Director of Engagement
About the Santa Lucia Conservancy
The Santa Lucia Conservancy (SLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1995 to protect and steward in perpetuity the unique natural, cultural, and aesthetic values of the 20,000-acre Santa Lucia Preserve (Preserve) and to serve as a model of ecologically sustainable development to communities outside of the Preserve. Located in Carmel Valley, CA, approximately 90% of the Preserve—18,000 acres—is permanently protected through SLC ownership and conservation easements.
Born from a visionary “conservation community” concept, SLC accomplishes its mission through adaptive land management, conservation easement stewardship, ecological research, environmental education, and community engagement. Working in close partnership with Preserve residents, regional agencies, and academic institutions, SLC is helping address some of California’s most urgent challenges at the intersection of biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and community stewardship.
Position Summary
This is a rare opportunity to work with a dynamic team to help shape how people connect to and invest in one of California’s most innovative conservation models at the intersection of science, stewardship, and community.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director leads integration of community engagement, communications and messaging, and donor outreach and stewardship systems across the organization. The role helps strengthen how the Conservancy communicates its mission, engages its community, and builds long-term organizational support.
The Director supervises the Communications Manager and a contracted grants manager and collaborates closely with the Executive Director and Director of Finance and Administration on outreach strategy, fundraising efforts, budgeting, and reporting. This position also is the lead staff person for the Board Communications Committee.
What Success Looks Like (12–24 Months)
• A clear, consistently executed brand that positions SLC as a regional leader in conservation living, wildfire resilience, and biodiversity conservation
• Increased visibility and audience engagement across key channels, with measurable growth in participation and reach
• Compelling, accessible storytelling that translates SLC’s work into clear public impact
• High-quality events and experiences that strengthen connection, reinforce brand, and drive philanthropy
• A growing and diversified philanthropic pipeline fueled by stronger messaging and engagement
• Aligned, organization-wide outreach with consistent messaging and shared priorities
Primary Responsibilities
Community Engagement & Outreach (40%)
• Develop and oversee events, field experiences, educational programs, and outreach initiatives that strengthen relationships with Preserve residents, donors, agencies, community leaders, and partner organizations
• Support the Executive Director’s external engagement efforts through outreach planning, relationship stewardship, and strategic follow-up
• Track participation and engagement metrics to improve outreach effectiveness
Communications & Messaging (30%)
• Develop and lead implementation of communications strategies in collaboration with the Communications Manager and Board Communications Committee.
• Steward the Conservancy’s messaging, voice, and identity across communications platforms
• Ensure communications are clear, consistent, and aligned across digital, print, events, and media outreach
• Guide storytelling that translates stewardship, conservation science, and wildfire resilience work into meaningful public understanding
• Oversee communications calendars, newsletters, outreach materials, campaigns, and engagement content
• Track communications performance metrics including audience reach and engagement
Philanthropy & Revenue Generation (25%)
• Support donor engagement and fundraising efforts in partnership with the Executive Director
• Oversee donor stewardship systems, outreach workflows, relationship tracking, and reporting
• Manage donor records and communications using Little Green Light CRM
• Lead coordination of annual appeals, donor events, stewardship communications, and related outreach efforts
• Support grant coordination and fundraising initiatives with staff and contractors
Staff Leadership & Development (5%)
• Provide leadership and support to communications, outreach, and fundraising staff and contractors
• Foster collaboration across stewardship, science, outreach, development, and finance teams
• Promote organizational understanding of how engagement, communications, and donor stewardship support the Conservancy’s mission
Qualifications
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or community engagement
• Demonstrated success cultivating and stewarding philanthropic support, including major gifts
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse audiences
• Experience integrating communications, storytelling, and fundraising strategies
• Proven ability to lead events, campaigns, or engagement initiatives that drive measurable results
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, including team supervision and cross-functional collaboration
• Familiarity with conservation, environmental education, or land management is preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $140,000, commensurate with experience.
SLC offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, an FSA, life insurance, a 401(k) with up to a 6% employer match, 12 paid holidays, vacation, and paid sick leave.
How to Apply
Please submit your application with “Director of Engagement” in the subject line to: Angela Padilla at [email protected]. Applications should include the following PDF attachments:
• Cover letter
• Resume outlining education and experience
No phone calls, walk-ins, or recruiter inquiries, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.