OFFICE LOCATION

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

This position is a critical leader in TNC-Utah’s matrixed cross-functional team and will develop credible and compelling strategies to deliver transformative, systemic change to water use and management systems in Utah and lead the development and implementation of Utah’s sustainable agriculture strategies. The Strategy Director works collaboratively across the Division and Region and externally with key partners in a challenging political context.

The Utah Water and Agriculture Strategy Director establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the areas of water conservation and management and sustainable agriculture in Utah. The Strategy Director develops long-term strategies suited to TNC’s unique role as a non-confrontational, solutions-oriented driver of transformational change. The Director defines priorities and implements or directs implementation of action plans; develops key partnerships with diverse public and private organizations to develop solutions related to water scarcity, water quality and sustainable agriculture topics; and widely communicates solutions and best practices. They support development of innovative methodologies, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs, and they engage community support for water conservation and sustainable agriculture efforts. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies, water managers and users, agriculture producers, landowners, municipalities, industry, and other interested parties to accelerate TNC’s policies and programs related to natural waterways and waterbodies with an emphasis on the Great Salt Lake watershed and Colorado River Basin, and to advance sustainable agricultural practices within Utah and in alignment with TNC’s Division, Region and global priorities.

Working closely with Utah external affairs, science and conservation teams, the Director serves as the principle contact to relevant government agencies, other NGOs, and the academic community within the area of responsibility. They may play a leading role in donor identification, cultivation and stewardship.

The following skill sets will be critical for this position:

Strategic and Complex Thinking – Synthesizes multiple sources of information to develop strategic initiatives across systems to support sustainable food production and water management, long-term ecological resilience and local livelihoods.

Credible Leadership – Initiates and advances state-wide approaches to improve overall water conservation for the benefit of both nature and people while deepening TNC’s engagement with agricultural and other interested communities using experience and non-confrontational, open-minded communication.

Building Partnerships – Establishes and maintains key partnerships with non-government organizations, Tribal communities, academic institutions, local, state and federal agencies, land and water managers, relevant industry and supply-chain drivers and others to help Utah and the region find innovative solutions to meet growing food and water needs for both nature and people.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with Western water policy and law, sustainable agriculture practices and/or soil health practices.
• Experience in partnership development with water users, water managers, agriculture producers, non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation-related policies.
• Experience with developing and managing a program-level budget.
• Experience communicating professionally via written and spoken means in English.
• Experience presenting to government officials, executives, and others.
• Experience obtaining and managing public funding.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.

SALARY INFORMATION

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $113,840 – $121,000 for annual base salary. 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.