Executive Director, Micronesia & Polynesia

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Executive Director, Micronesia & Polynesia (Executive Director) oversees all aspects of the business unit and is a key conservation leader in the region. They represent The Nature Conservancy (TNC) with a variety of stakeholders and lead a team of conservation professionals to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes on the land, water and oceans of Micronesia and Polynesia. The Executive Director is a senior leader and conservation strategist for a geographically dispersed, complex business unit and plays an integral role as a leadership team member within TNC’s Pacific Division and the larger organization.

The Pacific Division encompasses Micronesia and Polynesia, California, Hawai’i and Palmyra – a region of immense global importance for conserving biodiversity and addressing climate change for TNC’s 2030 Goals. In addition to representing the Micronesia and Polynesia business unit, this position will play a key role in national and global TNC priorities.

The Executive Director, Micronesia & Polynesia, (Executive Director) provides vision, leadership, strategic direction, and resources to the work of TNC and its partners within Micronesia (the Federated States of Micronesia, Republics of Palau, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands, Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) and Polynesia (American Samoa and French Polynesia). The Executive Director is accountable for the Micronesia and Polynesia Programs’ success in implementing TNC’s conservation approach, producing measurable conservation results and maintaining organizational values.

They ensure outcomes are achieved in priority areas that fall within the program’s responsibilities, and contribute intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary efforts.

The Executive Director works closely with governments and partners in the region to ensure the development of strong marine, terrestrial and institutional building programs and will focus on catalyzing alliances with partners and agencies which contribute to the implementation of conservation strategies needed to achieve the conservation goals. In collaboration with TNC Divisional and Global teams, the Executive Director will be responsible for setting strategies and expanding conservation programs across Micronesia and Polynesia.

The Executive Director will work closely with the Deputy Director and Conservation Director to recruit, retain, and lead a team of high performing staff, drive fundraising efforts, undertake financial and grants management oversight and resolve program management issues. The position will be based in Micronesia and will involve travel in the Pacific region and internationally for TNC-related meetings and fundraising. The Executive Director will provide input to the development of regional and TNC organization-wide programs and priorities.

This role serves as the primary local spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners) and cultivates those audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision. The Executive Director supports philanthropy, resources and external affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private, bilateral and multilateral government) to meet fundraising goals.

• Identify and drive conservation strategies and associated outcomes in the region
• Spearhead innovative initiatives, such as Project Finance for Permanence (PFPs), transboundary Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and expansion of Pacific Island Tuna
• High level management and leadership responsibilities, both internal and external to the organization
• Develop and execute the Program’s new geographies
• Collaborate with partners, stakeholders and other local and regional groups
• Develop a sustainable staffing and funding plan that aligns with Chapter priorities
• Serve as primary spokesperson with internal and external audiences
• Drive fundraising for the Chapter by setting and…