Director of External Affairs

About the role

The Colorado Director of External Affairs advances The Nature Conservancy’s mission by designing, influencing and implementing durable policy solutions that contribute to a world where nature and people thrive together. The Colorado Director leads the development and execution of strategies that engage government agencies, other decision-makers, conservation colleagues and a wide array of partners in securing policy outcomes that are critical to achieving TNC’s 2030 conservation and climate goals.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of a cohesive annual External Affairs strategy for TNC Colorado.
• Represents TNC’s conservation policy priorities in a variety of forums including legislative and regulatory / rule-making sessions.
• Buils and maintains relationships with elected officials, agency leaders, non-profit partners, private stakeholders and others.
• Maintains and analyzes state and federal legislative or administrative actions affecting TNC’s conservation priorities.
• Fosters internal coordination around policy positions and messaging; relationships with elected officials and policymakers; and policy related outreach to funders, media and the public.
• Leads and develops a multi-disciplinary team, including responsibility for performance management, training, and career development.
• Manages the Colorado Board of Trustee’s Policy Committee, including annual approval of state legislative agenda.
• Participates as a member of the Colorado Leadership Team to develop, review and implement strategic and annual plans and business operations.
• Supports conservation policy and climate action and on behalf of TNC’s Western Division and North America Policy and Government Relations (NAPGR) policy goals.
• Develops and manages the External Affairs budget and has authority to modify budget based on changing circumstances.
• Operates within budget guidelines to ensure sound financial performance.
• Sets and manages the External Affairs budget.
• Secures public and private funds to meet program needs.
• Works independently through consultation and agreement with others.
• Ensures that program meets compliance with all lobbying, contractual and legal regulations and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of related senior-level work experience, including current and evolving political, legislative and conservation trends on a federal and/or multi-state level.
• Demonstrated experience building strong relationships across a matrixed organization and with partners such as government agencies, Tribal Nations, elected officials, non-profit organizations, corporations, donors, and volunteers.
• Experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and overseeing program budgets.
• Experience working with current and evolving political, legislative, sustainability, and/or conservation trends on a federal state and/or multi-state level.
• Experience leading or supporting complex negotiations and presenting to government officials, corporate executives, board members, or similar audiences.
• Experience designing, implementing and directing multiple and multifaceted projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
• Experience communicating complex concepts to diverse internal and external audiences.
• Advanced understanding of and experience with Western U.S. policy priorities and climate policy.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public policy, environmental studies, conservation, law, business, or a related field.
• 7 years of experience in leading overall strategy development and implementation related to Western U.S. public policy, conservation/environmental policy, regulatory advocacy, and public funding.
• Experience identifying and securing public funding to support conservation outcomes.
• Experience working with current and evolving political, legislative, sustainability, and/or conservation trends on a federal state and/or multi-state level.
• Experience leading or supporting complex negotiations and presenting to government officials, corporate executives, board members, or similar audiences.
• Experience designing, implementing and directing multiple and multifaceted projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
• Experience communicating complex concepts to diverse internal and external audiences.
• Advanced understanding of and experience with Western U.S. policy priorities and climate policy.

Pay

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $157,000 - $167,000 USD. 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.