Climate and Energy Strategy Lead

Office Location:

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

The position may be remote based in any of the 10 states of the Great Plains Division. Estimate 25% travel.

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 Climate and Energy Strategy Lead (Lead) provides vision, motivation, inspiration, and strategic leadership for TNC’s Clean Energy Transition initiative which is designed to transform the approach, scale, and strategy to ensure the rapid, sustainable, and equitable deployment of renewable energy. This includes promoting appropriate siting of energy assets that are low impact for habitat and species. We will do this by harnessing the knowledge, capacity, and relationships across the Great Plains Division Business Units and in collaboration with energy leads in the North America Region, External Affairs, Corporate Engagement and Global teams. This position will focus on collective actions that maximize, in concert with a diverse range of partners, our positive impact for people and nature. The position may be based in any of the 10 states of the Great Plains Division.

We’re Looking for You:

The Great Plains Climate and Energy Strategy Lead will be responsible for the execution of the Great Plains Division clean energy transition strategy which centers on enabling a significant renewable energy deployment while ensuring that new renewable energy development is sited in low-impact areas. The Lead provides direction, oversight and accountability for this regional effort and integrates all aspects of implementation – including complex governance and collaboration, initiative design and tracking, policy and relationship development, outreach and communications, and fundraising.

Rapid learning and adaptation are foundational to the success of this program. The Lead must embrace an interdisciplinary and systems wide approach that unleashes the full potential of renewable energy, climate science, policy, and communications staff working in multiple Great Plains states and at the regional and national levels. The Lead will bring together this substantial workforce by fostering a shared vision and collaborative team structure across business units, and with diverse internal and external partners, in service of these goals.

The Lead serves as an experienced advisor, senior thought leader and skilled advocate, establishing the Conservancy as a major conservation partner in the transition to clean, green, and equitable renewable energy and helps to increase the resilience of nature and people as we adapt to climate change. The position plays a leading role in developing complex and innovative solutions; cultivating strategic relationships with public agencies and key decision-makers including non-governmental organizations and energy trade associations; collaboratively developing and advocating for policy positions; informing and delivering strategic communications; and supporting public and private fundraising, including donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship. The Lead will be a spokesperson and key point of contact both internally and externally on clean energy priorities; providing research and policy analysis to state government relations/external affairs staff; tracking policies and decisions that directly affect TNC’s climate and clean energy goals.

The Lead reports to the TNC Kansas Business Unit Director. Some travel is required.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, business or related field and 6 years of experience in government relations, corporate sector, or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Fluency in English
• Public agency, or local, state, or federal legislative policy experience.
• Research and policy analysis experience, especially related to energy or climate or similar policies.
• Direct experience working with partners and government agencies.
• Proven experience in strategy development and implementation.
• Demonstrated relationship building skills.
• Experience negotiating complex high profile or sensitive agreements.
• Proven written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

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!

Auto Safety Policy:

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.

Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/  under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $92,100 – 136,800 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. 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. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.