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Posted Jun 1, 2026

Director of Science, Water Program

Job Description: • Provide strategic, technical and scientific leadership and manage a multidisciplinary team. • Drive the science, scientific products and scientific collaborations needed to inform and inspire conservation initiatives. • Work with multidisciplinary teams to identify priorities and strategies for conservation engagement. • Ensure the delivery of the science needed to execute conservation strategies. • Lead and manage a team of scientists to focus on essential issues and strategic engagement. • Advocate for alignment and integration of science, policy, and place-based conservation work. • Coordinate with internal and external scientists to address priority questions. • Advance research initiatives relevant to the Program’s strategies and scientific body of work. • Represent TNC and TNC Science externally in various fora and engage diverse audiences. • Develop funding proposals to advance Conservancy strategies. Requirements: • Ph.D. in science related field and 8 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Supervisory experience, including motivating, coaching, leading, setting objectives and managing performance. • Experience conducting original research and publishing in peer reviewed scientific journals. • Experience building relationships and collaborating successfully with a broad array of people. • Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals. • Experience designing, organizing and directing multiple complex projects of strategic importance and leading multi-disciplinary teams. • Experience synthesizing and integrating research findings and lessons learned into conservation strategy. • Experience communicating and presenting effectively to senior management. • Experience networking extensively in scientific communities and maintaining strong relationships. • Experience working on socio-ecological, political, and freshwater conservation issues in California. • Experience with systematic conservation planning, monitoring, and evaluation. • Experience leading and participating in coalitions that have successfully led to multi-benefit outcomes. • Demonstrated leadership and visionary qualities and ability to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically-dispersed organization. Benefits: • 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