Executive Director Colorado Conservancy

Reports to:

Board of Directors

Location:

Salida, Colorado (hybrid eligible; local presence required) Status:
Full-time, Exempt

The Central Colorado Conservancy is an accredited land trust and community-based conservation organization dedicated to protecting the lands, waters and quality of life of Central Colorado. Through conservation easements, restoration initiatives, agricultural partnerships and collaborative community leadership, the Conservancy works to ensure that the region’s landscapes and communities continue to thrive for generations to come.

The Central Colorado Conservancy is seeking a visionary, relational and strategic leader to serve as its next Executive Director.

The Executive Director is the chief executive and strategic leader of the organization, responsible for setting its direction, strengthening its culture, advancing its mission and ensuring its long-term sustainability. Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will create the conditions for staff and programs to thrive while positioning the Conservancy for long-term impact.

This is an opportunity to lead a respected conservation organization into its next chapter at a time of meaningful opportunity and growth. The Executive Director will help shape the Conservancy's future by building a strong organizational culture, inspiring and developing its people, cultivating lasting relationships with donors and communities, and creating the strategic and financial foundation for long-term conservation impact.

The Executive Director will lead through influence, trust and collaboration—empowering the Program Director and other program staff to lead day-to-day operations, program implementation and technical work while focusing leadership on the organization's people, strategy, resources and external relationships.

Build and sustain a healthy, mission-driven culture rooted in trust, transparency, collaboration and accountability.

Provide clear organizational direction and foster alignment around shared priorities.

Lead, coach and develop staff while building leadership capacity throughout the organization.

Create an environment where staff feel valued, supported, empowered and accountable.

Partner with the Board to establish and advance a compelling long-term vision and strategic priorities.

Align people, programs and resources around the Conservancy's highest-impact opportunities.

Ensure that the Conservancy is compliant with Land Trust Standards and Practices across all activities to maintain accreditation.

Ensure the organization remains adaptable, forward-looking and responsive to the evolving needs of Central Colorado.

Communicate the Conservancy's impact, opportunities and challenges clearly to the Board and key stakeholders.

Serve as the Conservancy's chief fundraising and donor engagement leader.

Develop and advance a diversified, sustainable fundraising strategy.

Personally cultivate and steward major donors and key philanthropic relationships.

Build a strong culture of philanthropy in partnership with the Board and staff.

Strengthen unrestricted and flexible funding to support organizational resilience and strategic capacity.

Serve as a visible and trusted ambassador for the Conservancy throughout Central Colorado.

Build authentic relationships with donors, landowners, agricultural producers, community leaders, agency partners, elected officials and other stakeholders.

Strengthen strategic partnerships that advance the Conservancy's mission and impact.

Increase awareness and understanding of the Conservancy's role in protecting the region's lands, waters and quality of life.