Director - Growing Water Smart

Director, Growing Water Smart Program

The Sonoran Institute's mission is to connect people and communities with the natural resources that nourish and sustain them. We envision resilient and sustainable communities living in harmony with the natural world, where flowing rivers and healthy landscapes enable all people and nature to thrive. Our work transcends borders, bringing together diverse communities to promote civil dialogue about complex conservation issues that know no boundaries.

All aspects of our work are guided by inclusivity and collaboration to create positive environmental change in the western United States and northwestern Mexico.

The Colorado River basin will continue to experience more severe water shortages due to climate change and increased growth, which will require that communities use less water and approach water holistically if they wish to continue to prosper while the natural world also continues to thrive. Sonoran Institute's "Growing Water Smart" (GWS) program trains and assists communities in ensuring that land-use planning, which largely determines future water demand related to urban growth and development, accounts for future water conditions and makes the most strategic and equitable use of available water.

The program promotes state and local policies that more widely integrate water and land use planning across the basin. The program currently operates in Colorado, Arizona, California, and along the US-MX border.

The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, implementation, and long-term success of the Growing Water Smart (GWS) program, which advances integrated water and land use planning throughout the Colorado River Basin and the U.S.

-Mexico border region. The Director provides leadership for program planning, implementation, financial stewardship, fundraising, partnership development, and staff supervision to ensure the program achieves its strategic objectives and complies with organizational policies, grant requirements, and contractual obligations.

The Director leads the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the Growing Water Smart program, including workshops, technical assistance, and related initiatives. The Director serves as the primary representative for the program, cultivates and maintains strategic relationships with funders and partners, and promotes opportunities that strengthen and grow the program's impact.

The Director reports to the Senior Director of Programs and supervises assigned program staff. As organizational priorities and program activities evolve, supervisory responsibilities may expand. The Director serves as a member of the Sonoran Institute Leadership Team, collaborating with organizational leadership to advance the Institute's mission and strategic priorities.

Program Development and Implementation - 55%

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive multi-year program plan, periodically reviewing and updating it as needed in consultation with the Executive Team, Leadership Team, and Board of Directors.
• Lead the implementation of the technical and financial aspects of the program plan, including preparation of annual program plans, reports, and budgets.
• Ensure the program operates within approved budgets by monitoring expenditures, identifying funding needs, and implementing strategies to address budget variances through cost management and fundraising efforts.
• Direct the development and delivery of workshops, technical assistance, program evaluation, and related initiatives using staff and consultants, as appropriate.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement research, best practices, and innovative approaches that strengthen the program and advance integrated water and land use planning.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic partnerships with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, tribal communities, funders, and other organizations critical to advancing the program.
• Develop and approve program communications and outreach materials prior to submission to the Marketing and Communications team, ensuring consistency with organizational messaging and program objectives.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies that elevate the visibility and impact of the program among partners, decision-makers, funders, and the public, serving as the primary spokesperson for the program.
• Promote and advance policies, practices, and collaborative approaches that support integrated water and land use planning and further the mission and strategic objectives of the program.

Program Management - 25%

• Develop and maintain program budgets; review financial reports; complete purchase orders, employee reimbursements, and other payment requests in a timely manner; and monitor financial performance to ensure expenditures remain within approved budgets.
• Hire, supervise, and develop program staff; oversee development of individual work plans; conduct annual performance evaluations; and provide mentoring,…