You have until December 23th, 2025, to apply.

Selection process developed by matteria

Location and Work Mode

São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, and nearby cities - Remote

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 people and nature can thrive. We are guided by our values, including a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether through career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are many reasons to love working at TNC. You can learn more by exploring the TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or checking us out on Glassdoor.

Our impact

Since its founding in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Some key accomplishments include:

• More than 1 million members globally.
• Active conservation work across 79 countries and territories.
• Protection of over 100 million acres of land.
• Partnerships with over 400 scientists dedicated to protecting the planet’s vital ecosystems.

Purpose of the Position

The Director of Conservation is responsible for leading all aspects of a Conservation Program portfolio that spans a broad and complex geography and/or programs that operate at national and global levels. This role provides strategic leadership and support to TNC’s conservation planning, setting overall conservation priorities for one or more major divisions or initiatives.

The Director ensures effective collaboration and partnership with external actors such as government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations, local communities, the private/financial sector, and academia, and may serve as the primary point of contact. They play a leadership role in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors for the program.

Internally, the Director must work in close collaboration with other TNC departments such as Public Policy, Communications and Marketing, Finance, Legal, Science, among others, ensuring coordination and effective implementation of Conservation actions in the territories and strategies under their responsibility.

The Director ensures the dissemination of best practices and the implementation of TNC’s management and conservation tools, with the goal of accelerating impact delivery based on a systemic change approach. They lead and manage teams that enable the delivery of large-scale, long-lasting conservation results, promoting technical solutions, scientific methods, analyses, tools, and innovative frameworks.

They promote and ensure respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local and traditional communities, and act in alignment with TNC’s policies and values. They lead local stakeholder engagement and negotiation of complex solutions with agencies and landowners and develop conservation strategies aligned with institutional priorities.

This role may require work in adverse weather conditions, remote locations, and challenging terrain. It also requires frequent national and international travel, as well as availability to work outside standard business hours and on weekends.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of a Conservation Program Portfolio at TNC Brazil, coordinating negotiations with global and local partners, governments, communities, the private sector, and others.

•  Develop robust theories of systemic change to deliver effective and long-lasting conservation results, incorporating TNC methodologies and technical solutions.

• Ensure that the Conservation Program Portfolio is effectively described, reported, and adaptively managed internally through the conservation hub and related processes, including definition, monitoring, and evaluation of management and impact indicators.

• Make strategic decisions in ambiguous contexts, coordinating teams (including remote teams) and managing performance and development processes.

• Lead and develop the team based on principles of human empowerment, promoting diversity, motivation, and professional growth.

• Develop long-term strategies and achieve strategic goals and objectives while cultivating and maintaining constructive and effective relationships inside and outside the Conservation function.

• Lead, prepare, present, and/or participate in project proposal negotiations with government, bilateral, and/or multilateral agencies.

• Present and represent the program and TNC’s vision in an engaging and compelling way to internal and external audiences, serving as a primary spokesperson.

• Oversee projects and develop partnerships aligned with human rights, good governance, and sustainable livelihoods.

• Work on fundraising together with the Development team, participating in institutional negotiations with agencies, funders, and donors.

• Collaborate in the design and implementation of public policies and multisectoral projects, promoting transformative partnerships and low-carbon strategies.

Additional Scope and Responsibilities

The Director of Conservation will be responsible for the entire strategy and delivery of TNC Brazil’s impact in the Atlantic Forest and, in addition to the responsibilities above, should:

• Develop and implement integrated strategies for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest, aligning actions on Forest Restoration, Water Security, Integrated Fire Management (IFM), Protection, and others, based on systemic change theories and innovative solutions.

• Identify, analyze, and propose solutions to the biome’s main challenges—such as forest fragmentation, pressure on water resources, fires, biodiversity loss, and threats to protected areas—promoting collaborative, science-based approaches.

• Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with companies, investors, and financial institutions, mobilizing resources and promoting corporate engagement in restoration, water security, fire management, and protection initiatives aligned with TNC’s institutional goals.

• Act as a key connector with governments and institutional partners to influence public policies favorable to conservation and lead the mobilization of financial and institutional resources needed to enable large-scale, high-impact projects in the biome.

Requirements and competencies to work with us

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 10 years of experience in related themes, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
• Postgraduate degree in a related field is a plus.

Experience

• Experience leading large-scale strategic programs or projects, including supervision of multidisciplinary teams and meeting deadlines.

• Understanding of how the corporate sector operates and is incentivized, and the ability to steer those incentives toward values shared with nature conservation.

• Experience in developing and implementing public policies, combined with knowledge of how state-level public administration operates.

• Experience in designing and implementing institutional relations strategies.

• Experience in fundraising, including identifying and managing relationships with donors.

•Experience in designing Theories of Change and/or Strategic Plans based on systemic change approaches.

• Experience with applied Project Management skills, preferably using Agile methodologies.

• Knowledge of the political, economic, and social context of the environmental agenda in Brazil.

• Experience leading and managing a multidisciplinary team.

• Experience developing partnerships with NGOs, the private sector, community groups, and/or government agencies.

• Experience in complex negotiations.

• Experience influencing, developing, and implementing conservation policies and plans at the state or national level.

• Experience with financial management of large-scale programs, including budget development and management.

•  Advanced English is a must.

Desired Qualifications

• More than 10 years of experience in socioeconomic development and/or conservation practices, or equivalent training, through the implementation of complex programs with measurable impact results in Brazil, in civil society organizations, the private sector, governments, and/or multilateral agencies.
• Experience developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation.
• Energetic, creative person with a future-oriented vision and high ethical standards.
• Proven management talent in budgeting, team management, and performance.
• Demonstrated technical skills, analytical capacity, sound judgment, and strong operational focus. A clear implementation mindset, operational orientation, and strong attention to detail.
• Clear communication skills in written, spoken, and visual formats in English and other relevant languages.
• Spanish is a plus.

Our team profile

The Nature Conservancy is rooted in our mission and guided by our values. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment where all colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and their unique contributions are valued. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we work, knowing that diversity of experience and skill is key to innovation.

As we often say at TNC, “You’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

Key interests for working with us

The ideal candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to make a direct impact on global conservation efforts.

They should have a strong interest in environmental sustainability, biodiversity protection, and the conservation of critical ecosystems in Latin America.

Reasons to join our team

• The opportunity to work with a world-renowned environmental organization.
• A competitive salary and benefits package, including health care and retirement plans.
• Flexible work arrangements, including the possibility of remote work.
• Opportunities for career growth and professional development in an impactful organization.

Relevant details before applying for this vacancy

TNC is an equal opportunity employer and provides accommodations in the selection process for qualified persons with disabilities.
Advanced English.
Availability for travel.