Carbon Portfolio Director

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 includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our 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. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Impact Finance & Markets (IFM) division at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) provides technical and strategic leadership to create transformational impact with the private sector by translating the value of nature and conservation approaches into actionable, science-based strategies that can help solve societal challenges. Sitting in the Global Carbon Markets team, one of four teams in the IFM Division, the Carbon Portfolio Director ensures a global portfolio of high-quality natural climate solutions (NCS) carbon credit projects are successfully launched and investable.

Through our Natural Climate Solutions Accelerator (NCSA) program and Carbon Business Incubator, TNC is currently supporting 25 NCS carbon projects in 18 countries with the technical and financial support needed to launch as a model global portfolio. The program has grown rapidly in scope and complexity and is seeking a talented leader. The program and strategy are already well underway and this position is an exciting opportunity for a motivated person to build on a strong foundation with a highly talented team and take it to the next level.

This is a two-year term position that may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity and is within 6 hours of Eastern Time, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times.

 We’re Looking for You:

The Carbon Portfolio Director is responsible for the overall success, effective operation and efficiency of the NCS Accelerator and a related Carbon Business Incubator (launched in Feb 2025). They will work closely with senior technical staff that oversee all technical aspects of project selection and development, resource management staff that track financial and technical resource distribution, and new leadership for the just launched Carbon Business Incubator. They will ensure clear decisions are made, and clear priorities are set, in collaboration with the Managing Director, Global Carbon Markets, an NCS Accelerator Steering Committee and other leaders. The successful candidate will have process expertise in multiple business areas and will formulate and develop new or modified business processes for and across all organizational business lines. They will provide leadership to project teams in order to assess processes for improvement and create new processes to enhance organizational outcomes. They will identify and implement solutions to ensure the optimal alignment of strategies, talent, processes, and tools. They will create and/or identify process performance indicators and provide expertise related to the implementation of recommendations. They will wake up every day focused on the health and effectiveness of the entire carbon portfolio. They will introduce best practice business processes and the culture of iteration and continuous improvement needed to ensure the success of a complex global portfolio. The position will report to the Managing Director, Global Carbon Markets and will chair the NCS Accelerator Steering Committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Oversee a complex global portfolio of >25 carbon projects during the development and business incubation stage;
• Hold responsibility for seeing the whole picture of the NCS Accelerator and Carbon Business Incubator including proactively identifying issues that could jeopardize the health or efficiency of the portfolio;
• Creates a culture of trust, transparency, iteration and continuous improvement. Responsible for change management when needed. Introduces new and/or improved business operations and processes and works closely with team members to gain buy-in and ensure uptake;
• Champions a business-oriented mindset among direct reports, sub-teams, and among the carbon project portfolio to ensure NGO originated carbon projects are prepared to transition to successful businesses;
• Support the Managing Director, Global Carbon Markets as needed to build and improve relationships with TNC leaders and external audiences to increase the support and success of TNC’s carbon project portfolio;
• Possess the judgement and discretion needed to make clear decisions often with incomplete information and know when to elevate issues to the Managing Director for resolution;
• Able to navigate internal dynamics in a highly complex global organization and ensure the carbon project portfolio is prioritized and successful;
• Supervise multiple staff including training, professional development, establishing clear directions, setting “stretch” objectives, and overseeing execution of day-to-day work;
• Design and lead collaborative, complex, and diversified projects, coordinating the work of other professionals, managing budget, and ensuring accountability;
• Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements;
• Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements; decisions may have organization-wide impact and bind the organization financially or legally;
• Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information;
• May develop and administer budget, evaluate results, and develop corrective strategies, as needed;
• May involve domestic and international travel of around 25%;
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years related experience or equivalent combination, including 2 years in process management;
• 3 or more years experience developing and managing multiple cross functional projects, ideally directing process initiatives in both short and long lifecycles;
• Experience with current and evolving technology and tools related to business process management;
• Experience with organizational change management principles and techniques;
• Experience successfully navigating cross-functional teams across multiple organizational levels; and
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of carbon markets, other ecosystem markets, or international development.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing carbon market projects, carbon finance, natural climate solutions, and carbon accounting is highly desirable;
• Social enterprise development experience is highly desirable;
• Private sector experience is highly desirable;
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are highly appreciated;
• Ability to make strategic decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment;
• Effective communication skills via presentations, conversations, and documents;
• Supervisory experience including setting objectives, managing performance, and conflict resolution.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!