Executive Director

Executive Director

Supervisor: Board of Directors

Type: Full-time, 40 hours/week, FMLA-exempt

Salary range: $75,000-$80,000

To apply

Send your resume or CV and a one-page cover letter to hiring@sonorandesert.org with the subject line “CSDP Executive Director Application."

Please attach the resume/CV and cover letter as one PDF document. References requested upon interview selection. If you need any special accommodations for the application process, please contact us at (520) 388-9925. Applications will be accepted until August 16, 2026.

*Applications received through Indeed will not be accepted.*

About the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection

The Coalition’s mission is to protect the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona through science-based advocacy, education, and collaboration. We are an alliance of conservation and community organizations that formed in February 1998. Through our Coalition, we work towards a common vision of a community in the Sonoran Desert where ecosystems are healthy, valued, and protected, with benefits for current and future generations.

Position description

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management, ensuring CSDP advances its mission, remains financially sustainable, and operates effectively. As the leader of a small, collaborative team, the Executive Director is both a strategic leader and a working manager, setting organizational direction while remaining actively engaged in programs, advocacy, fundraising, communications, and operations.

The Executive Director serves as the public face of CSDP, building strong relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, coalition members, elected officials, government agencies, land managers, developers, communities, supporters, major donors, and more. Success in this role requires exceptional leadership, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex conservation, land-use, and local government issues while bringing diverse interests together around a shared vision.

CSDP’s current annual budget is just under $500,000, with anticipated growth in the years ahead. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the leadership and management of CSDP’s staff.

Core tasks and areas of responsibility

Organizational leadership

• Manage staff and contractors, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and professional development.
• Maintain and update internal and external policies and procedures, including CSDP’s Employee Handbook.
• Oversee CSDP’s coalition structure and members, including relationships, agreements and contracts, communications, and other elements necessary to maintain a healthy coalition.
• Communicate effectively with the Board.
• Support the Board with organizing meetings, and prepare Board meeting materials.
• Acknowledge and dismantle inequities within CSDP policies, systems, programs, and strategies, while reflecting on lessons learned.
• Foster an organizational culture that embodies CSDP’s core values: collaborative, inclusive, responsible, committed, knowledge-based, results-focused, and inspired.

Financial management

• Develop and manage CSDP’s annual budget.
• Develop and oversee delivery on CSDP’s fundraising strategy, to include related events and communications.
• Develop and lead CSDP’s foundation and major donor relations.
• Monitor and manage CSDP’s organizational finances, including monthly financial statements.
• Oversee banking, accounting, tax compliance, insurance, payroll, benefits, contracts, and regulatory compliance processes and tasks.

Policy, planning, and programs

• Manage CSDP’s Strategic Plan, including regular review and updates.
• Oversee effective implementation and ongoing evaluation of CSDP’s programs.
• Oversee advocacy efforts consistent with CSDP’s priorities.
• Stay informed on relevant and emerging issues.
• Develop a voice for influencing conservation policy and represent CSDP in strategic public forums.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and community partnerships with relevant and diverse stakeholders.
• Oversee CSDP’s communications and strategy, including specific publications, branding, public relations, and media engagement.

Preferred experience and skills

No candidate is expected to bring every skill, experience, or qualification exactly as listed. If this role excites you and you believe you could make a meaningful contribution to CSDP, we encourage you to apply. We value transferable skills, lived experience, and a willingness to learn alongside demonstrated expertise.

We also strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

We are seeking experience and skills that align with the following:

• 10+ years of experience in policy, planning, conservation, advocacy, and/or a related field, with a preference for 5+ years in a management position and direct experience with policy and/or advocacy;
• Experience working for or with a nonprofit, and 2+ years of direct experience with fundraising for nonprofits;
• Experience managing budgets of $500k or more;
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with proven success developing and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, Board members, advisors, donors, partners, volunteers, community members, and senior decisionmakers;
• Working knowledge of local land use policy, environmental regulations, or regional planning processes in Southern Arizona or a similar context;
• Experience with community organizing and with public speaking in a variety of settings;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Practice in applying inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility concepts to ensure the wellbeing of our staff and the communities we serve;
• A strong desire to innovate and explore new strategies;
• Leads with respect and acceptance of difference;
• Competence in MS Office, Adobe, Google Workspace, and other computer software;
• Fluency in Spanish.

Hours, compensation, and benefits

Salary Range: $75,000-$80,000

This is a full-time, 40 hours/week, FMLA-exempt position. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health and dental insurance, paid holidays, paid time off starting at 4 weeks per year, sick and family leave, a generous home office stipend, mileage reimbursement, opportunities for hybrid and remote work, and opportunities for a flexible schedule.

Working conditions

• Irregular work hours, including early morning, evening and weekend events, are expected, and balanced by the ability to self-manage a flexible schedule.
• A hybrid mix of remote work-from-home and working from the CSDP office is available in the Tucson, AZ region. Our office is in the Historic Y Building — shared with other local nonprofits and local businesses — within walking distance of 4th Avenue and the University of Arizona campus. Some field work and outdoor events are expected.
• Physical requirements: must be able to lift 40 lbs. and must be able to access a second floor office by stairs.
• Covid-19 vaccination (including boosters) is highly encouraged for all staff

About the Sonoran Desert and Tucson

The Sonoran Desert is the focus of our work and is an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem due to our weather patterns of having both winter and summer rains. A rich network of local, state, and federally-protected open spaces such as Tucson Mountain Park, Saguaro National Park, Catalina State Park, and the forests of the Santa Catalina Mountains provide ample space for wildlife-watching activities, hiking, mountain biking, and more. Tucson's remarkable weather, desert environment, and nearby national parks and mountain ranges, provide an idyllic living environment. The city’s rich history also shows in our turn-of-the-century architecture, beautiful historic neighborhoods, and abundant museums/galleries. Our offices in The Historic Y building near downtown are an easy walk from many restaurants, concert venues, and other public spaces and close to the city’s network of cycling paths. We are also only a few blocks from the University of Arizona. Tucson and the surrounding communities observe low light pollution rules, meaning you can see the stars clearly from your own backyard.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CSDP is committed to cultivating a culture that values differences and fosters inclusion. Our volunteer, internship, and employment positions are open to all. We value diversity and do not permit any discrimination against applicants, employees, or volunteers based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, neurodiversity, ethnicity, marital status, familial status, economic circumstances, and/or veteran status. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

We are grateful for the opportunity to live and work on traditionally Native lands, including those belonging to the O’odham, Tohono O’odham, and Pascua Yaqui.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Tucson, AZ 85705