Senior Executive Project Manager

WildEarth Guardians is a west-wide environmental advocacy organization headquartered in Santa Fe, NM. We have a 33-year history of securing durable environmental protections that preserve endangered species and other wildlife, advance pioneering supply-side climate policy, ensure living rivers and protect public lands. We do this by pursuing innovative and sustained legal campaigns, bold and creative policy and legislative solutions at both the state and federal levels and by mobilizing grassroots and grasstops constituencies. We believe that we can achieve this work through the power of togetherness.. With 30+ staff, 7 offices, 80,000+ members/supporters, we’re at the forefront of conservation activism.  WildEarth Guardians is going through a leadership transition and is moving to an equity-centered, proactive, resourced and holistic approach to our organizational work. We remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate for a future where all people benefit from a thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with a labor union representing more than half of our employees. 

Position Summary:

The Senior Executive Project Manager (SEPM) works in close partnership with the Executive Director to manage projects, scheduling, administrative and communication needs. Responsibilities include acting as a liaison among senior/executive directors and managers, planning and coordinating meeting agendas and schedules, tracking and monitoring organizational activities and work projects, attending meetings and handling records regarding confidential and sensitive matters related to staffing decisions, budget,and  future planning.  The Senior Executive Project Manager assists the Executive Team in communicating and implementing organizational policies. This role has heavy contact with Guardians leaders, Board of Directors and senior staff and manages executive level projects.  The  Senior Executive Project Manager is a non-union role. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Tracks and reports on project deliverables, proactively identify potential issues and assist with working through solutions.
• Compiles, disseminates, and retains documentation throughout each major team project life cycle
• Assists with the creation and tracking of project timelines, milestones, metrics and deadlines in coordination and collaboration with senior management.
• Maintains and coordinates the Executive Director’s calendar for maximum efficiency and time management including meeting schedules, logistics, agendas and documents, travel arrangements, drafting correspondence, managing daily schedules, following through with department-wide general support, ordering supplies, tracking vacation time and time sheets and various other administrative tasks as needed.  
• Assists the Executive Director with communicating, interpreting and implementing organization-wide policies and processes. 
• Interfaces with key Guardians staff, board members, supporters, political leaders, donors, strategic partners, other organizations and outside movement entities.
• Assists in the planning and coordinating of special events and team meetings, including the creation of agendas, preparing materials, taking notes, scheduling, and tracking follow-up items as needed.
• Identifies issues and collaborates with the Executive Team to determine solutions, and ensures they are resolved using tracking systems, communication plans, and/or other project management tools. 
• Screens, researches and responds to inquiries including on sensitive and confidential matters (referring complex ones to appropriate staff) from staff.  Frequently handles inquiries related to sensitive or confidential matters.
• Provides ideas and strategy, and drafts correspondence, presentations, slide decks, talking points, and staff communications as needed.
• Works with other support staff in a collaborative team environment to help cover support during vacations, sick leave and/or during emergencies.
• Performs other duties as requested, including priority projects for the Executive Office and Board of Directors.
• This position requires occasional work outside of normal working hours (Board meetings,  other events,  special projects). 

Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation and composition skills.
• Strong knowledge of MS PowerPoint, Word and Excel is required. Knowledge of Google platforms preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work effectively in an environment undergoing change management processes. 
• Proficiency with project tracking, project development and management support. 
• 3-4 years’ experience in an executive assistant/administrative assistant position that includes planning and coordinating meetings and travel agendas. Experience with event planning is preferred. 
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy in dealing with confidential or emotionally charged matters. Ability to interact cooperatively with a wide range of constituents.
• Ability to work independently and use independent judgment with little to no  oversight.
• Demonstrated taking the initiative with identifying opportunities for development (policy, processes, methods, etc.) and  areas for improvement. 
• Ability to assess senior management needs, project priorities to maximize effectiveness and manage time wisely. 
• Problem-solving and solution-oriented thinking
• Ability to manage large volumes of sensitive phone calls and correspondence effectively. 
• Reliability, loyalty, discretion and good sense of humor.
• Able to travel to special events and projects several times a year.  

Compensation:

$70,000 – $80,000 Depending on experience

Benefits:

WildEarth Guardians offers a flexible and generous benefits package for staff. Benefits for full-time staff include 100% medical and dental employee coverage paid for by the employer, vision, life, and disability coverage, a 403(b)-retirement plan with a 3% match after 2 years of full-time employment, paid and unpaid health and family leave, a sabbatical policy, sick leave, three weeks paid vacation to start, and fourteen holidays including 5 floating holidays to be taken at any time. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees to correspond to the employee’s schedule: holiday, vacation, sick time, 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% match after 2 years of full-time employment. Part-time employees are not eligible for health coverage or sabbatical leave.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WildEarth Guardians is an Equal Opportunity Organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, class, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family/marital status, religion or other protected classes. We strongly encourage applications from historically excluded communities.

ADA Statement

WildEarth Guardians committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, WildEarth Guardians, will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].

About WildEarth Guardians

Founded in 1989, WildEarth Guardians is a west-wide environmental advocacy organization headquartered in Santa Fe, NM. The organization has offices in Denver, CO, Missoula, MT, Boise, ID, Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and Tucson, AZ, as well as several remote staff. We have a 33-year history of securing durable environmental protections that preserve endangered species and other wildlife, advance pioneering supply-side climate policy, ensure living rivers and protect public lands. We do this by pursuing innovative and sustained legal campaigns, bold and creative policy and legislative solutions at both the state and federal levels and by mobilizing grassroots and grasstops constituencies. All this work is in service of our mission to protect and restore wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and health in the western U.S.

For more information, please visit www.wildearthguardians.org.