Missouri State Director

Full Time Missouri OtherPosted on September 15, 2026

Missouri State Director The Missouri State Director leads The Nature Conservancy's interests at the state level, leading conservation strategy, philanthropy, and external partnerships across Missouri's chapter, which owns nearly 15,000 acres and has helped protect more than 100,000 acres statewide. They oversee a network of preserves and Centers for Conservation Innovation, and work in close partnership with state agencies, academic institutions, and local organizations to advance the Conservancy's mission in Missouri. They supervise senior program and development staff who also represent the organization's interests before these entities. The Missouri State Director functions as manager and conservation strategist for a large, complex Business Unit (BU). They are accountable for the BU's success in implementing TNC's conservation approach, producing measurable conservation results and maintaining organizational values. They ensure outcomes are achieved in priority areas that fall within the operating unit's responsibilities, and contribute intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary efforts. They support alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the most critical organization-wide projects, threats and strategies. They are responsible for collaborating with others on the procurement and application of resources to address the conservation priorities established by TNC, both in her/his ecoregion(s)/operating unit and in areas beyond her/his span of authority. They serve as the primary local spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners) and cultivates those audiences to support and promote TNC's mission and vision. The Missouri State Director oversees fundraising for the BU, including approving budgets and setting priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals. He/she supports philanthropy, resources and external affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private, bilateral and multilateral government) to meet fundraising goals. They are responsible for a significant portion of the BU's direct fundraising, sometimes in a major market area. The staff comprising the various BU functions may be structured as needed or shared with other units as efficiency dictates to meet the needs of the unit. The Missouri State Director reports to the Great Plains Division Director and works closely with the local trustees/advisory board. Responsibilities & ScopeLead, manage, inspire, and motivate a team of staff to collectively achieve the maximum contribution to the organization's mission and goals while maintaining culture and engagement in the BU.Oversee the development and execution of conservation, policy, fundraising, and operations plans in Missouri to ensure chapter goals and strategies are aligned with TNC's priorities at the Division, Region, and Global levels and grounded in local context. Drive resources to highest impact work and produce measurable results. Create, model, and cultivate a workplace culture where staff feel empowered – grounded in trust, fairness, inclusion, and opportunities for professional growth. Act as a key fundraiser in support of local, divisional, and global outcomes by partnering with staff to engage donors, corporations, and foundations to support organizational goals and priority projects in Missouri, the Great Plains Division, the United States, and globally. Engage and foster a volunteer Board of Trustees by leveraging their expertise and empowering them to serve as ambassadors for TNC – actively participating in fundraising, networking, advocacy, and strategic leadership. Represent TNC's interests with key community members, specifically governmental leaders and agencies, partner organizations, corporations, foundations, and academic institutions (in the realms of agriculture, wildlife, natural resources, energy, climate, water, policy, economic development, ecosystem services, or related fields), to cultivate and steward strong, cooperative partnerships in Missouri. Ensure the organizational health and financial sustainability of the Missouri chapter by stewarding a strategic conservation plan, program commitments, a multi-million-dollar budget and associated financial standards, and legal requirements. Serve on the Great Plains Division Leadership Team, which is responsible for the collective success of the division and helps shape the strategy, identifies the division's conservation priorities, and develops, funds and deploys talent to execute cross-boundary initiatives that can deliver the greatest impact to TNC's goals in the Great Plains. Demonstrates a willingness and ability to travel routinely throughout the geography and globally as required (estimated 40%); and works flexibly, sometimes beyond the normal workday, including weekends, as necessary, during deadline periods. Must be located within Missouri or able to relocate to Missouri, with a preference for the Greater St. Louis area. May be based in a TNC or home office.