State Director

Jobtailor; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks a dynamic leader to head its New Mexico Business Unit in Santa Fe, overseeing conservation programs and partnerships across the region. The role combines strategic leadership, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement to advance water, forest, and wildlife initiatives.

As a senior executive, you will manage a multidisciplinary team, drive policy influence, and work across divisions to achieve measurable conservation outcomes for New Mexico communities and Tribal

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 7–10 years as a manager in conservation, non-profit, or related field.
• Experience in New Mexico natural resources, politics, and conservation challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead the New Mexico Business Unit and serve as a partner to Western US and Canada Division colleagues.
• Act as visionary leader, senior manager, and ambassador for the NM unit.
• Oversee conservation initiatives including water management, river protection, forest restoration, wildlife habitat, and Tribal partnerships.
• Ensure measurable conservation results and align resources for organization-wide projects and priorities.
• Lead fundraising, donor cultivation, and budget decisions for the NM unit.
• Represent the unit to staff, volunteers, donors, government officials, Tribal leaders, and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Team Management

Strategic Planning

Partnership Development

Spanish Proficiency

Board Development

Advocacy

Policy Influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Lead the New Mexico Business Unit and serve as a partner to colleagues in TNC’s Western US and Canada Division
Serve as visionary leader, senior manager, and principal ambassador for the New Mexico Business Unit
Lead conservation initiatives involving water management, river protection, forest and watershed restoration, critical lands and wildlife habitat, and Tribal partnerships
Ensure measurable conservation results and uphold organizational values
Align activities and coordinate resources, capacity, and programs for organization-wide projects, threats, and strategies
Collaborate on procuring and applying resources to address conservation priorities
Serve as primary local spokesperson to staff, volunteers, trustees, donors, government officials, Tribal leaders, community leaders, and partners
Oversee policy/government relations, fundraising, and finance leaders for the Business Unit
Partner with Division-wide marketing/communications, finance, conservation, and HR leaders
Approve budgets, set priorities, support philanthropy and donor cultivation, and conduct significant direct fundraising
Serve on the Western US and Canada Division Leadership Team
Lead fundraising and deploy staff for Division-level initiatives
Contribute to local-to-global fundraising for The Nature Conservancy
Report to the Western US and Canada Division Director and work closely with the local Board of Trustees
Manage and empower a team of 18
Spend approximately 40% of total time traveling, including local, statewide, and broader TNC leadership travel

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of management experience or equivalent relevant combination
• Experience leading and managing a multi-disciplinary team, including motivating, setting objectives, and managing performance
• Experience working and operating in New Mexico
• Experience in natural resources and/or the environment
• Strategic planning and systems thinking for large, complex initiatives
• 7 to 10 years’ experience as a proven manager in conservation, the non-profit sector, advocacy, or a related for-profit area
• General knowledge of New Mexico and Western US natural resources, politics, conservation challenges, and management approaches
• Experience in fundraising, cultivating major donors, and forging relationships in the New Mexico market
• Experience building partnerships or multilateral agreements across business and/or government
• Experience creating an empowered, trusting, fair, and development-oriented staff culture
• Experience developing collaborative partnerships with Tribal governments, Pueblos, or Indigenous-led organizations
• Experience cultivating interpersonal relationships in a global, multicultural context
• Proven skills in board development and recruitment for fundraising and influencing results
• Exposure to policy influence and development
• Working proficiency in Spanish
• Experience navigating and managing within a global, matrixed organization
• Political savvy
• Valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program
• Successful completion of TNC’s background screening process
• Completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review

Core Competencies

Demonstrates leadership in conservation initiatives, strategic planning, and team management while fostering partnerships with Tribal governments and cultivating donor relationships. Proficient in navigating complex organizational structures and advocating for environmental policies in New Mexico.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Leadership In Conservation Initiatives
• Fundraising And Donor Cultivation
• Team Management And Development
• Strategic Planning And Systems Thinking
• Partnership Development With Tribal Governments

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Management Experience
• Fundraising
• Strategic Planning
• Natural Resource Management
• Policy Influence
• Performance Management
• Multi-Disciplinary Team Leadership
• Spanish Proficiency
• Board Development
• Advocacy

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal Relationship Building
• Political Savvy
• Collaboration
• Trust Building
• Cultural Competence

Certifications & Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s License

Industry Keywords

• Conservation
• Non-Profit Sector
• Environmental Advocacy
• New Mexico Natural Resources
• Tribal Partnerships
• Community Engagement
• Matrixed Organization
• Fundraising Strategies
• Wildlife Habitat Management
• Water Management