The Nature Conservancy first commenced operations in Australia in 2002. Since that time TNC Australia has grown significantly and now conducts projects in all Australian states and territories. Our work focuses on four conservation strategies – Outback (including our work with many Indigenous Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, supporting their efforts to manage their Country for its cultural and conservation values); Oceans (including our nation-wide critically endangered shellfish reef building program in the bays and estuaries of southern Australia, from Perth to Noosa); Nature and Agricultural Landscapes (including innovative water funds in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin); and Protection (working with partners, including governments, to achieve protection, restoration and improved management of 30% of our oceans and 30% of our lands by 2030).
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Seascapes Director leads a nation-wide team of marine project managers and experts in implementing our Oceans strategy. They are accountable for leading the delivery of this internationally awarded program of coastal habitat restoration for the benefit of people and nature. The Seascapes Director reports to the Director of Conservation (Australia) and is a member of the Conservation Management Team along with other conservation team directors and managers.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU
The Seascapes Director heads the TNC Australia Seascapes Team and oversees the implementation of the Oceans strategy (one of three primary conservation strategies at TNC Australia) and all aspects of its conservation planning, resource prioritization, project implementation and development. They provide technical and subject matter expertise to TNC Australia on issues relevant to our Oceans strategy with a particular focus on the restoration of the lost shellfish reefs of temperate Australia, from Perth to Noosa.
The Seascapes Director develops key partnerships with public and private organizations in the furtherance of our Oceans strategy. This may include identifying and resolving strategic conservation issues, widely communicating solutions and best practices, developing innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address natural system needs. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies, business, other conservation organizations, funding bodies, Indigenous People and local communities.
In this role, you will:
- Executes, reviews and reports on strategy within an Australia, Asia Pacific and global conservation framework common across TNC.
- Manages 4+ direct reports and a team of around a dozen Seascapes staff located across metropolitan and regional Australia. Implements mentoring and professional growth opportunities for staff.
- Accountable for the delivery of existing oceans projects including shellfish reef and kelp restoration, and blue carbon projects.
- With support from volunteer and executive leaders of TNC Australia, develop and lead planning to ramp up shellfish reef restoration to meet one of our key conservation commitments – 60 new shellfish reefs by 2030.
- Manage the Oceans budgets of TNC Australia.
- Identifies new business opportunities and promotes TNC as a global leader in Oceans conservation when required.
- Works closely with the Director of Development and the Policy & GR Director to source and steward government and philanthropic fundraising opportunities across Australia.
- Writes proposals for funding grants or contracts.
- Frequently makes independently strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information, risk management and context.
- Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment.
- Frequent domestic and occasional international travel and flexibility to work evening and weekend hours if required.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science degree and 7 years’ experience in marine conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation and stewardship.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience negotiating.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD in marine biology or similar field.
- 7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience, particularly in relation to First Nations Australians, appreciated.
- Politically savvy with experience working in or with government departments.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to negotiate, influence, and persuade.
- Proficient in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analysing, and interpreting data.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in marine conservation and restoration in Australia.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives or related field.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
Salary Range: $149,600 – $168,300 + Super dependent on skills and experience.
