Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs

Overview

The Wilderness Society is a national conservation organization dedicated to uniting people to protect America’s wild places. This position is a full-time Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs who leads the organization’s conservation, policy, legal, and communications work and collaborates with the President, Executive Team, and Board to advance TWS’s mission.

• Strategic Leadership & Vision
  • Develop TWS’s strategy to advance its mission through programmatic work that includes place-based collaboration, lobbying, administrative advocacy, science, litigation and communications. Work with TWS’s program VPs to create and execute short- and long-term programmatic goals.
  • Collaborate with the President, Executive Team, and Board to set organizational priorities, drive equitable outcomes, and foster a culture of excellence, inclusion, and accountability.
• Executive Management & Integration
  • Manage and serve as thought partner to the VP, Federal Policy; VP, Conservation and Communities; VP, External Affairs; and the Executive Director of the Wilderness Society Action Fund.
  • Champion cross-functional integration, ensuring regional offices and national teams, and the Action Fund work cohesively to deliver on strategic goals and annual work plans.
  • Represent TWS externally, filling in for the President at key meetings and with major partners, donors, and policymakers when needed, ensuring priorities are effectively represented.
  • As a member of the executive team, participate in decision-making that guides the organization and in developing organizational initiatives.
  • Collaborate with the leadership team to build a diverse public lands movement.
• Programmatic Excellence & Impact
  • Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of conservation campaigns, legislative and regulatory advocacy, litigation, and science initiatives.
  • Ensure programmatic work is responsive to evolving environmental, political, and social landscapes.
  • Drive continuous improvement to maximize organizational and community impact.
• Organizational Culture & Compliance
  • Model and promote TWS’s values; adhere to policies and procedures; mentor and develop senior programmatic staff; promote an ethical, compliant, and efficient workplace.
• Thought Leadership & Innovation
  • Serve as a trusted thought partner to the president and boards; champion innovation and creative approaches to conservation and organizational growth.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Financial Impact
  • Collaborate with the COO to align financial objectives with programmatic priorities, including budgeting and forecasting.
  • Cultivate relationships with government agencies, partner organizations, community leaders, and donors; amplify the organization’s voice.
  • Support fundraising efforts by partnering with the Giving and Impact leaders to secure resources.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will possess most or all of the following qualifications:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in conservation, with at least 8 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of designing and executing successful conservation campaigns that achieve results.
• Exceptional management skills with experience building and leading high-performing teams with diverse talent and perspectives.
• Commitment to mentoring senior staff and fostering growth, accountability, and inclusion.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments while maintaining professionalism.
• Deep commitment to the protection of wild places and public lands.
• Emotional intelligence and the ability to bring levity as needed.
• Strong political judgment, risk assessment, and strategic decision-making.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills; ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Experience with 501(c)(4) s preferred.
• Ability to travel nationally to regional offices, partner sites, and key meetings as needed.

This job description conveys essential information about the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications.

This is a Washington, DC based position
. The salary range is $295,000-$325,000. To apply, submit resume and cover letter by February 1, 2026.

The Wilderness Society offers a competitive salary and benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equity and inclusion in our work and in our organization.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter through our online application portal by February 1, 2026.