Summary
Description
Job Title: Senior Policy Director, Natural Resources
Reports To: Director, Center Director for Natural Resources
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Combination of in person and remote work, with geographic proximity to one of our offices in Denver, CO or Keystone, CO
SUMMARY
Keystone Policy Center is seeking a Senior Policy Director to provide non-advocacy support for strategic collaboration on natural resources policy, planning and management. This position will work on topics of wildfire and watershed resilience, public and private lands, conservation and recreation, wildlife and biodiversity, energy and climate, and other topics in natural resources.
ABOUT KEYSTONE POLICY CENTER
Keystone Policy Center is a non-profit, non-advocacy organization that brings together crucial teams of stakeholders who have diverse individual perspectives but recognize a common need to address urgent issues with lasting solutions. For 50 years, Keystone has helped leaders move beyond fixed positions toward collaborative, action-oriented approaches to problem solving. Keystone has built a portfolio of substantive work in designing effective forums for stakeholders to address complex and often contentious issues in Colorado, throughout the United States, and internationally in the areas of natural resources, agriculture, energy, education, health, and Tribal and Indigenous engagement. We engage participants in producing actionable outcomes. In all our work, we maintain an unwavering commitment to our statement of independence.
Keystone’s Center for Natural Resources fosters the collaborative stewardship of resilient lands, waters, wildlife, ecosystems, and human communities. We catalyze:
- collaboration and engagement of stakeholder and community perspectives;
- inclusion of diverse interests, information, data, and knowledge;
- coordination of federal, state, local, Tribal/Indigenous, private, and NGO natural and cultural resource managers; and
- strategic planning and funding for natural and cultural resource use and management.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Please note that this description is not designed to cover nor contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the position. Specific duties and responsibilities will vary by project.
The Senior Policy Director is a deeply experienced expert in the field providing skillful project development, facilitation and substantive leadership of highly complex, sensitive and often high conflict multistakeholder policy efforts. In addition to project leadership, they contribute significantly to the near- and long-term vision, goals and strategy and financial health of the organization. Senior Policy Directors will represent Keystone externally as speakers at conferences, with press and at other events. This position is for individuals exhibiting mastery and expert judgement surrounding all skills and responsibilities and is recognized as a leader in the field.
Project facilitation and design
- Develop, design, lead, facilitate and manage projects of high complexity/conflict, including task forces and advisory groups, coalitions, public/community meetings, focus groups, and issue assessments.
- Support integration of technical/scientific and values-based/societal information and inputs within complex science/policy discussions.
Project and program strategy and development
- Provide thought leadership toward Center for Natural Resources program strategy.
- Lead program and project development efforts.
- Lead client and participant relations and ensure that projects are implemented effectively and within budget.
- Annual revenue development goal of at least 3x salary.
Analysis, documentation, and communications
- While a Senior Policy Director is often supported by staff responsible for drafting of communications and project documentation, they should demonstrate expert communication and writing skills in developing agendas, work plans, surveys, participant communications, syntheses and analyses of diverse perspectives, consensus recommendations, and final reports.
- Sustain networks and communications participants, funders, and leaders in the natural resources field.
Project management
- Oversee project management and support staff.
- While project management and coordination tasks may be delegated, the Senior Policy Director should model and mentor effective management and anticipate project management and coordination needs.
Supervisory roles
The Senior Policy Director does not have formal supervisory responsibilities within the organization. However, this role will oversee and lead project staff for specific teams and projects, and will serve as an informal mentor to junior staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates with diverse experiences and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
- Minimum of 15 years of professional experience; desired 20+ years professional experience.
- Proven experience and recognized leadership, particularly in wildfire and watershed resilience, public and private lands, conservation and recreation, climate and energy, and wildlife and biodiversity.
- Extensive, senior and C-suite level public and private sector natural resources networks in Colorado, the Western United States, and nationally.
- Proven leadership skills including internal and team management; external client, stakeholder and funder relationships; written and verbal communications; and business development and budget management.
- Creative, strategic, and adaptive problem solver with demonstrated experience in generating and leading diverse groups in finding solutions for complex and high conflict multi-stakeholder problems.
- Comfort with AI tools.
- Multilingual skills, qualitative analysis skills (survey analysis, coding, etc.), understanding and competencies in GIS are a plus.
TRAVEL
This position may require up to 25-30% travel throughout the year, within or out of Colorado, depending on office location and project portfolio.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ADA SPECIFICATIONS
This is a largely sedentary position with minimal physical requirements. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the Senior Policy Director position is $125,000-$145,000. Salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. Keystone Policy Center offers a full suite of benefits including generous sick and vacation leave, as well as health and dental benefits, and a 401k matching program.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
The Keystone Policy Center and Engage are equal opportunity employers. The Keystone Policy Center and Engage prohibit discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, sickle cell trait, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard. Diversity, inclusion, and equity are connected to our mission and are critical to ensure the well-being of our staff and the groups we serve.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)
The Keystone Policy Center and Engage are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities, which includes providing reasonable accommodations where appropriate.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Please submit your application to Sue Wilcox, swilcox@keystone.org by COB December 5:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Writing Sample – Please provide a sample of your writing within the past 12 months that is related to one of Keystone’s natural resources issue areas.
- References – Please provide at least three references from current or former employers, faculty members degree granting institution(s), or others who can speak to your professional qualifications for this position. Keystone will not accept personal references.
