Executive Coordinator, Massachusetts

The role demands discretion, strong judgment, and the ability to move fluidly between strategic and administrative work as circumstances require. Further, it requires managing relationships and advancing priorities through influence, credibility, and trust rather than formal reporting lines. This is a high-trust, high-visibility position well suited to someone interested in conservation leadership and nonprofit operations who wants broad exposure to how a TNC state business unit runs.

The Executive Coordinator may act as the first point of contact with staff, Trustees, donors, leaders, and partners, and makes decisions on priority of commitments for the State Director.

The Massachusetts Business Unit believes in flexibility and as such, team members are working in a hybrid model: splitting workdays between home and using TNC offices, as required. Our work has proven successful with a deliberate blend of virtual and in-person connections, as well as independent and collaborative work. This is considered a hybrid position and must align schedules with the State Director with at least 2-3 days in the Boston office. Additionally, this position requires travelling occasionally and working flexible hours as needed. The work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain. 

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication, collaboration and project management experience. Specific responsibilities include:

Support to the State Director (Approx. 50%)

• Help the State Director set, organize, and advance priorities, ensuring the most important issues receive timely attention.
• Ensure State Director calendaring and administrative tasks are aligned. Facilitate preparation of briefing memos, talking points, decision documents, and meeting materials in advance of internal meetings, board engagements, donor visits, and external events.
• Track action items and commitments that come out of meetings and help ensure teams follow them through to completion.
• Serve as a central coordination point across business unit teams, proactively connecting people, projects, and information to advance the State Director's priorities. Facilitate alignment among conservation, development, external affairs, and operations staff by identifying interdependencies, surfacing emerging issues and opportunities, and ensuring critical information, decisions, and commitments move efficiently across teams.
• Liaise with partners, funders, government contacts, and board members as a representative of the State Director and senior leadership team.
• Help manage the rhythm of the leadership team: meeting agendas, planning cycles, and follow-through.
• Act independently to prioritize tasks for State Director in the absence of specific instructions and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems; work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive information.

Board of Trustees Management (Approx. 25%)

• Manage Board and committee meetings, events, and governance operations.
• In close partnership with State Director, Director of Development, Leadership Team and Trustees, lead end-to-end board meeting planning ensuring well-run, professional execution of events, timely distribution of materials, clear agendas, and effective documentation of decisions and next steps.
• Proactively track Board committees and strategy groups, ensuring they meet on schedule and supporting them with content, agendas, materials, facilitation, minutes, and follow-up in partnership with committee chairs and staff liaisons.
• Maintain board and administrative files and propose process improvements as needed.
• Serve as the primary liaison for Trustees. Act as the connection point between Trustees and TNC staff, building strong relationships by being responsive to needs and keeping colleagues engaged. Coordinate with the TNC-wide Trustee Program Coordinator and counterparts at other business units, including participating in calls.
• Maintain accurate Trustee records and CRM data. Enter interaction data on behalf of the State Director into Blackbaud CRM, working closely with the development team to ensure accuracy, and keep board files and documentation current.
• Ensure compliance with Conservancy policies and procedures, and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements; decisions may bind the organization financially or legally.

Project and special-initiative management (Approx. 25%)

• Manage and coordinate special projects the State Director wants advanced (e.g., a new strategic initiative, an internal process improvement, or a time-sensitive opportunity) by setting realistic deadlines, managing a timeline, and ensuring accountability.
• Conduct research and synthesis on various topics (e.g. policy, conservation, partnership, or organizational questions) to inform leadership decisions.
• Partner with leadership to coordinate cross-team efforts on special projects.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience or equivalent combination
• Ability to implement complex processes.
• Experience planning and executing meetings and events.
• Experience managing and tracking multiple projects.
• Strong organization skills, accuracy, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Experience working across departments.
• Demonstrated experience using diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience proactively communicating and presenting information on others’ behalf.
• Experience of database management.
• Experience maintaining confidentiality around sensitive personnel, donor, financial, and strategic matters
• Proficiency In interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing and interpreting data.
• Experience using project management techniques and tools.

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 $75,500- $91,000. 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.