Vice President of Programs

Conservation Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Conservation Colorado is seeking a Vice President of Programs to lead the policy and political teams responsible for programmatic success in protecting Colorado’s environment and people. The position reports to the CEO, serves on the executive leadership team, and manages a team of 11, including three direct reports. The program department advances the organization’s policy and politics work by delivering policy victories and electing, engaging, and holding accountable leaders who protect the environment and communities. The Vice President builds and manages policy and political teams, collaboration systems, multi-year program plans, and campaign plans. The role works closely with the VP of Community Engagement to connect organizing and mobilization with decision-making; works with the CEO and Deputy Vice President for Politics and Programs on political strategy and accountability; and leads a portion of the organization’s electoral work. The VP ensures equity and racial justice are integrated into programmatic work and serves as a programmatic liaison for foundation giving at the direction of the development team. The role oversees team activities such as budgeting, planning, staff development, and data-informed work. It mentors and develops senior staff using a supportive, collaborative approach. As a member of the executive team, the VP works with the CEO to set organizational strategy and goals, and coordinates or supports cross-departmental initiatives. All staff are also expected to contribute to organizational priorities, including some fundraising, election-related activities, and equity and inclusivity efforts. This is a full-time, exempt position based in Denver with a flexible hybrid model and no fixed in-office schedule. All roles involve some in-person work, and COVID vaccination is required. The role offers some flexibility in the exact schedule. Conservation Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and conservation movement.

Requirements

Experience developing and executing campaign goals and training people on goals, strategies, and tactics.
At least 5 years of experience managing people, including experience managing high-performing leadership-level staff.
Ability to develop campaign plans that achieve policy outcomes.
Strong strategic thinking, including setting a team vision, addressing abstract problems, and translating ideas into practical actions.
Ability to deploy resources effectively, explain complex policies in accessible language, and incorporate outside perspectives.
Demonstrable understanding of racial equity, structural racism, and their relevance to environmental policy.
Understanding of how one’s own identities influence policy work.
Experience building relationships where little or no trust exists and building relationships across different social identities.
Strong collaboration skills across departments and in complex, mission-driven environments.
Ability to clarify roles and decision-making, navigate tensions empathetically, and foster trust, accountability, and shared ownership.
Emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, conflict resolution, empathy, and intrinsic motivation.
Adaptability in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles, with a willingness to learn and improve.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and engage in political work.

Nice To Haves

Spanish/English bilingual skills are valued but not required.

Responsibilities

Build and manage strong policy and political teams and systems for collaboration across departments.
Lead the development and management of multi-year program plans and effective campaign plans.
Work with the VP of Community Engagement to ensure community organizing and mobilization influences decision-makers and advances environmental policy, election outcomes, leadership, and movement development.
Work with the CEO and Deputy Vice President for Politics and Programs on political strategy and accountability, and lead a portion of the organization’s electoral work.
Embed equity, racial justice, and other organizational values in programmatic work and help make the conservation movement more racially diverse and inclusive.
Serve as a key programmatic liaison for foundation giving at the direction of the development team.
Oversee day-to-day team activities, including budgeting, planning, and staff development.
Mentor and develop high-level staff using a supportive and collaborative approach.
Set the team’s data framework and use data to inform its work.
Work with the CEO and executive team to set organizational strategy and goals for implementing the strategic plan.
Coordinate or support cross-departmental initiatives to promote alignment, effectiveness, and impact.
Participate in organizational priorities, including certain fundraising efforts, election-related activities, and equity and inclusivity efforts.