Director of Business Strategy, Culture and Operations

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Director of Business Strategy, Operations and Culture serves as a member of the Business Unit Leadership Team and a key strategic and operational advisor to Business Unit leadership, providing leadership for business operations, organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and operational execution. The role supports implementation of business strategies and organizational priorities by aligning resources, processes, systems, and operational services to enable achievement of conservation outcomes.

The Director serves as the Business Unit's senior operations leader, providing oversight of operational functions including business planning, compliance, employee engagement, facilities, safety, sourcing and supplier management, and other business operations activities. Working collaboratively with Business Unit leadership and cross-functional partners, the Director supports organizational planning, coordinates implementation of strategic initiatives, promotes organizational effectiveness, and helps foster an engaged and productive workplace culture. This role provides strategic recommendations and operational leadership but does not serve as the delegated deputy leader for the Business Unit.

This position is open to candidates located in or near Arlington, VA or Elkins, WV. The role requires regular on-site presence, with multiple in-person workdays each week at the assigned primary location. Occasional travel to the alternate location will be required based on business needs.

The Director serves as the Business Unit's senior operations leader and a strategic advisor to Business Unit leadership, helping translate organizational priorities into actionable plans, processes, and operational practices. The role leads operational planning activities, resource coordination efforts, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives that contribute to achievement of business unit goals and objectives.

The Director provides operational leadership and strategic recommendations to Business Unit leadership and program managers, helping facilitate implementation of priorities, coordinate cross-functional efforts, remove operational barriers, and address business challenges. The role manages business unit operational projects and supports organizational change initiatives through stakeholder coordination, communication, and implementation planning.

The Director promotes employee engagement and workplace culture initiatives that strengthen collaboration and staff experience. The role also provides oversight for facilities management, sourcing and supplier activities, purchasing processes, fleet operations, safety programs, compliance activities, and other operational services that support business unit success.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

Business Strategy:

• Support alignment of Business Unit operations, resources, processes, and priorities with the Business Unit's strategic objectives and conservation goals.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to Business Unit leadership, providing operational insights, analysis, recommendations, and implementation support to advance organizational priorities and business objectives.
• Serve as the lead coordinator for Business Unit operational execution, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into actionable plans, processes, and measurable outcomes.
• Provide operational guidance, analysis, and recommendations to Business Unit leadership to support planning, resource allocation, organizational effectiveness, and execution of strategic priorities.
• Lead business and operational planning processes, including development of implementation plans, identification of resource and capacity needs, monitoring of progress, and follow-up on agreed actions.
• Support organizational capacity planning efforts by identifying operational, staffing, and resource needs and recommending approaches that align with current and future business requirements.
• Manage operational projects and strategic initiatives of moderate to significant complexity, establishing plans, timelines, responsibilities, milestones, and accountability for delivery.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects involving conservation, philanthropy, finance, operations, People, and other organizational functions to advance Business Unit priorities.
• Support implementation of organizational change initiatives through stakeholder engagement, communications, training, implementation activities, and adoption of new processes and ways of working.
• Identify operational challenges, evaluate alternatives, recommend practical solutions, remove operational barriers when appropriate, and escalate issues involving significant organizational, financial, legal, or reputational risk.
• Gather and analyze operational, workforce, and organizational information, identify trends and opportunities for improvement, and prepare recommendations for Business Unit leadership.
• Establish and monitor measures of operational progress and effectiveness for assigned projects, programs, and functional areas.
• Prepare operational updates, reports, presentations, business cases, and other materials to support decision-making by Business Unit leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Exercise independent judgment and resolve complex operational issues within established authority, policies, and functional responsibilities.
• Make operational decisions within delegated authority and escalate decisions that may create significant financial or legal commitments or have broad programmatic impact.
• Ensure assigned projects, services, and operational commitments are completed in accordance with organizational expectations, approved plans, timelines, and available resources.

Culture and Employee Engagement

• Promote collaboration and coordination within the Business Unit and with colleagues across the Division and broader organization. Foster strong partnerships and high-trust relationships across functions, teams, and geographies to strengthen communication, alignment, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose.
• Serve as a key Business Unit partner to Divisional HR, Culture & Engagement, and Business Unit leadership to support employee engagement, workplace culture, inclusion, belonging, staff experience, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Coordinate initiatives that support employee engagement, workplace culture, collaboration, inclusion, staff experience, and organizational effectiveness. Ensure alignment with divisional and enterprise culture, engagement, and workforce priorities while adapting approaches to local Business Unit needs.
• Support consistent application of organizational policies, procedures, operational standards, cultural values, and employee experience strategies across the Business Unit.
• Support onboarding, integration, recognition, employee engagement, and community-building activities that foster connection, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and staff engagement across teams and Business Units.
• Contribute to employee listening and organizational health efforts, including engagement surveys, listening sessions, workforce assessments, and action planning processes. Partner with Divisional HR and Culture & Engagement to identify opportunities, address concerns, and support implementation of improvement initiatives.
• Build leadership and team effectiveness by supporting development of manager capabilities, communication practices, collaboration, feedback, and inclusive leadership behaviors. Partner with HR and Culture & Engagement to promote learning, coaching, mentoring, and leadership development opportunities.
• Contribute to division-wide operational initiatives, shared services, staffing approaches, fellowship programs, communities of practice, and knowledge-sharing efforts as assigned.
• Promote awareness and adoption of Culture & Engagement resources, programs, tools, and learning opportunities. Support communication and implementation of divisional and enterprise culture initiatives within the Business Unit.
• Provide operational guidance, training, and support to Business Unit staff on relevant policies, processes, systems, tools, and resources.
• Manage relationships and communicate effectively with staff, donors, volunteers, trustees, vendors, public agencies, and other business partners, as appropriate to the role.

Operations

• Develop, document, implement, and continuously improve Business Unit processes, procedures, tools, and operating practices.
• Provide leadership and oversight for facilities planning, office operations, space management, maintenance, and other workplace infrastructure needs.
• Coordinate purchasing, sourcing, supplier management, and vendor relationships in accordance with organizational policies and approved authority levels.
• Provides strategic oversight of technology procurement and asset management practices to ensure alignment with business needs, organizational standards, and operational priorities.
• Participate in negotiations for operational agreements and vendor relationships, escalating complex, high-risk, sensitive, or high-profile matters as appropriate.
• Support fleet planning and oversee day-to-day fleet administration, compliance, maintenance, utilization, and related operational processes.
• Coordinate safety planning, workplace safety requirements, incident preparedness, emergency response planning, and business continuity activities for the Business Unit.
• Support sustainability initiatives and environmentally responsible practices within Business Unit operations.
• Coordinate Business Unit compliance with applicable organizational policies, operational standards, business processes, and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee Business Unit compliance activities related to data, information and records management, youth safety, and other assigned organizational requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, internal controls, approval processes, and records for assigned operational functions.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive organizational, personnel, financial, legal, or operational information.
• Maintain knowledge of systems, resources, requirements, and best practices relevant to assigned operational functions.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new operational guidelines, tools, resources, and organizational practices.
• May supervise one or more administrative or professional staff, including establishing work priorities, setting objectives, supporting performance and professional development, and ensuring accountability for day-to-day work.
• May coordinate the work of staff, project teams, vendors, or other contributors without direct supervisory authority.

We’re Looking for You:

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 multiple projects and solving complex problems. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team! 

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 6 years related experience or equivalent combination, including 2 years managing operations functions.
• Finance/Accounting experience.
• Experience leading and implementing multiple projects.
• Experience generating financial reports and analyzing and interpreting data.
• Experience developing and administering departmental budget or equivalent.
• Experience negotiating agreements.
• Experience working with teams across an organization.
• Supervisory experience including setting objectives, managing performance, and conflict resolution.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated;
• Ability to work in partnership with others in a collaborative or advisory role;
• Demonstrated ability to conceive and write creatively for various audiences;
• Experience developing, managing, and implementing goals, plans, and complex processes;
• Expertise in current and evolving technology related to field of experience;
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in relevant discipline, preferably in a non-profit environment;
• Proficiency in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data;
• Successful experience managing and implementing strategic program goals;
• Superior planning and problem-solving skills;

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $93,245 - $124,270. 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.

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