, volunteers, vendors, community partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to advance business unit priorities and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
The Deputy Director serves as a member of the Business Unit Leadership Team and strategic partner to the Business Unit Director, helping shape organizational priorities, resource allocation decisions, and operating approaches necessary to achieve conservation outcomes. As the Business Unit's deputy leader, the Deputy Director works closely with the Business Unit Director to ensure the overall health, effectiveness, and success of the organization. They help establish priorities, facilitate decision-making, remove barriers, and coordinate implementation of strategic initiatives across functions and programs.
The Deputy Director leads operational planning efforts, including organizational capacity planning, workforce and resource alignment, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives that enable achievement of short- and long-term business objectives. They serve as a principal strategic advisor to the Business Unit Director and Leadership Team on organizational effectiveness, operating models, talent and workforce planning, risk management, culture, and business strategy.
The Deputy Director leads complex cross-functional initiatives, organizational change efforts, and enterprise projects involving multiple stakeholder groups and business functions. They ensure effective stakeholder engagement, communication, risk management, and adoption of new organizational priorities, structures, processes, and ways of working.
The Deputy Director champions employee engagement and organizational culture initiatives that strengthen the employee experience and foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing workplace. They also provide leadership and oversight for facilities planning, sourcing and supplier management, purchasing decisions, fleet strategy, insurance administration, sustainability initiatives, safety programs, and other operational services required to support business unit success.
This role will require 3 days a week of in-person attendance at our Conshohocken, PA office. Harrisburg, PA office alignment can be considered.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
Are you looking for work 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 in leading a diverse, multi-disciplinary team.
The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $112,115 - $137,105. 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.
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
Air, water, food, shelter, income: nature sustains every aspect of our lives. That's why protecting and conserving nature isn't just a matter of common sense. It's the smartest investment we can make.
Since our founding in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has harnessed the power of nature to help solve our planet’s most challenging problems. And while the stakes are high, so is our resolve: to create a world where everyone thrives alongside nature for generations to come.
We do this by working hand in hand with communities around the world. By committing to a science-based, non-partisan approach that’s stood the test of time. And by bringing people together, from all walks of life, to find common ground in nature.
