Director Of People And Operations

Portland, Oregon, USA

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.”

The primary responsibility of the Director of People and Operations (DPO) is to provide strategic direction and leadership for the 70 staff team in the Oregon Business Unit (BU) on matters pertaining to people and human resources support including talent management, performance management, employee engagement and well-being, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. They are also responsible for overall leadership of business operations such as facilities and fleet management, workplace safety, and may support high level financial management in collaboration with the Finance Manager, Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the Board of Trustees. The DPO reports to the Oregon State Director and, as a member of the executive team, shares responsibility for the overall performance of the BU. The DPO is a leader and authentic collaborator in establishing, designing and implementing structures, programs and/or practices – as well as modeling their own behaviors and actions - that nurture an inclusive, psychologically safe, courageous and vibrant organizational culture in support of The Nature Conservancy’s organizational goals, mission and values.

The Director of People and Operations will collaborate with Directors of Operations in other BUs and TNC’s People Team at the Divisional, Regional and Global levels to deliver effective services and programs to advance TNC’s goals for employee experience and engagement, including some of the following functions: recruiting, talent management, performance management, staff development and training, managerial excellence, employee relations, compensation, and organizational development. They co-manage a small team of HR professionals shared across the Oregon, Washington, and Colorado Business Units. Depending on experience, they may also directly manage finance, volunteer programs and other administrative support staff.

The DPO will serve as the BU leader in ensuring our recruitment and retention practices for staff and interns are positioned to achieve our goals to have a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. Along with the HR team, they will support hiring managers with the staffing process including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding. They will also ensure effective and consistent implementation of TNC’s performance management process. The DPO will drive development of the networks and partnerships we need to help us connect with people who may not have previously thought of TNC as a place for them – matching their skills, experience, and passion with the critical roles we are looking for to advance our mission.

The DPO will serve as an executive team sponsor of the BU’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team and play a key role to support the team as well as the implementation and evolution of the Oregon BU’s DEI Action Plan.

They will be responsible for ensuring that programmatic work is a collaborative and well-integrated effort across the BU and, where appropriate, across multiple BU’s. They will reinforce consistency in the organization's policies and procedures and provide direction related to human resources and operations. They will use a curious and learning mindset to adapt and evolve programs and structures to meet business needs. The DPO will provide guidance as well as promote and/or deliver learning development programs that grow staff skills and competencies, strengthen organizational culture, and support organizational goals and values. They will lead diverse activities, develop and improve processes, develop goals, and initiate solutions in order to improve effectiveness. The DPO will leverage constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of people, including staff colleagues in and outside Oregon, Trustees, and external partners.

Do you love supporting people and improving systems to cultivate to a vibrant organizational culture? Do you believe that how works happens is as important as the work that is accomplished? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We believe our staff are our most valuable asset. We’re looking for someone with strong experience in leading talent management and organizational development. Competitive candidates will be leaders on cultural competencies, building strong organizational culture, psychological safety, DEI, talent development, and direct people support.

The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the “what” and the “how” of our work for today and well into the future!

• Experience leading and managing complex projects and initiatives, including organizational change initiatives.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience working with current trends and best practices in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion discipline.
• Experience creating an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally competent work environment including recruitment, retention, staff development, coaching and/or best practice development.
• Experience working across teams and communicating with a wide range of people and cultures.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures for human resources and/or other business operations functions.
• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience or equivalent combination, including 3 years managing human resource or other operations functions.
• Experience developing and administering departmental budget or equivalent.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience leading and implementing employee learning and development plans or trainings that support managerial and team excellence goals and DEI goals.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated.
• Understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
• Excellent communication skills including presentations, conversations, and documents.
• Coaching, negotiation and/or conflict resolution skills are appreciated.
• Proven ability to work in a fast paced, stressful and highly visible environment.
• Experience providing support in HR processes.
• Financial strategy management experience across multiple departments or programs.

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 a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 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. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

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.

Estimated starting salary: $114,000 - $124,270 /annually, dependent on qualifications and experience.

To apply for job ID# 53853, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on September 5, 2023. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character 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.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.