The Director for Greater Bay Area & Climate Resilience (GBA Director) is a Hong Kong-based position that oversees the resilient Greater Bay Area strategy and focuses on delivering the climate adaptation goals for the region.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The GBA Director leads the development, refinement, and implementation of The Nature Conservancy’s resilient Greater Bay Area strategy. The role advances nature-based solutions to support community and ecosystem resilience by shaping multi‑year strategic priorities, implementing conservation projects, strengthening external partnerships, and scaling cross-sectoral delivery across the Greater Bay Area, including through driving policy alignment and mobilizing financial resources to support these priorities. The GBA Director also explores new opportunities, coordinates and advises on nature-based solutions and climate adaptation work across Greater China.
The GBA Director oversees a team across Hong Kong and Shenzhen focused on climate resilience, and works closely with the Asia Pacific Climate Strategies team as well as other internal partners across Greater China, Asia Pacific, and global conservation and policy teams. The role reports directly to the Executive Director, Hong Kong & Regional Partnerships, with a dotted reporting line to the Climate Change Director for China.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
Lead a multi-year strategic portfolio focus on climate resilience using nature-based solutions, with high visibility and cross-border complexity in the Greater Bay Area.
Supervise cross-location teams, fostering integration and shared ownership across teams.
Develop and manage resilient Greater Bay Area strategy budgets.
Establish and facilitate partnerships with government, corporates, academics, and NGOs at national, regional, and local levels for the strategy.
Frequently make independent strategic decisions based on ecological, climate risk, and social-economic analysis, often under conditions of uncertainty.
Provide support to development team and other relevant colleagues in securing resources for conservation priorities from philanthropic, private and public sectors.
Ensure compliance with TNC policies, local regulations, and cross-jurisdictional protocols, particularly in transboundary environmental and climate governance contexts.
Travel frequently within the Greater Bay Area, Mainland China, and occasionally within the Asia Pacific region to engage stakeholders, monitor field sites and advance climate resilient conservation programs.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
BA/BS degree and 7 years’ experience in conservation practice, NBS, climate resilience, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, including managing finances and coordinating cross-functional teams and partners.
Proven supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
Experience building and sustaining partnerships with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
Strong negotiation skills with experience navigating complex institutional or policy contexts.
Fluency in Mandarin and English is required.
Visa sponsorship will also be available for qualified candidates
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated, particularly within the Asia Pacific region.
Proficiency in Cantonese is preferred.
7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice, NBS, climate adaptation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated success in, influencing, developing and implementing conservation or climate policy and plans at local, regional or national levels.
In-depth knowledge of current trends, policies and practices in NBS, climate resilience and conservation in both Hong Kong and mainland China.
Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
Knowledge of methods and standards of climate change information systems, spatial planning tools, or monitoring frameworks.
Demonstrated experience in effectively engaging policymakers across Greater Bay Area.
Knowledge and experience on climate finance or other relevant experience on finance is preferred.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and compellingly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
Strong political acumen and the ability to operate effectively in dynamic, cross-jurisdictional environments.