This position is for a fixed-term (14 month) maternity leave replacement. It is part of the TNC Australia Business Unit, headquartered in Melbourne, but with geographically dispersed team who primarily work from home. Therefore, this role can be based anywhere in Australia, with occasional travel required. A part-time position may be negotiated for the right candidate.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Data and Science Director (Australia) provides senior scientific, technical and strategic leadership for conservation initiatives and programs across TNC Australia. The role leads the Data, Science and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) functions, manages and develops a multidisciplinary team, and ensures that conservation strategies are underpinned by robust science, high‑quality data and credible evidence of impact. The position operates at an enterprise level, supporting conservation teams and organisational leadership through systems leadership, program oversight and organisational accountability.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Data and Science Director (Australia) oversees the strategic governance, collection and management of data supporting conservation strategies and programs across TNC Australia and is accountable for the quality, integrity and currency of data submitted to TNC’s global reporting platforms, including The Hub. The role leads the classification of targets, assessment of data and evidence, and application of science to prioritise conservation interventions at scale. The position provides senior oversight of scientific research, analysis and reporting, and leads the development of science‑based proposals and programs that strengthen organisational decision‑making, accountability and impact.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
• Leads the Data, Science and MEL functions for TNC Australia, ensuring alignment with Conservation by Design, organisational priorities and global standards. Contributes to enterprise decision‑making through senior leadership forums including the Conservation Management Team and the Australia Operations Team, and leads organisation‑wide initiatives across culture, systems and governance. Identifies and addresses strategic risks and opportunities related to science, data quality and evidence of impact.
• Owns and manages a portfolio of complex programs spanning science, data systems, MEL and performance reporting, and oversees governance of organisational science and data infrastructure, including quality, compliance and audit readiness. Leads high‑risk organisational deliverables such as global reporting and data quality initiatives, and holds program‑level responsibility for the Barbara Thomas Fellowship and related initiatives, including program design, partnerships, selection processes and oversight of Fellows.
• Leads and develops a multidisciplinary team, setting priorities, managing performance and building capability across the Business Unit. Oversees workforce planning, recruitment, role design and succession, and provides leadership for funded, fellowship‑supported and project‑embedded roles.
• Acts as a senior scientific authority, advising leadership and teams on scientific quality and application, representing TNC Australia in external scientific, academic and government forums, and overseeing applied research outputs and translation of science into policy and practice.
• Provides scientific leadership for funding proposals and internal funding mechanisms, secures and stewards funding through robust science and defensible impact claims, manages organisational and reputational risk associated with scientific outputs and public claims, and oversees complex vendor, partner and grant arrangements.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree in a relevant science or technical discipline and 4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience manipulating, analyzing and interpreting statistical or environmental data.
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals.
• Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
• Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people.
• Significant experience leading science, data or MEL functions within complex organisations.
• Demonstrated people management experience, including team leadership and capability development.
• Experience managing complex, multi‑stakeholder programs and organisational deliverables.
• Strong record of applying science to conservation outcomes and organisational decision‑making.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline, or equivalent depth of experience.
• Applied experience supporting conservation outcomes in one or more of TNC Australia’s strategy areas.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesise, interpret and communicate complex scientific information for diverse audiences.
• Experience working across matrixed, multidisciplinary or multinational environments.
• Applied experience in quantitative or analytical methods relevant to conservation, data or MEL, including proficiency in tools such as R, Python or similar.
• Experience contributing to funding strategy, proposal development, fellowship or catalytic science programs.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• High attention to detail, sound judgment and professional integrity.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES
• Builds Relationships: Builds productive relationships by interacting with others in ways that enhance mutual trust and commitment.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Works collaboratively with stakeholders across levels, geographies, backgrounds, and cultures to improve decisions, strengthen commitment, and be more effective.
• Communicates Authentically: Communicates proactively and in a timely manner to share information, persuade, and influence with the appropriate level of detail, tone, and opportunities for feedback.
• Develops Others: Takes ownership to help develop others’ skills, behaviours, and mindsets to help them maximize their workplace contributions.
• Drives for Results: Sets challenging goals and objectives based on a strong sense of purpose and high-performance standards and steadfastly pushes self and others for tangible results, while ensuring work-life balance.
• Leverages Difference: Demonstrates commitment to harnessing the power of differences strategically; consistently sees, learns from, and takes strategic action related to difference; and demonstrates the self-awareness and behaviours to work across differences of identity and power respectfully and effectively with all stakeholders. Actively seeks to build and retain a diverse workforce and fosters an equitable inclusive workplace by drawing upon diverse perspectives.
• Systems Leadership: Thinks and acts from a broad perspective with a long-term view and an understanding of 1) the dynamic nature of large-scale challenges and 2) the need for integrating five key practices: skillfully engaging appropriate people; providing a clear process for change; taking a holistic view of situations; focusing on a small number of strategic actions, while learning from and adapting them over time; and being aware of how one’s own thinking or patterns of behaviour may be limiting change.
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 all genders with diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. 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 orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.
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Data and Science Director (Australia) in Sydney employer: The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead financial strategies that directly support conservation efforts across the Oceania region. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible work arrangements, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, TNC fosters an environment where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying comprehensive benefits tailored to your needs. Join us in our mission to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends, and be part of a team that truly believes in the work we do.
