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Description

I.                 PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Sonoran Institute's mission is to connect people and communities with the natural resources that nourish and sustain them. We envision resilient and sustainable communities living in harmony with the natural world, where flowing rivers and healthy landscapes enable all people and nature to thrive. Our work transcends borders, bringing together diverse communities to promote civil dialogue about complex conservation issues that know no boundaries. All aspects of our work are guided by inclusivity and collaboration to create positive environmental change in the western United States and northwestern Mexico.

The Colorado River basin will continue to experience more severe water shortages due to climate change and increased growth, which will require that communities use less water and approach water holistically if they wish to continue to prosper while the natural world also continues to thrive. Sonoran Institute's "Growing Water Smart" (GWS) program trains and assists communities in ensuring that land-use planning, which largely determines future water demand related to urban growth and development, accounts for future water conditions and makes the most strategic and equitable use of available water.  The program promotes state and local policies that more widely integrate water and land use planning across the basin. The program currently operates in Colorado, Arizona, California, and along the US-MX border.

II.               GENERAL ROLE OF POSITION

The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, implementation, and long-term success of the Growing Water Smart (GWS) program, which advances integrated water and land use planning throughout the Colorado River Basin and the U.S.-Mexico border region. The Director provides leadership for program planning, implementation, financial stewardship, fundraising, partnership development, and staff supervision to ensure the program achieves its strategic objectives and complies with organizational policies, grant requirements, and contractual obligations.

The Director leads the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the Growing Water Smart program, including workshops, technical assistance, and related initiatives. The Director serves as the primary representative for the program, cultivates and maintains strategic relationships with funders and partners, and promotes opportunities that strengthen and grow the program's impact.

The Director reports to the Senior Director of Programs and supervises assigned program staff. As organizational priorities and program activities evolve, supervisory responsibilities may expand. The Director serves as a member of the Sonoran Institute Leadership Team, collaborating with organizational leadership to advance the Institute's mission and strategic priorities.

III. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Development and Implementation - 55%

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive multi-year program plan, periodically reviewing and updating it as needed in consultation with the Executive Team, Leadership Team, and Board of Directors.
• Lead the implementation of the technical and financial aspects of the program plan, including preparation of annual program plans, reports, and budgets.
• Ensure the program operates within approved budgets by monitoring expenditures, identifying funding needs, and implementing strategies to address budget variances through cost management and fundraising efforts.
• Direct the development and delivery of workshops, technical assistance, program evaluation, and related initiatives using staff and consultants, as appropriate. 
• Identify, evaluate, and implement research, best practices, and innovative approaches that strengthen the program and advance integrated water and land use planning.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic partnerships with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, tribal communities, funders, and other organizations critical to advancing the program.
• Develop and approve program communications and outreach materials prior to submission to the Marketing and Communications team, ensuring consistency with organizational messaging and program objectives.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies that elevate the visibility and impact of the program among partners, decision-makers, funders, and the public, serving as the primary spokesperson for the program.
• Promote and advance policies, practices, and collaborative approaches that support integrated water and land use planning and further the mission and strategic objectives of the program. 

Program Management - 25%

• Develop and maintain program budgets; review financial reports; complete purchase orders, employee reimbursements, and other payment requests in a timely manner; and monitor financial performance to ensure expenditures remain within approved budgets.
• Hire, supervise, and develop program staff; oversee development of individual work plans; conduct annual performance evaluations; and provide mentoring, guidance, coaching, and professional development.
• Review and approve all program vendor contracts, collaboration agreements, and grant agreements prior to submission to the Senior Director of Programs and the CFAO for final approval.
• Direct and oversee the work of consultants and contractors to ensure services are delivered in accordance with approved scopes of work and project deliverables are completed in a timely manner.
• Ensure program activities comply with grant requirements, contractual obligations, organizational policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key program funders, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and other partners essential to advancing the program.

Fundraising - 15%

• Lead the program's fundraising and resource development efforts by identifying funding opportunities, cultivating relationships with institutional donors, preparing grant proposals, reports, and donor communications, and coordinating fundraising activities with the Senior Director of Programs and the Senior Director of Development and Marketing. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with private, government, corporate, and foundation donors and funding partners.
• Partner with the Development team in the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts from individual donors for the program and the organization as a whole, in coordination with the Senior Director of Programs.

Institutional Leadership - 5%

• Attend Board of Directors meetings as requested; present program priorities, accomplishments, and strategic initiatives; and participate in discussions regarding organizational priorities and governance matters.
• Contribute to organizational decision-making; facilitate information sharing and collaboration across programs; and model behavior consistent with the organization's mission, values, and code of conduct.
• Serve as an active member of the organization's Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, organizational decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Prepare and deliver written and verbal program updates, reports, and presentations to the Executive Team, Board of Directors, committees, funders, and other stakeholders, as requested.
• Maintain a strong understanding of emerging issues, trends, policies, and opportunities affecting integrated water and land use planning throughout the program service area to identify opportunities that advance both the program and the organization's mission.

Requirements

IV.                 DECISION-MAKING AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITYDecision-Making/Consequence of Error: The Director will be expected to demonstrate independent judgment in directing the program, using professional best practices and the principles and values of the Sonoran Institute as the foundation for decision-making.
Decisions impacting the program will be the responsibility of the Director, in consultation with the Senior Director of Programs, as appropriate. 

Decisions that materially impact the organization's operations, reputation, legal obligations, or financial interests of the Sonoran Institute will be made in consultation with the Senior Director of Programs and other organizational leadership, as appropriate.

 

Supervisory Responsibility: This position supervises and monitors the performance of assigned employees. Supervisory responsibilities include hiring, onboarding, coaching, disciplinary actions, assigning and monitoring work, scheduling and timekeeping, conducting performance evaluations, supporting employee development, and recommending personnel actions consistent with organizational policies.

Nature of Supervision Received: The Director receives general direction and strategic guidance from the Senior Director of Programs and other senior staff, as appropriate. Regular meetings occur at least twice monthly to discuss program priorities, organizational initiatives, and performance. Program performance is reviewed periodically in consultation with senior leadership, with formal performance evaluations conducted at least annually.

 

Representation and Public Contact:  The Director regularly interacts in public and private settings with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local government representatives; community leaders; nonprofit organizations; academic institutions; funders; consultants; and other strategic partners. The Director represents the program and the Sonoran Institute through public presentations, meetings, conferences, workshops, and other professional engagements.

V.               QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced degree in natural resource management, water resources, urban or regional planning, environmental policy, public policy, climate science, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in natural resources, water resources, planning, conservation, or related fields, including program or project management.
• Previous experience leading and supervising professional staff, consultants, and multidisciplinary teams is preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and information to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and program management skills.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Demonstrated success securing grants or other funding from foundations, government agencies, corporations, or individual donors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid driver's license.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including throughout the United States and Mexico, as required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and able to maintain authorization throughout employment without current or future employer sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional proficiency in spoken Spanish.
• Experience with training, public process design, stakeholder engagement, or outreach.
• Experience with research and analysis relevant to planning, development, resource management and policy.
• Demonstrated understanding of the relationship between urban and regional planning, economic development, and natural resource conservation, including applicable policies and best practices.
• Understanding of natural resource planning and conservation issues, and best practices.
• Experience using project management, collaboration, data visualization, or presentation software.

Leadership Competencies

• Accountability
• Change Management
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Equity and Inclusion
• Financial Stewardship
• Relationship Building
• Sound Judgment
• Staff Leadership and Coaching
• Strategic Thinking

VI.          PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT OF THIS POSITION

Remote Work Environment: This position may be performed in a remote work environment or a traditional office setting. Employees working remotely are responsible for maintaining an appropriate workspace that supports the effective performance of assigned duties. 

Office Work Environment: The employee typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. The incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle, or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up-to 20 pounds.

Employees may be assigned other duties reasonably related to this position and consistent with organizational needs. Employees are expected to follow all reasonable job-related instructions and perform other duties as assigned by their supervisor. This position description is intended to describe the general nature and essential functions of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement and may be modified by the Sonoran Institute at any time to meet organizational needs.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

As an organization that values equity and social justice, Sonoran Institute strives to be a place where all feel welcome, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. We strive to champion social justice initiatives, advocate for our communities, and continue to grow as an organization and as individuals. It is our diverse co...