Note: Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as this position will close once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates has been identified. This is a two-year limited-term position with opportunities for extension based on deliverables and funding.
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Impact Finance & Markets Team at The Nature Conservancy 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 three teams in the IFM division, the Carbon Project Manager applies project management methodologies and best practices to carbon projects in the Natural Climate Solutions Accelerator (NCSA) program. They lead and support project teams to develop high-integrity carbon projects and establish investment-ready, sustainable social enterprises.
We’re Looking for You:
The Carbon Project Manager leads and manages projects in the NCSA portfolio during the Project Design phase. They ensure seamless and integrated services delivery and advisory support from NCSA Technical, Social, Finance, and Business Incubator teams. The Carbon PM is responsible for successful delivery of project milestones and supporting project teams in developing the carbon project development document (PDD), preparing the project for validation, and building the business, operational, and financial capabilities needed to attract outside capital and establish a sustainable carbon business. The position is responsible for project management, administrative oversight, and stakeholder coordination to steer project teams to success across the carbon portfolio, while dedicating 20% of time to ongoing Business Incubator program design and management.
The Carbon Project Manager applies advanced project management principles to lead cross-functional teams, managing the relationships between TNC’s Global Carbon Markets (GCM) team and regional Business Unit (BU) partners. The Carbon PM helps establish project goals and success metrics, develop project work plans, budgets, and timelines with input from key stakeholders, and critically assesses project scope and objectives to ensure all risks and dependencies are addressed. Throughout the project lifecycle, they monitor and measure progress, conduct corrective action as necessary, and communicate project status to all stakeholders.
In addition, the Carbon Project Manager supports the continued development of the Business Incubator’s approach, curriculum, and tools to support continuous improvement and optimize the Incubator’s business operations. The Carbon PM ensures strong engagement from cohort projects, creates systems to capture learning and feedback loops to inform program design, and contributes to the Business Incubator's long-term scaling and optimization.
Carbon Project and Portfolio Management
Manage a portfolio of developing carbon projects by applying project management methodologies and best practices through all phases of the project lifecycle.
Lead teams through the initiation and planning of projects by defining scope, schedule, and budget, then collaboratively developing project plans that break down the work, clarify roles, and mitigate risks.
Monitor and control progress throughout execution to help the team achieve milestones; actively identify and resolve issues to unblock the team, escalating where needed.
Lead administrative and contracting processes, and coordinate tasks and documentation across project design, investment readiness, and project implementation sub teams.
Manage relationships between the NCSA and regional BU partners, enabling appropriate influence and decision-making while ensuring a productive and positive collaboration.
Prepare reporting and updates tailored to different stakeholder groups; summarize and document key decisions, takeaways, and action points, turning insights into actionable forward movement.
Ensure programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
Business Incubator Program Design
Coordinate delivery of standard programming for Business Incubator cohorts, including managing facilitators, speakers, and mentors, driving engaged and high-value experience for participants, and cultivating cross-project pollination and learning.
Support and advance Business Incubator program design, contributing to approach, curriculum modules, and tooling to prepare carbon projects for investment and operationalization.
Contribute to the continued development of the cohort-based approach that enables flexibility for projects at different stages while balancing for program scalability.
Create systems to capture key takeaways, lessons learned, and feedback loops to inform future program design and growth, contributing to the Business Incubator’s programmatic strategy and optimization.
Maintain and refine data management for the Business Incubator, leveraging appropriate software to unlock efficient project tracking, investor and buyer engagement, and portfolio opportunities.
Monitor programmatic budget spend, track portfolio level KPIs, and develop quarterly reports.
Develop budget and project scope for all Business Incubator projects and track spend at project level.
Identify external trends, market opportunities, and collaboration prospects relevant to the Business Incubator’s portfolio and long-term positioning.
What You’ll Bring:
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years’ related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2 years of project management experience, or 1 year acting as a project lead on a complex, multi-stakeholder project, including experience managing and tracking multiple concurrent projects across varied teams and working with cross-functional staff.
Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to translate complex information for varied audiences.
Experience managing scheduling and financial aspects of small to large projects that range from short to long term.
Familiarity with business model development, social enterprises, or investment readiness frameworks, ideally in a carbon finance perspective.
Desired Qualifications:
Multi-lingual skills and cross-cultural experience; preference for Spanish or Swahili language proficiency.
Experience working with global projects or in emerging markets.
Certification in project management (PMP or equivalent) or other completed project management training, and experience applying project management tools and methodologies.
Experience in program or curriculum development, capacity building, business incubation/acceleration, or entrepreneurship support.
Successful track record implementing strategic program goals across complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Experience in carbon markets, climate finance, natural climate solutions, or conservation finance.
Salary Information:
This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $80,000- $110,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA.
For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
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 include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One 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. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
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 and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
