Summary
Description
About CCALT
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2025, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is recognized for excellence and innovation in delivering conservation solutions for Colorado’s working lands. It is our mission to conserve Colorado’s Western heritage and working landscapes for the benefit of future generations. To date, our work has permanently conserved more than 810,000 acres of open space, natural habitat, and productive agricultural land across Colorado. CCALT is an organization that embraces change and leads the industry in the development of innovative programs and strategic partnerships that expand the impact of our work with landowner-partners.
Summary of Position:
The Manager of External Relations is responsible for leading CCALT’s fundraising and outreach activities in Northwest Colorado (principally Routt County, Moffat County, and nearby locations) across the following areas:
- Philanthropic Giving and Resource Generation
- Community Partnerships and Events
- Strategic Communications
In addition, the incumbent will support the Director of External Relations in advancing CCALT’s broader statewide objectives related to fundraising and brand development while increasing awareness and support for working lands conservation in Colorado and beyond.
Responsibilities:
Philanthropic Giving and Resource Generation (70%)
Oversee the development and implementation of CCALT’s regional fundraising and donor relations strategies, with a primary focus on Northwest Colorado. This includes annual giving, planned giving, campaign development and management, and corporate partnerships.
The Manager of External Relations will manage and maintain a designated donor portfolio while working in close coordination with the Director of External Relations, to whom this position reports, in identifying new donor prospects and stewarding existing donors. The Manager of External Relations will also coordinate efforts with the Executive Director, other CCALT staff members, the CCALT Advancement Committee and Board of Directors on donor visits and other opportunities for donor engagement.
The Manager of External Relations will be responsible for the planning and execution of designated fundraising campaigns, including: CCALT Annual / Fall Appeal, CCALT Spring Appeal, and Colorado Gives Day. The incumbent will also identify opportunities for additional / new fundraising campaigns and manage those campaigns.
Community Partnerships and Events (10%)
Oversee the development and implementation of CCALT’s community outreach strategy, with a primary focus on Northwest Colorado. This will include the management of events in coordination with the Events and Fundraising Coordinator and the development of relationships with strategic partners based in Northwest Colorado. The Manager of External Relations is expected to participate in regional working groups and attend relevant meetings, networking events, and other events hosted by industry partners.
Strategic Communications (10%)
The regional office provides CCALT with an opportunity to keep a pulse on the communities and current events of Northwest Colorado, allowing for more informed engagement and response. The Manager of External Relations will support the Communications Manager in the development and implementation of the Northwest Colorado communications strategy and ensure it is aligned with CCALT’s broader organizational communications strategies. Communications include print, direct mail, web, and social media content. The Manager of External Relations will also be responsible for developing relationships with local media and coordinating with the Communications Manager, Director of External Relations, and Executive Director on organizational responses to local media inquiries and issues of significance.
Leadership and Governance (5%)
The Manager of External Relations will support the Director of External Relations in managing the activities of the Advancement Committee.
Administrative Responsibilities (5%)
The Manager of External Relations will support office administration and other related duties connected to operations in the Steamboat Springs office.
Required Skills:
- Philanthropic Giving and Resource Generation – an understanding of effective philanthropic giving strategies, along with confidence and comfort in soliciting gifts for fundraising purposes.
- Campaign Management – an understanding of how to effectively design and manage successful fundraising campaigns.
- Support – ability to support the Director of External Relations and Executive Director in implementing the strategic plan that advances the mission of CCALT and achieves the strategic goals of the External Relations Department, Advancement Committee, and Board of Directors.
- Relationship Management – ability to successfully build and maintain effective working relationships with landowners, donors, community partners, staff members, Committee members, and Board members.
- Teamwork – understanding and appreciation of the importance of teamwork and willingness to pitch in as / where needed, even if it is not specifically within the job description. Comfort working independently in a satellite office environment, but in full alignment with team members based in other locations.
- Cultural Awareness – willingness to embrace, support, and advance the organizational culture of CCALT as defined through its RISE principles: Responsibility, Integrity, Synergy, Empowerment.
- Strategic Thinking – ability to develop and implement effective strategies for fundraising, outreach, and strategic communications in Northwest Colorado that are aligned with CCALT’s
- wider organizational strategies.
- Creativity – ability to think outside the box and challenge the status quo.
- Innovative – ability to develop new fundraising, outreach, and communications strategies and campaigns.
- Problem Solving – ability to solve complex, multidimensional problems.
- Resiliency – confidence and determination necessary to quickly bounce back from setbacks or adversity.
- Accuracy – ability to manage projects with accuracy, attention to detail, and adherence to deadlines.
- Communication skills – ability to write and communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences across multiple platforms.
- Passion – ability to passionately convey the key messages, objectives, and goals of CCALT to stakeholders and partners.
- Active Learning – interest in continually expanding knowledge base and professional skills.
- Adaptable – ability and willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary and Benefits: Range: $60,000-$65,000 (based on experience); this position is eligible to participate in CCALT’s annual incentive pay plan, where the amount of incentive pay varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program; flexible work environment; paid time off; retirement plan, employee health insurance (dental and vision insurance available at a cost to the employee).
Employment Type: Full-Time
Employment Classification: Exempt
Reporting:
This position reports to the Director of External Relations.
Location:
This position is based at the CCALT office in Steamboat Springs. The incumbent will be expected to periodically travel to Denver for meetings and other engagements at the CCALT Headquarters, as well as to other parts of Colorado for fundraising and outreach activities. This is a hybrid role.
Minimum Requirements:
- 1-3 years of successful fundraising and/or strategic communications experience. Demonstrated understanding of effective philanthropic giving strategies and track record of success in resource generation.
- Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Salesforce, Adobe, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Able to travel regularly, including overnight and multi-day travel.
- Tactful, possessing ability to work with high degree of personal and professional initiative and maintain confidentiality. Personal reliability and regular attendance is essential.
- Comfort working independently in a satellite office environment, but in full alignment with team members in other locations.
- Knowledge, appreciation, and respect for the people and values of rural Colorado; in particular, Northwest Colorado. Familiarity and/or interest in agricultural issues is preferred.
To Apply:
Please email your cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least two references in ONE document with “Manager of External Relations" in the subject line to Haden Cuningham at haden@ccalt.org. The application period for this position closes at 5:00 p.m. MT on Friday, August 22, 2025. This position has an anticipated start date of late September / early October 2025.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
- CCALT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are evaluated for the positions they apply for without discrimination based on gender identity or expression, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, or other characteristics protected by law. CCALT will provide accommodation for individuals with disabilities during the interview process. For assistance, please call (303)-225-8677 or email Haden Cunningham at haden@ccalt.org.
