Data and Science Director (Australia)

About the role

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is hiring a Data and Science Director for its Australia business unit, a fixed-term 14-month maternity leave replacement. The role provides senior scientific, technical and strategic leadership for conservation initiatives across TNC Australia, leading the Data, Science and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) functions and managing a multidisciplinary team. It is based anywhere in Australia with occasional travel, and a part-time arrangement may be negotiated.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the strategic governance, collection and management of data supporting conservation programs, and ensure the quality, integrity and currency of data submitted to TNC's global reporting platforms, including The Hub.
• Lead classification of targets, assessment of data and evidence, and the application of science to prioritise conservation interventions at scale.
• Provide senior oversight of scientific research, analysis and reporting, and lead science-based proposals and programs.
• Own a portfolio of complex programs spanning science, data systems, MEL and performance reporting, including governance of data infrastructure, quality, compliance and audit readiness.
• Hold program-level responsibility for the Barbara Thomas Fellowship, including design, partnerships, selection and oversight of Fellows.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, including workforce planning, recruitment, role design and succession.
• Act as a senior scientific authority, advising leadership on scientific quality, representing TNC Australia externally and overseeing applied research outputs.
• Provide scientific leadership for funding proposals, secure and steward funding, manage reputational risk and oversee vendor, partner and grant arrangements.

Required profile

• Master's degree in a relevant science or technical discipline and 4 years of experience, or equivalent combination.
• Experience with statistical or environmental data, peer-reviewed publications, and fundraising, grant writing and proposal writing.
• Significant experience leading science, data or MEL functions in complex organisations, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
• Desired: PhD or equivalent depth of experience, experience in TNC Australia's strategy areas, matrixed or multinational environments, quantitative methods such as R or Python, and stakeholder negotiation skills.

What we offer

• Salary range of $155,000 - $173,000 per annum plus superannuation.
• Benefits tailored to the country, which may include health care, retirement, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance and disability coverage, plus an employee assistance program.
• Flexible work environment.