Northeast Division Climate and Energy Director

Location: Town of Vermont

What We Can Achieve Together

The Northeast Division Climate and Energy Director (External Affairs Advisor II) will develop, lead, and implement Northeast Division Climate and Energy Program strategies and goals to motivate and engage TNC colleagues and outside stakeholders in governments, multilateral agencies, NGOs, community partners, and the corporate sector. The role collaborates with a dispersed team across the ten business units of the Northeast Division (WV, PA/DE, MD/DC, NJ, RI, CT, MA, VT, NH and ME) to create cross‑border and integrated strategies to support TNC’s ambitious 2030 Climate Mitigation outcomes.

In addition to Northeast Division leadership, the Director works closely with other TNC programs—including the NY Division, Appalachians Program, and North American teams—to balance clean energy advancement with biodiversity conservation. The ideal candidate will navigate the socio‑economic and political complexity of a region dense with energy production, consumption, delivery, and biodiversity, working with multiple actors, including Independent System Operators, state governments, utilities, and other stakeholders, to ensure equitable outcomes.

The position may engage and manage consultants and collaborate nationally or globally with the Conservancy’s counterparts as needed.

We're Looking For You

The External Affairs Advisor II furthers the work of The Nature Conservancy and its conservation partners through direct interaction with governments, multilateral agencies, and/or businesses focusing on policy, practice, and funding initiatives that provide conservation opportunities and/or impact our conservation programs. The Advisor identifies conservation policy and funding opportunities, evaluates potential strategic partnerships, and develops and implements strategies to influence corporate practice, public policy, and public funding for conservation at a large scale, national and/or global level.

The Advisor liaises with counterparts within the organization to share lessons, coordinate joint policy/practice approaches, and advance TNC’s conservation mission.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Supervise administrative and/or professional staff, including performance management, training, and development.

• Manage budget responsibilities—working within or managing budgets, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.

• Achieve departmental strategic goals and objectives.

• Communicate professionally with a wide variety of people from different cultures.

• Prepare and present project proposals and negotiate with federal, bilateral, and multilateral agencies, and or the business and corporate sector to achieve program goals.

• Persuasively convey the mission of The Nature Conservancy to key legislators, government officials, and other stakeholders critical to the Conservancy’s overall public funding strategies.

• Work in partnership with other organizations in a collaborative and consultative or advisory capacity.

• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

• Ensure compliance with federal lobbying laws and regulations.

• Develop and implement multi‑year fundraising strategies and goals.

• Effectively direct and/or participate in complex negotiations.

• Develop constructive and effective working relationships both inside and outside the Conservancy.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, business, or related field and 6+ years of senior management experience in government relations, corporate sector, or an equivalent combination of education/experience.

• Supervisory experience.

• Federal agency or congressional staff experience or equivalent experience for positions with a global focus (if required).

• Experience in a corporate environment with business development, banking, corporate social responsibility, or corporate sustainability (if required).

• Direct experience working with partners and government agencies.

• Project management experience, including coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside an organization.

• Proven experience in strategy…