Rancher Networks Strategy Manager

About this role

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Regenerative Grazing Lands (RGL) Rancher Networks Strategy Manager (Manager) leads efforts to engage and activate rancher networks to advance improved management and protection of grazing lands in North America. The Rancher Networks strategic pillar is a core component of the RGL Strategy designed to facilitate the activation, capacity, and expansion of rancher organizations in support of healthy ecosystems, rural livelihoods, and resilient ranch operations. The Manager works closely with TNC staff in state chapters and Initiative Areas (priority regions) to enhance and accelerate collaboration with producer groups and other partners to advance large-scale improved grazing land management, avoided conversion of grasslands, land protection, and other place-based conservation work. The Manager negotiates complex and innovative agreements with government agencies, critical partners, and landowners to develop, fund, and implement large-scale grassland conservation.  The position collaborates with and supports TNC Business Units across state and administrative boundaries (Northern Great Plains, Southern High Plains, Flint Hills, Sage Brush Sea, and other priority grasslands) and oversees and coordinates multi-state workstreams and projects and major grant-funded projects.  The Manager serves as a principle contact for the Department of Defence (Sentinel Landscapes and REPI) related to grazing initiatives and projects within North America.  The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that grant conditions and outcomes assigned to TNC are achieved in accordance with grant agreements. The Manager leads, at times and as necessary, small matrixed teams comprised of internal and external partners. 

Responsibilities & Scope

• Facilitates and leads cross-boundary implementation of the RGL Rancher Network Strategy to support, activate, and expand rancher networks to advance improved grazing management and place-based conservation strategies.

• Assists and supports TNC business units in the development of highly functioning relationships with rancher-led coalitions, conservation partners, and supply chain entities to advance peer influence between ranchers, networks, and other industry entities for improved grazing land management and protection.

• Manages and coordinates TNC’s involvement in the multi-state federal DoD REPI Warren grant and other grant-funded initiatives, including implementation of improved management practices and ensuring compliance with stated program outcomes.

• Supports other RGL team members in developing innovative tools, tactics, and policies (state and federal) to facilitate adoption of regenerative management by ranchers.

• Identifies strategies and programmatic solutions to overcome entry barriers for new and under-represented producers.

• Coordinates across key grazing landscapes (NGP, SHPI, Sage Brush Sea, Flint Hills, & others) to bring RGL resources and strategies to landscape-scale and whole-system initiatives and gather and synthesize rancher and partner perspectives to inform RGL strategy.

• Contributes significantly to strategic external partnership development and relationship management, including but not limited to DoD, World Wildlife Fund, Ducks Unlimited, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, National Grazing Lands Coalition, Central Grasslands Roadmap, state livestock associations, and others. 

• Engages with the TNC Indigenous Right Relations and Buffalo Restoration programs to identify new partnership needs and opportunities for Indigenous producers.

• Establishes and maintains optimal standards of performance while controlling costs and appropriately administering established project budgets.

• Responsible for raising public and private funds to meet program needs and support allied organizations and networks.

• Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.

• Intermittently supervises one or more staff, intern(s), or volunteer(s) as needed.

• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

• May require frequent domestic or international travel.

• May work long/flexible hours, including off hours and weekends, as needed to coordinate with staff and partners across the US or region.

This is a full-time position, based at a home office within the continental United States, with a preference for Western US.

We’re Looking for You:

The Regenerative Grazing Lands (RGL) Rancher Networks Strategy Manager (Manager) plays a key role in the larger North American Regenerative Agriculture team and works closely in collaboration with, and support of, other TNC teams and external partners.  Leading one of three RGL strategic pillars, this position guides and supports TNC’s engagement with Grazing Lands Coalitions, Prescribed Fire Collaboratives, and other rancher-led organizations.  Relationships with rancher organization are intended to be stewarded primarily by state business unit and priority areas staff, with the Manager providing assistance, information, supply chain connections, and broader regional and national coordination.  The Manager also oversees and coordinates TNC’s work with major grant-funded projects, including federal grants, that require monitoring and management to ensure project outcomes are achieved by internal and external partners.  These and other responsibilities require a knowledge of ranching practices and grassland ecology, as well as the ability to manage through complexity and collaborate effectively in varied and matrixed teams.  While this position requires independent decision making and discretion, it is also supported by a team of subject-matter experts and skilled and dedicated professionals.   What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experi

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