Description

About Western Landowners Alliance (WLA): Founded in 2012 by landowners and managers, the organization aims to increase the wellbeing of working lands in the American West and the living communities, including human and wildlife, that depend on them. 

Position Overview: The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a senior executive leader responsible for advancing the mission of Western Landowners Alliance through philanthropic revenue generation, strategic marketing and public relations. The CAO leads the strategy and execution of a diversified, values-aligned fundraising, marketing and communications program that advances WLA’s mission to sustain working lands, promote land stewardship, and strengthen communities and landscapes across the American West.

This role is accountable for building and managing a robust philanthropic revenue portfolio that includes annual, multi-year, and transformational funding sources. Additionally, the CAO oversees marketing, brand strategy, media relations, communications, and stakeholder engagement to elevate WLA’s presence and influence. The CAO plays a critical role in amplifying WLA’s mission and programs, ensuring clear, consistent, and compelling messaging that resonates with diverse audiences, including donors, policy makers, members, and partners. 

Amount of Time & Status: 40 hours a week, exempt, Monday-Friday

Location: This position is remote, but individuals must be located in the West. Periodic travel will be required. 

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer  

Direct Reports: Communications Director, Development Director 

Compensation: $115,000 to $140,000. Salary is commensurate with experience. Western Landowners Alliance offers comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, parental leave, medical leave, 403b retirement savings account with a discretionary match, life insurance, short and long-term disability benefits, and an employee assistance program.

Requirements

Duties/Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as a key member of the executive team, actively contributing to organizational strategy.
• Develop and lead WLA’s advancement strategy, integrating philanthropic revenue, marketing, and communications with organizational priorities.
• Provide overall leadership and accountability for fundraising, ensuring achievement of revenue goals through a diversified portfolio of annual, multi-year, and transformational funding from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government grants and contracts.
• Lead marketing and public relations strategy to expand WLA’s visibility, influence, and audience engagement.
• Oversee brand positioning, media relations, campaigns, and external communications to strengthen WLA’s reputation and attract donors, partners, and members.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major funders; personally manage a portfolio of high-impact donor relationships.
• Partner closely with the CEO and development team to design and execute a sustainable major gifts strategy and strengthen engagement with top prospects and supporters.
• Define and lead the long-term strategy for major fundraising initiatives, including campaigns, planned giving, and the creation of an endowment. 
• Track, analyze, and report fundraising performance, trends, opportunities, and risks to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Engage and support Board members in fundraising and ambassador roles, particularly in elevating WLA’s visibility and external relationships. 
• Guide messaging and stakeholder engagement strategies that authentically center landowners and land managers to elevate the voice of American stewardship. 
• Use data and analytics to inform fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies, evaluate performance, and drive continuous improvement. 
• Serve as a visible and credible representative of WLA, providing strategic counsel on public positioning, reputational risk, and emerging issues, and acting as a spokesperson or overseeing media engagement as appropriate.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing advancement team culture grounded in accountability, innovation, and connection to mission and impact.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role with budget and supervisory responsibility.
• Deep experience developing major and principal gift programs, including capital and/or endowment campaigns and the systems that support them.
• Strong strategic communications skills, with the ability to translate complex programs, policy, and field-based work into clear, compelling narratives that advance mission impact, fundraising, and public positioning.
• Proven experience developing and managing integrated advancement strategies, aligning philanthropic revenue generation with communications, marketing, and program delivery.
• Data-informed decision-maker, with experience using analytics to evaluate communications and fundraising performance and drive continuous improvement. 
• Track record of building and managing high-performing teams, including direct supervision of senior leaders and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience working closely with executive leadership and Board of Directors, including advising on public positioning, reputational risk, and external communications. 
• A collaborative, adaptive leader who respects and advances WLA’s mission, values, and community-centered approach.
• High emotional intelligence and skill in navigating complex internal and external relationships.
• Background in conservation, agriculture, land stewardship, natural resources, or environmental policy, particularly within the American West.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the presence and judgement required to represent the organization with credibility to funders, policy makers, partners, and the media.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

Working Environment/Physical Activities: Work environment is an office setting with occasional field visits. Physical activities include sitting at a desk and working on a keyboard and computer several hours a day; conducting business over the telephone and via email; standing for long periods of time; periodic travel and traveling by plane and long distances by vehicles (including traveling on unpaved roads) This position may also require moving agency materials up to 25 pounds. This position requires the ability to facilitate meetings and interface professionally with the public.

Application Procedure: Please submit your resume and cover letter (required) via our website. Please, no phone calls. Western Landowners Alliance values diversity and inclusivity and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all team members regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or political affiliation. We encourage all qualified and interested candidates to apply.
 

Target start date: Immediately. Preference will be given to applications received by April 20, 2026.