Utah State Director

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The Wilderness Society is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting America’s wild places since 1935. Our mission is to unite people to protect America’s wild places. Through science, advocacy and partnerships with communities and policymakers, we champion the protection of wilderness, national parks, forests, and other public lands that provide clean air and water, wildlife habitat and the freedom to connect with nature.

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The Utah State Director will play a leading role in advancing our mission of uniting people to protect America’s wild places and our vision to create a future where people and wild nature flourish together, meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing planet. The Director plays a lead role in developing and overseeing implementation of TWS’ projects and initiatives within the state, striving to position TWS as a trusted collaborator with partners and decision makers, including early and effective engagement with partners.

This position will also cultivate existing relationships and further build a network to educate and influence decision-makers, media outlets, and opinion leaders on TWS’ work and priorities in the state.

This position plays a critical role in fostering an organizational culture where people feel respected, included, and accountable to shared goals and outcomes. TWS has made it a priority to ensure that our public lands work reflects fairness, representation, and accessibility. This leader will carry those commitments into our Utah work—expanding partnerships, strengthening community connections, and ensuring our work is responsive to a broad range of perspectives and needs.

Across our team, we aspire to be campaign‑oriented, collaborative, innovative, transparent, and supportive of staff – our greatest asset.

• Develop and execute strategic program priorities for the state in furtherance of TWS’ overarching goals and vision.
• Lead or oversee implementation of projects and initiatives in Utah to position TWS as a trusted collaborator among partners and decision makers.
• Play a primary role in engaging with national staff on TWS national priorities and crosscutting issues that touch down in the state.
• Foster existing relationships and further build a network to educate and influence decision‑makers, media outlets, and opinion leaders on TWS’ work and priorities in the state.
• Work effectively with Tribal Leaders and communities and a wide range of diverse interests, including but not limited to elected officials, agency staff, lawyers, scientists, members of industry (e.g., timber, mining, etc.), user groups (e.g., recreationalists, ranchers, etc.) and grassroots activists.
• Support TWS’ mission to unite people to protect America’s wild places and ensure that TWS’s public lands work is rooted in community and demonstrates fairness, representation, and accessibility for all in both our approach and its impact.
• Serve as a credible and trusted spokesperson for relevant media outlets in coordination with External Affairs staff.
• Lead effective engagement with government relations, research, agency policy, legal, communications, and fundraising experts at TWS to ensure our work in Utah is well‑integrated with organizational priorities and fully utilizes TWS’ expertise and resources.
• Manage staff and/or contractors and provide leadership to internal multi‑disciplinary teams or external coalitions as needed.
• In partnership with Giving & Impact staff, support efforts to raise funds and deepen donor engagement, including, but not limited to, contributing to written proposals and reports, developing key funder relationships, and representing TWS at donor events (virtual and in‑person).
• Adhere to all policies and procedures set forth by TWS (including, but not limited to, finance, human resources and legal) to maintain a compliant and efficient work environment.
• Travel as needed in support of mission‑critical activities (expected to be irregular, but up to 3‑5 days per month…