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OPEN POSITIONS

Job Title: Director, Center for Natural Resources and Senior Policy Director
Reports To: Vice President of Policy Programs
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 collaborative, dynamic, strategic, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the Director for the Center for Natural Resources and Senior Policy Director. Our work provides non-advocacy support for strategic collaboration on natural resources policy, planning and management. This individual will be responsible for providing leadership and staff management for our work on topics ranging from wildfire and watershed resilience, public and private lands use, conservation and recreation, wildlife and biodiversity, climate impacts, and other topics in natural resources. The position will also require project development, project management, and leading project teams.

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 over 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.

The Director, Center for Natural Resources and Senior Policy Director is a dual role position responsible for leading the Natural Resources team through effective staff management, mentorship, and supervision. In this capacity, the individual will oversee the Center’s annual financial goals and play a significant role in shaping the organization’s near- and long-term vision, strategy, and financial sustainability. In addition to these leadership responsibilities, the individual will serve as a deeply experienced subject matter expert, providing skillful project development, facilitation and substantive leadership for highly complex, sensitive and often high conflict multistakeholder policy efforts. They will be expected to cultivate and leverage extensive professional and funding networks to support the Center’s growth and development. The individual will also represent Keystone externally through conferences, presentations, media engagement, and other public-facing events. This position is intended for individuals who demonstrate exceptional expertise and judgement across all areas of responsibilities and are recognized as leaders in the field.

Center Director

  • Lead, mentor and supervise staff within the Center for Natural Resources, including providing substantive and process guidance and leadership, managing staff capacity and assignments across projects, and supporting staff at all levels (junior to senior) in their career growth.
  • Cultivate and contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented culture.
  • Work with Senior Management and fellow Center Directors in leading the organization.
  • Meet annual financial goals for the Center for Natural Resources as determined by the annual budgeting process.
  • Attend and present to Keystone’s Board of Trustees at board meetings and other relevant gatherings.

Project facilitation and design

  • Develop, design, lead, facilitate and manage highly complexity, sensitive, and often high-conflict projects, including task forces and advisory groups, coalitions, public and community meetings, focus groups, and issue assessments.
  • Lead the integration of technical, scientific and values-based perspectives into complex science and policy discussions, ensuring that diverse information, viewpoints, and stakeholder inputs are effectively incorporated.
  • In addition to directly leading their own projects, the Center Director will play a significant thought leadership and advisory role for other projects involving Center staff.

Project and program strategy and development

  • Provide thought leadership toward Center for Natural Resources program strategy.
  • Lead program and project development efforts for self and the Natural Resources Center and support development efforts of other Centers and staff within the organization.
  • Lead client and participant relations and ensure that projects are implemented effectively and within budget.
  • Manage an annual $1-2m Center budget, with individual fundraising responsibilities contributing significantly toward that budget.

Analysis, documentation, and communication

  • 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 with participants, funders, and leaders in the natural resources field.

Project and program management

  • Oversee project management activities and provide guidance and support to project staff.
  • Effectively delegate project management and coordinating responsibilities to ensure efficient execution of work.
  • Model and mentor effective management practices, anticipating and proactively addressing project management and coordination needs.

QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates with diverse experiences and perspectives are encouraged to apply.

  • Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in natural resources policy or related fields.
  • Proven management skills and experience directly supervising staff, including a minimum of 5 years leading a department or equivalent experience managing 5 or more direct reports.
  • Proven experience and recognized natural resources leadership, particularly in forest and watershed resilience, wildfire, public and private lands, conservation and recreation, climate impacts, and wildlife and biodiversity.
  • Extensive, senior and C-suite level public and private sector natural resources networks, including donor and foundation networks, preferably in Colorado and the Western United States.
  • Proven fundraising and project development, or consulting experience required.
  • Demonstrated external client, stakeholder and funder relationships; written and verbal communications; business development and department budget management.
  • Creative, strategic, and adaptive problem solver with demonstrated experience in generating and leading diverse groups in finding solutions for complex, sensitive, and high-conflict multi-stakeholder problems.

TRAVEL
This position may require up to 25-30% travel throughout the year, within or outside 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 $142,000-$155,000. Actual salary will be commensurate with skills and experience. 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

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. References – Please provide at least three references from current or former employers, or others who can speak to your professional qualifications for this position. Keystone will not accept personal references.

Please submit your application to Sue Wilcox, swilcox@keystone.org by COB September 24, 2026.


Title: Administrative Coordinator
Classification: Full-time, exempt
Reports to: Director for the Center for Education and the Director for Development and Strategic Partnerships
Compensation and Benefits: $55,000 – 62,000 annual salary, depending on skills and experience, in addition to a full suite of benefits. Please note that the indicated salary range describes the full range for an incumbent in this position. Most new staff generally start at the beginning of the range’s percentage to ensure internal salary equity.
Office Location: Denver, Colorado

Summary
The Keystone Policy Center (KPC) has been helping public, private, and civic-sector leaders solve complex problems and advance good public policy since 1975. We rely on our independence, our commitment to good science, and our skills in designing and leading consensus-building processes to establish new partnerships, reduce conflict, and produce policy agreements. Keystone’s home office is in Keystone, Colorado with additional offices in Denver and Washington, DC. This position will be responsible for handling a wide range of programmatic duties that support projects primarily within the Center for Education and the Marketing/Communications and Development team. The ideal candidate is organized, flexible and enjoys the administrative challenges of supporting a variety of efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This position includes a range of duties and responsibilities that support the Keystone Policy Center’s programs and projects.

  • Anticipate and coordinate the logistical needs of various programs and projects to include education projects, energy projects, Keystone’s Board of Trustees and annual fundraiser in Washington DC.
  • Coordinate with other members of each project team to ensure work is tracking with project needs.
  • Assist with tracking, recruiting, and communication with project participants to include drafting correspondence, tracking responses, disseminating information and otherwise serving as a point of contact.
  • Conduct basic research as needed to support the needs of the projects and programs.
  • Coordinate meeting planning logistics; responsibilities include:
  • Negotiating contracts for hotels, catering, meeting space, audio-visual needs, and other details as required for meetings in an efficient manner.
  • Prepare meeting materials.
  • Provide support and coordination for project participants’ travel and other logistical matters.
  • Track and submit expenses.
  • When appropriate, serve as on-site meeting coordinator.
  • Proof, edit, and format documents (letters, marketing materials, meeting summaries, reports, agendas and fact sheets).
  • Serve as notetaker and write meeting summaries.
  • Manage administrative details related to fundraising, including invoicing, tracking funding commitments, sending acknowledgements to funders, and supporting the supervisor with related follow-up as needed.
  • Provide additional administrative support to marketing/communications, development, and the President, as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Strong attention to detail, an aptitude for problem-solving, and excellent organizational skills are essential.
  • Proficiency with related computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Experience with SalesForce is preferred.
  • Ability to convey messages, ideas, and decisions through clear verbal and written communication.
  • Ability to manage time and prioritize work effectively.
  • Experience in an administrative role working with senior leaders, board members, funders, government officials, or other external stakeholders is preferred.
  • Social media experience is preferred.
  • Experience and comfort with various A.I. suites are preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Travel: Some travel is expected and is dependent on event and programmatic needs, including several trips to Washington, DC annually.

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment that requires a certain amount of time working from the office but also allows working from home.

Benefits: Keystone offers the following benefits to full-time employees:

  • Health, dental, vision and other ancillary insurance offerings
  • 401(K) plan
  • Paid vacation
  • Paid sick leave
  • 10 paid holidays

EEO Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender or gender-identity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Application Requirements:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Resume
  3. Writing sample
  4. References – Please provide at least two references from current or former employers or others who can speak to your professional qualifications for this position. Keystone will not accept personal references.

Please submit your application to Sue Wilcox at swilcox@keystone.org and Charles Dukes at cdukes@keystone.org no later than close of business, September 14, 2026.