Full-Time State Lands & Energy Program Manager (Remote)
Job Description
Bonsai Leadership Group is excited to support the Western Conservation Foundation’s search to find their next State Lands & Energy Program Manager.
ABOUT WESTERN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Founded in 2005, Western Conservation Foundation (WCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Denver, Colorado. Alongside our 501(c)(4) advocacy organization Western Conservation Action, Western Conservation Foundation provides grants to nonprofits to support their public education and lobbying activities that build stronger leaders to protect the West’s land, air, and water.
WCF is distinguished by its ability to be crafty, nimble, entrepreneurial, tenacious, and synergistic. They are game changers who put a premium on turning new ideas into action and effectively educating the decision makers who influence conservation and climate policies in the West. If ideas #1, 2, and 3 don’t pan out, they keep at it until they find a way to make an impact. WCF is committed to changing the conservation and climate policy and advocacy landscape by supporting the power, voices, and visibility of historically underrepresented groups and diverse voices.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting directly to the State Lands Program Director, and working closely with the Energy Program Director, the campaign savvy State Lands & Energy Program Manager will lead WCF’s work to build leaders supporting state-level clean energy and land conservation policies in New Mexico and/or Nevada.
The State Lands & Energy Program Manager will strategically support elevating the voice of grantees (especially those in frontline communities) and other key stakeholders through the development of clean energy, climate-focused, land conservation education and advocacy campaign strategies. Campaign strategies will focus on educating key decision-makers at various policymaking venues including but not limited to: State Legislatures, Governors and their Administrations, State Agencies, and Regulatory Boards and Commissions. Additionally, this position will work closely with WCF’s funding and policy partners to maximize impact and reduce duplication of efforts.
The State Lands & Energy Program Manager will be responsible for the following:
Program Management
Aggressively track climate and state land conservation issues and opportunities for policy advancement in your geographies, documenting public statements, actions and intentions of key state officials and regulators on state land conservation, energy and climate issues.
Monitor outside interest groups and players to identify opportunities for alignment and to anticipate potential attacks on clean energy, climate and land conservation policies.
Identify and recruit racially and politically diverse grantees and consultants to support the overarching programmatic strategy that encourages elected and appointed leaders to take increasingly strong public positions and concrete actions in advancing state policy agendas and investment in support of clean energy and land conservation.
Oversee and ensure effective execution of campaign strategies, including rapid response communication and outreach tactics, and take into account the motivations of key decision makers and who are the most effective messengers.
Engage grantees, public relations consultants, and partners from politically and racially diverse and influential constituencies to amplify their voices and support their work to educate decision makers, the press and the public.
Collaborate with grantees to develop metrics of success and deliverables for grant proposals. Work with grantees to troubleshoot solutions to any roadblocks that they encounter.
Fund and provide technical support to grantees for creative and impactful paid and earned media initiatives that raise the saliency of climate, energy, and land conservation issues and build public support.
Collaborate with key state climate policy, land conservation, and strategic leaders and other WCF program areas to deploy innovative and creative campaigns.
Collaborate frequently with energy and state land conservation program funding partners on joint funding initiatives and to align campaign strategies and strategic plans.
Write detailed grant activity reports for funders.
Develop and closely track annual budgets, ensuring that WCF funds are deployed efficiiently, accurately tracked and spent in legally appropriate ways.
EXPERIENCE & ATTRIBUTES
A successful candidate should have 5-10 years of demonstrated experience in the following areas:
Strategy Development: Researching challenges, proposing creative strategies, and effectively structuring philanthropic investments to produce results that would not have been delivered without your leadership. Creating and managing strategic campaigns that promote an issue or policy to bring about change.
Project management: Overseeing and structuring projects, delivering quality end-products on or ahead of schedule and within budget. Pivoting when necessary to achieve desired results. Creative, outside-the-box multi-tasking to quickly turn ideas into action.
External relations: Acting as an effective behind the scenes ambassador, building connections, providing strategic campaign guidance and strengthening relationships with outside consultants, grantees, and partners. Working with coalitions effectively.
Communication: Producing strong written documents, editing effectively, and engaging in effective verbal communication within a low drama/high impact culture. Proactively sharing key info with the right people at the right time, soliciting ideas and info from colleagues, and working as a team to advance goals. Creating and managing paid media strategies that create awareness and build support.
Attention to detail: Prioritizing administrative responsibilities and effectively navigating nonprofit legal and logistical structures. Noticing and fixing errors that others might overlook while acknowledging mistakes and turning them into learning opportunities. Leaving things better than you found them.
Commitment to social justice and racial equity: Ensuring your work strengthens historically underrepresented voices and visibility in public lands decision-making and advocacy. Continuously learning about the role of race, gender, and other identities in shaping policy and raising your understanding of the historical context for racial inequity and its present-day implications.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Strategic thinker who brings political acumen, a campaign mentality and an understanding of state and/ or local politics and how it influences policymaking.
Prior experience working on a political campaign and/or working for an elected official.
Knowledge of climate and energy issues.
Prior experience in a nonprofit organization or similar entity.
Experience designing impactful public relations campaigns including earned and paid media.
TRAVEL
Travel to New Mexico and/or Nevada is required. Approximately 20% of your time will be spent traveling.
LOCATION
This position is based out of your home office in New Mexico or Nevada.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $90,000-110,000 annually with an anticipated starting salary dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the hired candidate. In addition, Western Conservation Foundation offers an outstanding benefits package to include:
100% of health insurance premiums for employees and their families
Health Reimbursement Account ($2000.00 for individuals and $3000.00 for families where all members participate in WCF’s group policy)
10% contribution of employee salary to a Simplified Employee Pension
11 Paid Holidays and one floating holiday
Up to three years of service, 20 days of paid leave; 3+ years of service 25 days of paid leave
12 days of sick leave
Family Medical Leave
Bereavement leave
How to Apply
Bonsai Leadership Group has been exclusively retained for this search. To make recommendations or to express interest in this role, please email Careers@BonsaiLeadershipGroup.com and include “WCF State Lands & Energy Program Manager” in the subject line. All applications must include a letter of interest and a resume.
This position is open until filled. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be screened against the criteria listed in this profile.
All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
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