Executive Director, Midwest Partner

The Nature Conservancy

Michigan Executive Director leading a diverse team to drive conservation strategies and fundraising efforts for TNC. Collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve TNC’s mission in the Midwest region.

Posted 7/22/2026full-timeLansing • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $185,000 - $218,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive leadership and management experience in the conservation sector, with a strong focus on fundraising, strategic planning, and team performance. Possesses exceptional communication and presentation skills, enabling effective engagement with diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Leadership In ConservationFundraising Strategy DevelopmentTeam ManagementPublic SpeakingStrategic Fiscal Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Conservation PracticesStrategic PlanningFundraisingPerformance ManagementGlobal Literacy

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationCreative Problem-SolvingAdaptabilityInfluencing SkillsVisionary Leadership

Industry Keywords

Non-Profit SectorAdvocacyPhilanthropyConservation StrategyStakeholder Engagement

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Functions as a leader and conservation strategist for a large, complex business unit in a global organization.
Represents Michigan and the Midwest in TNC’s Midwest Division.
Key leader in a global fundraising campaign responsible for producing measurable conservation results.
Leads a large, multidisciplinary team of professionals across the state.
Serves as the primary spokesperson for TNC in Michigan to various audiences.
Cultivates audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.
Sets objectives and manages performance with a focus on strategy development and fundraising.
Collaborates in shaping strategy and execution of cross-boundary efforts within the Midwest and globally.
Supports Midwest 2030 conservation goals and sponsors conservation strategy teams.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.
Extensive management experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage the performance of a large multidisciplinary team.
Proven experience in cultivating and soliciting high-level donors to reach fundraising goals, which is a priority for this position.
Written and verbal fluency in English.
Effective presentation and communication skills for diverse audiences, including high-level donors, the media, the business community, board members, outside partners, staff or equivalent that lead to desired outcomes.
Experience with strategic fiscal management, including long-term sustainability.
Seven to 10 years of experience as a proven leader in the conservation arena, nonprofit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting organizational, divisional or business unit goals.
Experience working in the U.S. and globally preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to developing and practicing global literacy.
Outstanding leadership skills, including thought-leadership, visionary qualities and the ability to inspire others in a decentralized, geographically dispersed and highly matrixed organization.
Knowledge of conservation and conservation practices.
High energy, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards.
Proven strategic thinking skills, creative problem-solving, adept decision-making, adaptability and ability to collaborate and influence.
Demonstrated experience in public speaking on behalf of a global organization with the capability to present on a wide range of science-based and conservation topics desired.
A strong network of local, regional and national contacts that include leaders from philanthropic, business and communities relevant to our conservation work.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health care benefits
Flexible spending accounts
401(k) plan with an 8% employer match
Parental leave
Accrued paid time off
Life insurance
Disability coverage
Employee assistance program
Other life and work well-being benefits