Executive Director Conservation Northwest

Conservation Northwest seeks an experienced, committed and visionary Executive Director who will build on our organizational success as the conservation leader in the Pacific Northwest.

Since 1989, Conservation Northwest has been a trusted, collaborative voice for conservation. Our mission is to protect, connect and restore wildlands and wildlife from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies. We’ve successfully protected over 400,000 acres of essential habitat and played a pivotal role in recovering threatened species like wolves, fishers, and lynx. Our coalitions span tribes, conservationists, timber companies, ranchers, rural communities, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Our science-driven approach has set new standards for effective regional conservation.

After more than 30 years under its founding Executive Director, Conservation Northwest is positioned for its next chapter—financially strong, strategically focused, and ready to scale impact. The incoming leader will inherit a thriving organization with a dedicated 30-person team, engaged 15-member Board, $5.1M annual budget, and 4,000 committed supporters.

The next Executive Director will build on this legacy of success, shaping the future of conservation strategy for the Pacific Northwest. Read on to learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity to make a lasting impact on the wild lands and wildlife of our Pacific Northwest region!

Applications submitted by February 4, 2026 Pacific time will be given full consideration.

Interviewing is anticipated in Late February to Early March; early applications are strongly encouraged.

$140,000-$180,000

Conservation Northwest’s bold, innovative, and science-driven approach has set new standards for effective, collaborative conservation in the Northwestern U.S. and British Columbia. We’re guided by our values: boldness in tackling complex challenges, pragmatism in finding solutions that work, collaboration across diverse constituencies, and integrity in our science and relationships. We believe effective conservation requires both protecting what remains and actively restoring what’s been lost—while centering the voices of tribes, rural communities, and wildland users.

As an experienced and pragmatic voice, Conservation Northwest influences policies and legislation that safeguard wilderness and wildlife for future generations. We’ve secured protections for state forests, advanced wildlife crossings on major highways, supported ranchers in reducing wolf‑livestock conflicts, and championed Indigenous‑led grizzly bear recovery. This work touches thousands of lives, weaving conservation deeply into the region’s social, ecological, and political fabric.

Our work is powered by a passionate team bringing deep expertise in wildlife biology, forestry, policy advocacy, community organizing, and nonprofit management, and supported by a vibrant community of activists and supporters across the region.

Conservation Northwest is a thriving organization with a strong track record of effective leadership and strategic impact. Our current Executive Director has been at the helm for over 30 years, establishing an organization that is financially and organizationally strong.

Building on our proven approach, the next leader will guide an organization positioned for significant and lasting impact across the Cascadia region, focused on opportunities that:

• Shape the next generation of conservation strategy for the Cascades, the Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia
• Strengthen collaborative partnerships with tribes, agencies, and other conservation allies
• Foster organizational impact and staff excellence

• Forest Field Program – Conducts on-the-ground forest and wildlife surveys, monitors federal forest projects, and advocates for science-based restoration and habitat protection in national forests.
• State Forests – Works to secure long-term protections for legacy and older state forests, safeguard habitat, and influence Washington State’s forest management decisions.
• Wildlife‑Recreation Coexistence Program (WREC) – Reduces…