Operations Specialist and Executive Assistant, Anchorage, AK

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Operations Specialist and Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative and coordination support to the Alaska State Director and helps the Alaska Team operate effectively. The position serves as a trusted partner in managing priorities, calendars, travel, meetings, communications, and follow-through. Working with discretion and sound judgment, the Operations Specialist and Executive Assistant anticipates needs, organizes complex activities, and helps ensure commitments and decisions move forward.

The position also plays a critical role in supporting chapter operations, including office administration, volunteer coordination, facilities and tenant communications, onboarding logistics, and staff events.

The Operations Specialist and Executive Assistant works independently within Alaska and within a multi-state team of operations professionals supporting Oregon, Washington and Alaska. They serve as a primary point of coordination among staff, vendors, volunteers, tenants, partners, and visitors. The position works closely with the Alaska State Director and leadership team.

Role Emphasis:

• Approximately 60% executive and leadership support, including calendar and inbox management, travel, correspondence, meeting preparation, Leadership Team coordination, expense support, and follow-through.

• Approximately 40% Alaska operations, including chapter meetings and retreats, volunteer coordination, onboarding logistics, office administration, reception, supplies, mail, tenant and facilities communications, vendors, and staff events.

Essential Functions:

The Operations Specialist and Executive Assistant performs a variety of executive and operational support activities that contribute to the effective functioning of the Alaska Business Unit, including:

• Manage the State Director's calendar as a strategic tool, balancing organizational priorities, deadlines, preparation requirements, travel, and stakeholder commitments. Anticipate conflicts and competing demands, protect focused work time, and recommend adjustments that maximize effectiveness, responsiveness, and alignment with organizational priorities.

• Support management of the State Director’s email and incoming requests, particularly during travel or periods of high activity, by organizing and routing messages, identifying time-sensitive requests, maintaining systems for items requiring action, and reducing unnecessary inbox traffic.

• Coordinate domestic and occasional international travel, including itineraries, reservations, changes, travel documentation, and timely expense reporting. 

• Prepare agendas, briefing materials, correspondence, and other documents, gathering relevant information to help the State Director and Leadership Team prepare for decisions, meetings, and external engagements.

• Plan and coordinate leadership meetings, all-staff meetings, retreats, and special events, including scheduling, participant communications, venues, travel, audiovisual needs, catering, materials, and follow-up. 

• Capture decisions, action items, and deadlines from key meetings and maintain practical systems that support accountability and completion. 

• Maintain organized, accessible, and appropriately confidential executive and chapter records in accordance with TNC policies. 

• Use available systems and technology to maintain and track information, create reports, improve workflows, and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, collaboration, and staff support.

• Provide operational coordination for the Alaska TNC offices in Anchorage and Juneau, including reception coverage for phone calls and occasional walk-in visitors, mail and deliveries, office supplies, shared-space readiness.

• Serve as a primary liaison with building management, facilities contacts, vendors, and tenants regarding maintenance, parking, access, safety issues, shared spaces, and related communications.

• Process purchases, invoices, gifts, and expenses associated with assigned executive, meeting, event, and office activities, and support compliance with applicable policies and procedures. 

• Contribute to special projects and provide administrative support to other members of the Alaska Leadership Team as priorities and capacity allow. 

• Coordinate onboarding logistics for new employees, interns, volunteers, contractors, and visitors.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals.

• Act independently on assigned tasks and exercise independent judgment based on analysis and experience, referring difficult questions and unusual problems to supervisor.

• Coordinate projects with several variables, working within a defined timeline and budget.

• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.

• Perform non-routine analysis, research and follow-through.

• Ensure compliance with Conservancy policies and procedures, and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.

• Financial responsibility includes purchasing, processing invoices, contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget preparation.

• May act as a resource to others to solve problems and act in supervisor’s stead when instructed.

• May supervise volunteer staff.

• Provide input through project teams for the improvement of existing programs.

• Work environment and schedule:         

  • This position is based in Anchorage, Alaska with the expectation of at least 4 days per week onsite at The Nature Conservancy office located at 715 L Street.

  • The work schedule is typically a standard Monday – Friday with infrequent extended or flexible hours as needed.

  • The position requires infrequent travel within the state and the ability to support meetings and events – typically two to three times annually.

  • Onsite work is performed in a professional, open-office environment. Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements, with meeting logistics requiring moderate physical exertion and/or strain including going up and down stairs, bending, and lifting 25 lbs.

We’re Looking for You:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.

The Alaska Chapter works side by side with local leaders in communities across the state to overcome barriers to a sustainable future and implement practical conservation solutions that benefit people and nature.

The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects. Join us in working toward a future where people and nature thrive!

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years related experience or equivalent combination.

• Experience coordinating administrative processes.

• Experience generating reports and interpreting data.

• Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading.

• Experience organizing time and managing various activities to meet deadlines.

• Experience working across teams and communicating with a wide range of people.

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.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $66,000 - $69,000. 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.

Who We Are:

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.”

What We Bring:

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.

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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.