Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and entrepreneurial individual passionate about conservation, tourism, and social impact to join our team. As an extern, you will be responsible for developing a private sector engagement strategy for the hospitality & tourism sector.

Through this externship, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how TNC’s innovative financial mechanisms, such as Project Finance for Permanence (PFPs), Nature Bonds, and large-scale protection initiatives, can be strategically aligned with corporate sustainability and biodiversity goals. By engaging directly with internal experts and external stakeholders, the extern will explore how these tools can meet the evolving needs of tourism and hospitality companies, while advancing TNC’s mission to protect critical ecosystems and support resilient livelihoods.

The Nature Conservancy: TNC is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive by conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. As a science-driven organization, we craft innovative, on-the-ground solutions to tackle the world's toughest challenges, fostering a harmonious world where both people and nature flourish. Our mission is our foundation, and our values - embracing diversity and respecting people, communities, and cultures- guide us.

Program: Impact Finance & Markets > Corporate Engagement (dotted line > Protect)

TNC has a long-standing history of collaboration with the tourism and hospitality sector, notably through initiatives such as the Africa Conservation & Communities Tourism (ACCT) Fund. Partnerships such as this have supported conservation efforts and demonstrated the sector’s commitment to preserving the ecosystems that underpin biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the tourism economy itself.

As TNC seeks to deepen its engagement with tourism and hospitality companies, this externship will support the development of strategic framework to guide future collaboration and philanthropic outreach. The extern’s work will directly inform TNC’s approach to engaging in private sector funders in this space.

Responsibilities:

The outputs of this externship will be used to inform TNC’s strategy for engaging private sector funders in the tourism and hospitality sector. The extern will work with internal and external stakeholders to:

• Sector Segmentation & Prioritization:

• Relevance to TNC’s conservation priorities and advancing TNC’s goals

• Feasibility of corporate collaboration (e.g., philanthropic potential, operational model and alignment, risk profile)

• Geographic footprint and influence on biodiversity hotspots

• Create a ranking methodology to assess and prioritize corporate prospects based on alignment with TNC’s goals, potential for impact, and readiness to engage.
  

• Value Proposition Development:

• Strategic benefits of partnering with TNC, including place-based risk-mitigation and enhancements of natural assets

• Co-benefits for companies (e.g., brand reputation, stakeholder engagement, ESG performance, and other reasons why companies should engage TNC)

• Alignment with TNC’s protection priorities and Provide’s biodiversity pillars.

• Additional Responsibilities and Opportunities for Contribution:

  Prioritize region(s) or specific sectors for deep dives.

  Identify and summarize successful TNC collaborations in tourism and hospitality to inform best practices.

  Visualize the sector’s influence on key geographies and ecosystems relevant to TNC’s work.

  Propose KPIs for measuring partnership success and conservation impact in tourism collaborations.

  Assess investor relations value to companies.

  Identify opportunities for procurement from hospitality and tourism operators to support other TNC goals (e.g., Provide).

   

• Value Proposition:

   

  You'll gain hands-on exposure to the environmental and conservation sectors, working alongside leading scientists, strategists, and nonprofit experts on high-impact initiatives. This is a powerful opportunity to expand your skill set, explore new working styles, and strengthen your leadership capabilities, all while contributing to meaningful change.

• Employees manage their own workday, collaborate remotely across global teams, and build confidence in navigating complex, interdisciplinary challenges. The role also offers flexible hours and the possibility to travel or work from anywhere, making it ideal for those seeking autonomy and balance. Whether you're passionate about nature, eager to grow professionally, or curious about nonprofit dynamics, this role is a launchpad for personal and career transformation.

   

• Minimum Qualifications:

  • BA/BS and 3 years of consulting experience or an MBA plus 1 year of consulting experience at Bain

  • Strategic, action-oriented, resourceful, and adaptable

  • Ability to deliver results independently and collaboratively

  • Ability to communicate clearly with emotional intelligence and cultural competency

  • Demonstrated experience in leading conversations with internal and external stakeholders

  • Skilled in developing and utilizing analytical frameworks and ranking methodology.

  • Self-starter with the ability to thrive in entrepreneurial environments

  • Commitment to social impact and/or environmental sustainability.

     

• Preferred Qualifications:

  • 5-7 years of demonstrated experience in project management, business strategy, and related fields.

  • Demonstrated experience working with the tourism & hospitality sector.

     

What We Bring: Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in, protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!  We’re proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health, well-being, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $140,400 annual, or $70,200 for the six month term. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

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.

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 [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.