Conservation and Science Director, Latin America Region
WFA Digital Insight
As demand for eco-friendly practices grows, companies like The Nature Conservancy are seeking leaders to drive conservation efforts. With a 25% increase in environmental jobs in 2025, professionals with a strong background in science and conservation are in high demand. This role stands out for its regional scope and collaborative approach, requiring a unique blend of scientific expertise and management skills. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the organization's 2030 goals and the importance of science-based conservation strategies.
Job Description
About the Role
The Conservation and Science Director plays a pivotal role in leading and supporting teams to define and implement science-based conservation strategies across the Latin American Region. This involves providing strategic vision, conceptual leadership, and guidance for innovative conservation approaches, ensuring that science underpins all regional priorities and programs. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the region's ecological and social dynamics and be able to foster collaboration across geographies and organizational levels.As a senior leader, the Conservation and Science Director will be responsible for shaping and advancing transformative conservation strategies, supporting the effective implementation of priority strategies and interventions, and facilitating the deployment of global and regional resources and expertise. This role requires a unique blend of scientific expertise, management skills, and collaboration, with the ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders, including teams, partners, and external organizations.
The Conservation and Science Director will report to the Regional Managing Director and be a member of the regional leadership team, maintaining close relationships with colleagues at regional and global levels to align with One Conservancy strategies.
What You Will Do
- Shape and advance transformative, science-based conservation strategies across Latin America, delivering measurable outcomes aligned with TNC's 2030 goals
- Support the effective implementation of priority strategies and interventions across the region, including monitoring and evaluation systems that track conservation impact
- Facilitate the deployment of global and regional resources and expertise, ensuring effective communication and collaboration across teams and functions
- Lead a multidisciplinary team of conservation professionals across multiple countries, cultivating a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and innovation
- Advance the regional research agenda through internal collaboration with TNC global teams and partnerships with universities, institutions, and external stakeholders
- Participate in the Latin America Region's leadership bodies and represent LAR on the global Science Advisory Committee and in relevant international fora
- Oversee regional conservation budget development and financial stewardship, collaborating with development teams to align transformative strategies with funding opportunities
- Maintain productive connections with regional leadership, Global Science, External Affairs, global thematic teams, and TNC's Europe team, among others
- Travel to support teams across nine countries, as required
What We Are Looking For
- PhD degree in a science-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong understanding of social sciences and their application in conservation
- Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and working with or in a matrixed organization
- Experience in applied science for the design and implementation of ambitious strategies and interventions
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to share and explain complex processes and ideas with various audiences
- Fluency in English and proficiency in either Spanish or Portuguese
- Willingness to travel to support teams across the region
- Ability to work effectively in a remote setting, with strong time management and organizational skills
Nice to Have
- Experience working with international organizations or in a global context
- Familiarity with conservation strategies and practices in Latin America
- Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation systems for tracking conservation impact
- Experience with budget development and financial stewardship
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary range, reflecting the organization's commitment to attracting and retaining top talent
- Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment, with a team of dedicated conservation professionals
- Flexible working arrangements, including remote work options, to support work-life balance
- Access to a global network of conservation experts and partners
- Opportunities for international travel and collaboration, with a focus on Latin America
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off
How to Stand Out
- Develop a strong understanding of the organization's 2030 goals and how your skills and experience align with these objectives.
- Showcase your ability to work collaboratively across cultures and geographies, with a focus on Latin America.
- Highlight your experience in applied science and conservation strategy development, with examples of successful projects or initiatives.
- Prepare to discuss your approach to leadership and team management, with a focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
- Research the organization's global presence and partnerships, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these efforts.
- Be ready to provide examples of your experience working with monitoring and evaluation systems, and how you have used data to inform conservation strategies.
- Consider creating a portfolio or case studies that demonstrate your conservation and science expertise, and be prepared to discuss these during the interview process.
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