About the role

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management, ensuring CSDP advances its mission, remains financially sustainable, and operates effectively. As the leader of a small, collaborative team, the Executive Director is both a strategic leader and a working manager, setting organizational direction while remaining actively engaged in programs, advocacy, fundraising, communications, and operations.

The Executive Director serves as the public face of CSDP, building strong relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, coalition members, elected officials, government agencies, land managers, developers, communities, supporters, major donors, and more. Success in this role requires exceptional leadership, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex conservation, land-use, and local government issues while bringing diverse interests together around a shared vision.

CSDP’s current annual budget is just under $500,000, with anticipated growth in the years ahead. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the leadership and management of CSDP’s staff. 

Core tasks and areas of responsibility

Organizational leadership

• Manage staff and contractors, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and professional development.
• Maintain and update internal and external policies and procedures, including CSDP’s Employee Handbook.
• Oversee CSDP’s coalition structure and members, including relationships, agreements and contracts, communications, and other elements necessary to maintain a healthy coalition.
• Communicate effectively with the Board.
• Support the Board with organizing meetings, and prepare Board meeting materials.
• Acknowledge and dismantle inequities within CSDP policies, systems, programs, and strategies, while reflecting on lessons learned.
• Foster an organizational culture that embodies CSDP’s core values: collaborative, inclusive, responsible, committed, knowledge-based, results-focused, and inspired.

Financial management

• Develop and manage CSDP’s annual budget. 
• Develop and oversee delivery on CSDP’s fundraising strategy, to include related events and communications.
• Develop and lead CSDP’s foundation and major donor relations.
• Monitor and manage CSDP’s organizational finances, including monthly financial statements.
• Oversee banking, accounting, tax compliance, insurance, payroll, benefits, contracts, and regulatory compliance processes and tasks

Policy, planning, and programs

• Manage CSDP’s Strategic Plan, including regular review and updates.
• Oversee effective implementation and ongoing evaluation of CSDP’s programs.
• Oversee advocacy efforts consistent with CSDP’s priorities.
• Stay informed on relevant and emerging issues.
• Develop a voice for influencing conservation policy and represent CSDP in strategic public forums.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and community partnerships with relevant and diverse stakeholders.
• Oversee CSDP’s communications and strategy, including specific publications, branding, public relations, and media engagement.

Preferred experience and skills

No candidate is expected to bring every skill, experience, or qualification exactly as listed. If this role excites you and you believe you could make a meaningful contribution to CSDP, we encourage you to apply. We value transferable skills, lived experience, and a willingness to learn alongside demonstrated expertise.

We also strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

We are seeking experience and skills that align with the following:

• 10 years of experience in policy, planning, and, advocacy;
• 5+ years in a management position, with direct experience hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff;
• Demonstrated experience working for or with a nonprofit, with knowledge of governance, compliance, and best management practices;
• 2+ years of direct experience with nonprofit fundraising;
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with proven success developing and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, Board members, advisors, donors, partners, volunteers, community members, and senior decision-makers;
• Working knowledge of local land use policy, environmental regulations, or regional planning processes in Southern Arizona or a similar context;
• Experience with community organizing and with public speaking in a variety of settings;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Practice in applying inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility concepts to ensure the wellbeing of our staff and the communities we serve;
• A strong desire to innovate and explore new strategies;
• Leads with respect and acceptance of difference;
• Competence in MS Office, Adobe, Google Workspace, and other computer software;
• Fluency in Spanish.