Conservation Finance Director

About Western Landowners Alliance (WLA): Founded in 2012 by landowners and managers, the organization aims to increase the wellbeing of working lands in the American West and the living communities, including human and wildlife, that depend on them.

Position Overview: The Conservation Finance Director will develop and implement strategies to strengthen economic support for the conservation and stewardship of working lands in the American West. This will include working with landowners, state and federal agencies, businesses and the philanthropic community to develop and promote market opportunities, economic incentives and regulatory support.

Amount of Time & Status: 40 hours a week, exempt, Monday-Friday

Location: This position is remote but requires residency in the American West. Regular travel will be required.

Reports to: Chief Policy Officer

Compensation: $80,000-$100,000. Salary is commensurate with experience. Western Landowners Alliance offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, parental and medical leave, 403b retirement savings account with a discretionary match, life insurance, short-term disability benefits, and an employee assistance program.

Duties/Responsibilities Include:

• Develop and implement finance strategies to strengthen economic support for the conservation and stewardship of working lands in the West.
• Work with landowners, partners and decision makers to evaluate, inform and advocate for relevant economic policies, financial and regulatory incentive programs, and ecosystem service markets. Ensure landowner perspectives and interests are well represented in program and policy development.
• Develop and manage relationships with corporate and philanthropic partners to generate ecosystem service market opportunities.
• Identify and establish collaborative relationships with government agencies (i.e. US Fish & Wildlife Services) to support data collection and development of regulatory assurances.
• Support landowners in assessing and engaging in ecosystem payment programs and markets through educational outreach, referrals, peer-to-peer learning, and advocacy. Serve as a subject matter expert on behalf of WLA.
• Communicate the opportunities, successes, challenges, landowner perspectives and lessons learned in the quest to secure economic support for ecological stewardship on private and working lands.
• Manage and implement conservation finance projects and related grants.
• Collaborate and help advance public policies related to conservation finance on working lands.
• Oversee, hire and manage program-related staff and contractors.
• Serve as a member of the leadership team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution or equivalent work experience required
• Significant experience in the areas of conservation finance and ecosystem service markets
• Strategic thinking and business mindset with a proven ability to plan, organize and execute
• Experience working with landowners, governments, businesses and other stakeholders on landscape level agricultural and environmental policy and strategy
• Experience in coalition building and leadership
• An experienced and influential communicator with ability to engage and build credibility up to senior levels both internally and externally
• Collaborative leader and team member, committed to learning and personal development, and to developing understanding, skills, confidence and capacity in colleagues
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required
• Willingness and ability to maintain confidential information and work with diverse populations
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite

Working Environment/Physical Activities: Work environment is an office setting with occasional field/ranch visits. Physical activities include sitting at a desk and working on a keyboard and computer several hours a day; conducting business over the telephone and via email; standing for long periods of time; traveling long distances by vehicle (including traveling on unpaved roads or in off-highway vehicles); walking on uneven ground; working outside in variable weather conditions. This position may also require moving agency materials up to 25 pounds. This position requires to facilitate meetings, and interface professionally with the public.

Target Start Date: Immediately