Vice President of Policy and Programs

Vice President of Policy and Programs
Remote, Hybrid or Office-Based in AZ, CO, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is seeking a trusted, strategic, and people-centered executive to serve as their next Vice President of Policy and Programs.

Reporting to the President and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the VP will guide WRA’s policy strategy, program alignment, and cross-departmental collaboration. This leader will manage three Program Directors (Clean Energy, Healthy Rivers, and Western Lands) and their teams—collectively representing more than 40 staff across the West. They’ll be instrumental in translating a new strategic plan into action, fostering integrated campaigns, and supporting WRA’s continued organizational growth.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join an organization that has grown from 36 to over 90 staff and from a $4M to $17.5M budget in under a decade, expanding its regional influence and environmental impact.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned policy and advocacy leader with a deep understanding of state-level policy and regulatory processes, a strong record of people and team management, and a commitment to equity and collaboration. They are an excellent communicator, a steady leader through change, and a thought partner to senior leaders, staff, and external partners alike.

This role can be remote, hybrid, or based in one of WRA’s offices in Denver, Boulder, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Santa Fe, or (coming soon) Reno. Regular travel within the region is expected.

Salary: $175,997–$230,000 commensurate with experience + excellent benefits

Who We’re Looking For

WRA is seeking a trusted, strategic, and people-centered leader who brings:

• Deep experience in state-level policy development, advocacy, and implementation
• A strong track record of managing senior staff and high-performing teams
• Emotional intelligence, humility, and a collaborative leadership style
• The ability to navigate organizational growth and lead through change
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and cross-functional alignment

The VP will serve as a key member of WRA’s Executive Leadership Team and will be central in translating a refreshed strategic plan into clear, coordinated action across programs.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and support three Program Directors and their teams (Clean Energy, Healthy Rivers, and Western Lands)
• Ensure programmatic work aligns with WRA’s strategic goals, equity commitments, and policy priorities
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between policy, campaigns, communications, and government affairs
• Help shape and execute multi-state advocacy campaigns and influence regulatory, legislative, and legal outcomes
• Partner with the President and Development Team to translate program impact into compelling fundraising strategies
• Contribute to executive decision-making and organizational strategy

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in nonprofit advocacy, government, or related policy fields
• Experience managing complex teams, with a minimum of 3 direct reports and oversight of 10+ individuals
• Demonstrated policy expertise, ideally in at least one of WRA’s focus areas
• Skilled at organizational leadership, change management, and internal communication
• Comfort with fundraising collaboration, donor engagement, and external representation
• Based in or willing to relocate to WRA’s 7-state region (AZ, CO, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY)