Vice President of Policy and Programs

About

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. They respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Their team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on-the-ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Operating across seven Western states—Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—WRA works to ensure that state and regional policies support a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future for all communities.

With deep expertise, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to results, WRA has helped shape landmark climate and conservation policies that are transforming the West’s energy, water, and land use systems.

The Opportunity

Over the past decade, WRA has expanded from a $3.8 million budget in 2014 to a $17.2 million operation today, growing their team to over 90 professionals and significantly increasing their ability to shape energy, water, and land policy across the Western United States.

The next Vice President of Policy and Programs will play a pivotal role in harnessing this momentum to drive bold, lasting environmental change. With a newly developed strategic plan and an expanding footprint, WRA is poised to make its most significant impact yet—but doing so will require expert leadership, smart strategy, and seamless coordination across teams, advocacy channels, and partnerships.

The Role

Leading a team of three Program Directors that oversee WRA’s Clean Energy, Healthy Rivers, and Western Lands work, and who collectively manage more than 45 staff, the Vice President of Policy and Programs is an executive-level leadership position that plays a key role in developing high-level policies and corresponding strategies that advance an ambitious and focused conservation agenda in the Western United States.

While serving as one of the organization’s senior staff managers and executive-level partners to the organization’s President, the Vice President of Policy and Programs brings a policy focus to the development of multi-faceted advocacy plans that leverage changes in clean energy, healthy rivers, and Western lands policy throughout WRA’s seven-state region. The Vice President builds internal collaboration and consistency across WRA’s programs to ensure alignment with long-term goals; fosters effective policy engagement; and, with other senior leaders, cultivates an inclusive climate that promotes excellence and a supportive culture.

This role is ideal for a strategic, action-oriented, people-first leader who thrives at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and organizational leadership.

Strategic Leadership & Policy Execution

• Work closely with Program Directors, the Vice President of Campaigns & Political Strategy, and the Executive Leadership Team to ensure policy solutions are politically viable, scientifically grounded, and effectively communicated.
• Develop and drive WRA’s policy vision, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and mission.
• Lead the design and execution of high-impact policy and advocacy plans that influence key decision-makers across WRA’s seven-state region.
• Identify and prioritize emerging policy opportunities, balancing proactive leadership with responsiveness to shifting political landscapes.

People & Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and support three Program Directors who oversee 45+ staff, fostering an environment of high performance, accountability, and professional growth.
• Establish clear goal-setting frameworks and accountability structures, ensuring teams work cohesively and effectively.
• Foster collaboration across policy, advocacy, and communications teams, ensuring cross-functional alignment and shared success.
• Model strong leadership, emotional intelligence, and transparent decision-making, helping to cultivate a workplace culture where staff feel valued and empowered.
• Foster strong communication between leadership and staff, ensuring cohesive culture.

Cross-Team Integration & Change Leadership

• Ensure internal structures and systems evolve to meet the needs of a growing organization and expanding team.
• Partner with the Vice President of People, Equity & Culture to ensure WRA’s values of inclusion, collaboration, and equity are embedded in programmatic work.
• Implement best practices for scaling a regional organization, ensuring policies, processes, and staff development keep pace with WRA’s increasing influence.
• Strengthen coordination between policy, government affairs, and communications teams, resolving tensions around ownership and execution of advocacy campaigns.

Advocacy, Partnerships & External Influence

• Represent WRA as a thought leader, engaging directly with policymakers, regulatory agencies, advocacy partners, and funders.
• Expand and strengthen strategic partnerships, ensuring WRA maintains and builds relationships that amplify its policy impact.
• Partner with the Vice President of Campaigns & Political Strategy to ensure that policy priorities are supported by strong advocacy, legislative, and communications strategies.
• Ensure WRA has a strong policy voice within conservation coalitions, shaping regional and national policy conversations.

Fundraising

• Partner with the President and Development Team to craft compelling fundraising strategies aligned with WRA’s policy impact and programmatic priorities.
• Translate policy successes into funding opportunities, securing support from foundations, major donors, and institutional funders.
• Play a key role in donor engagement, participating in fundraising meetings, strategy sessions, and communications.
• Support Program Directors in aligning policy initiatives with fundraising needs.
• Effectively communicate WRA’s impact to funders, ensuring long-term investment.

Strategic Mission Leadership & Vision

• Define, develop, and execute a bold strategic vision for WRA’s policy and advocacy work.
• Align programmatic efforts with emerging policy opportunities and the evolving regional landscape to drive measurable impact.
• Adapt strategies to secure lasting conservation and climate solutions in complex environments.
• Translate big-picture vision into actionable strategies that keep WRA at the forefront of climate and conservation policy.

People, Team, and Change Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams with coaching and leadership growth opportunities.
• Establish clear goals, accountability structures, and alignment across teams.
• Navigate organizational growth and change while maintaining WRA’s mission-driven culture.

Policy and Advocacy Expertise

• Deep understanding of state-level policy development and advocacy strategies in WRA’s seven-state region.
• Proven ability to design and execute multi-state advocacy campaigns and influence policy outcomes.
• Integrate policy, advocacy, and communications strategies for effective impact.
• Build and lead coalitions that amplify WRA’s influence.
• Operationalize strategy with clear execution pathways and accountability.
• Balance structure with flexibility for efficient impact.
• Communicate with transparency and clarity.

External Influence & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build relationships with policymakers, funders, and advocacy partners.
• Engage in high-level advocacy and shape regional policy conversations.
• Work with the President and Development Team on fundraising strategies.
• Represent WRA as a thought leader at regional and national levels.
• Engage major donors and foundations to support WRA’s programs.

Experience & Desired Qualifications

• 10+ years in environmental policy, advocacy, or related fields.
• Experience leading large teams or departments.
• Track record of achieving major policy wins.
• Familiarity with Western U.S. policy landscapes.
• Passion for WRA’s mission to fight climate change.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and positive culture.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $175,997 to $230,000, depending on experience.
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401K with up to 5% employer match.
• 16 paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Vacation, sick leave, and one volunteer day.
• Paid sabbatical leave after five years.
• Parental, family, and medical leave.
• Flexible/hybrid/in-person/remote options within WRA’s seven-state region.

Location & Travel

• Remote, in-person, or hybrid within AZ, CO, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY.
• Offices in Boulder, Denver, Phoenix, Reno, Salt Lake City, and Santa Fe.
• Travel required (~15-25%) for meetings and engagements.
• Proximity to a major airport required.

How to Apply

WRA is committed to diversity, inclusion, and support in the workplace. Studies show women and people of color may hesitate to apply unless they meet all qualifications—if your experience aligns, please apply.

To apply, submit your resume and cover letter outlining your experience and interest. Kara Teising and her team at Calibrated Search are managing this confidential hiring process. To express interest, share your materials here.

For nominations or questions, email [email protected] with “WRA Vice President of Policy and Programs Search” in the subject line.

Timeline

Calibrated Search aims to present a candidate shortlist the week of May 26, 2025. Interviews begin in early June with a target selection by mid-July. The intended start date is August 2025.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate based on any protected status. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities will be provided upon request.