Global Director, Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation
Seattle, WA, USA
USD 122k-180k / year
Posted on Jul 23, 2026
What We Can Achieve Together
The Global Director of Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation (ICLC) is a bold, strategic, and visionary leader responsible for advancing one of TNC’s most critical global priorities.
Reporting to the Global Managing Director, Equitable Conservation, this position will lead a global team and is responsible for advancing Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation as a cross-cutting transformative practice across TNC. The Director supervises a small, specialized global unit and works through a complex matrix of regional, country, and global teams, providing strategic leadership, influence, and coordination to advance shared conservation outcomes with and for Indigenous Peoples, Tribal Nations, and local communities.
This Role Will
We’re Looking For You
The Global Director, ICLC leads the design and execution of a global transformative practice that crosscuts all of TNC’s work.
The Director leads a global team of ~6 staff, works across regions and functions, and engages senior internal and external stakeholders to accelerate a shift toward conservation models rooted in equity, rights, and local leadership. They lead the global strategy of Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation, partnering closely with regional and global teams as well as local communities, rightsholders and stakeholders to deliver conservation outcomes that respect and advance Indigenous rights and sovereignty. They will manage a team toward a vision of self-determination.
They provide strategic direction, organizational influence, and management oversight to ensure that Indigenous and community leadership is embedded in conservation outcomes, partnerships, and systems. They also have the ability to understand enabling conditions as they shift, and adjust strategy and team accordingly, while grounded in global community reality and expectations.
They serve as the primary spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, Board of Trustees, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners) and cultivates these audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.
This role is remote and can be based in Angola, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada (Alberta, Ontario, or Northwest Territories only), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Gabon, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Papau New Guinea, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, USA, or Zambia.
This role may include travel up to 25% of total time.
Responsibilities & Scope
Global Strategy & Transformation
This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $122,000 - $180,000 or hourly rate for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
This position may also be based in a Canadian province/territory where TNC is registered (Ontario, Alberta, Northwest Territories). The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of 190,000 - 211,000 CAD or hourly rate for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is Canada. 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. 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 competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports 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.
Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.
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.
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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
The Global Director of Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation (ICLC) is a bold, strategic, and visionary leader responsible for advancing one of TNC’s most critical global priorities.
Reporting to the Global Managing Director, Equitable Conservation, this position will lead a global team and is responsible for advancing Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation as a cross-cutting transformative practice across TNC. The Director supervises a small, specialized global unit and works through a complex matrix of regional, country, and global teams, providing strategic leadership, influence, and coordination to advance shared conservation outcomes with and for Indigenous Peoples, Tribal Nations, and local communities.
This Role Will
- Drive a global strategy that advances Indigenous and community leadership across TNC’s conservation work
- Shape how TNC delivers on its 2030 goals and beyond through equitable, durable, and community-led outcomes
- Influence systems, financing, partnerships, and governance to align with self-determined stewardship and rights-based approaches
- Partner with Equitable Conservation teammates on a vision of biocultural restoration for the planet
We’re Looking For You
The Global Director, ICLC leads the design and execution of a global transformative practice that crosscuts all of TNC’s work.
The Director leads a global team of ~6 staff, works across regions and functions, and engages senior internal and external stakeholders to accelerate a shift toward conservation models rooted in equity, rights, and local leadership. They lead the global strategy of Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation, partnering closely with regional and global teams as well as local communities, rightsholders and stakeholders to deliver conservation outcomes that respect and advance Indigenous rights and sovereignty. They will manage a team toward a vision of self-determination.
They provide strategic direction, organizational influence, and management oversight to ensure that Indigenous and community leadership is embedded in conservation outcomes, partnerships, and systems. They also have the ability to understand enabling conditions as they shift, and adjust strategy and team accordingly, while grounded in global community reality and expectations.
They serve as the primary spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, Board of Trustees, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners) and cultivates these audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.
This role is remote and can be based in Angola, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada (Alberta, Ontario, or Northwest Territories only), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Gabon, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Papau New Guinea, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, USA, or Zambia.
This role may include travel up to 25% of total time.
Responsibilities & Scope
Global Strategy & Transformation
- Lead and evolve TNC’s global ICLC strategy, ensuring alignment with team and organizational priorities as well as external movements
- Translate vision into actionable frameworks, priorities, partnerships and investments, including evaluation and adaptive management
- Drive integration of ICLC across conservation, climate and policy programs and influence high-level decision-making
- Embed Indigenous and community leadership into core programmatic strategies
- Advance strategies for governance and decision-making, funding allocation and finance mechanisms, and external partnerships
- Position ICLC as a central driver of conservation impact and organizational transformation, influencing global and regional conservation strategies and outcomes
- Strengthen organizational capacity to partner effectively with Indigenous Peoples and local communities
- Lead and manage a global, multi-disciplinary and geographically dispersed team
- Build a high-performing, inclusive culture aligned with TNC’s values
- Serve on Conservation Leadership Team and Equitable Conservation Leadership Team as an expert on Indigenous-led approaches
- Develop a succession plan for ICLC leadership
- Serve as a global thought leader and spokesperson for Indigenous and community-led conservation
- Build and sustain partnerships with Indigenous leaders and community organizations, as well as global NGOs, multilaterals and funders
- Represent TNC in global forums and influence the broader conservation and climate fields
- Advance and support global fundraising and donor engagement strategies
- Align resources and investments with ICLC global priorities
- Ensure effective delivery of programs and measurable conservation outcomes
- Collaborate across Equitable Conservation and other TNC functions, such as Global Protect, Provide, Climate, Science, Policy and Public Funding and Impact Finance and Markets teams
- Lead and contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives and cross-boundary efforts
- Ensure strong alignment between global strategy and regional implementation
- Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of experience as a leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area
- Majority of experience gained outside the U.S. with an emphasis on the global south along with a demonstrated commitment to developing and practicing global literacy (Please do not apply if you do not have this.)
- Management experience including leading and managing a global multi-disciplinary team
- Experience working in or as a partner to global, matrixed organizations
- Written and verbal fluency in English is required
- People management experience, whether direct supervision or project supervision
- Executive decision-making abilities and a bias for strategy-driven approaches
- Experience communicating with and presenting to diverse audiences including donors, board members, employees, outside partners, or equivalent
- Master’s degree and minimum of 10+ years’ experience as a proven leader in the conservation arena, advocacy, Indigenous and tribal governance or related area
- Deep professional and/or lived expertise in Indigenous rights, community leadership, governance and/or equitable conservation
- Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team towards established vision
- Demonstrated ability to influence organizational strategy and systems
- Success as an inspirational leader who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence. Proven managerial talent in budgeting, staffing, and performance management
- Experience in fundraising and budget management
- High energy, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards. Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization
- Proven technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus. Demonstrated operational, implementation and detail-oriented perspective
- Well organized and self-directed; politically savvy and a team player
This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $122,000 - $180,000 or hourly rate for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
This position may also be based in a Canadian province/territory where TNC is registered (Ontario, Alberta, Northwest Territories). The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of 190,000 - 211,000 CAD or hourly rate for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is Canada. 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. 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 competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports 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.
Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.
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.
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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
