Vice President, Regional Programs

JOB TITLE: Vice President Regional Programs

POSITION CLASSIFICATION: Vice President

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President Conservation

LOCATION: Remote

SALARY RANGE: $142600-$180000

About American Rivers

American Riversis championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers from remotemountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with cleanabundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years American Rivers staff supporters andpartners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.

The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities including within our organization. The life experiences knowledge innovation and talent that different people bring to our work provides perspectives experiences and competencies which are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers restoring damaged rivers and conserving clean water for people and nature.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Regional Programs will support nine regional directors across the country ensuring that our projects are well coordinated aligned with American Rivers mission and values and that experts on the ground are well supported. American Rivers has grown over the last five years and has instituted operational systems changes and tool deployment to support this growth; this position will support the adoption and refinement of those structures and tools to best achieve our strategic goals. This leader will play a key role in supporting the development of regional councils fostering collaboration implementing the strategic plan and driving fundraising initiatives to enhance organizational impact.

The successful candidate will also serve as a senior manager to the American Rivers Action Fund and help support the development of regional programming.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management:

• Provide strategic direction and support to nine regional directors fostering their development as effective leaders and managers.
• Learn from the success in the regions and support the development of replicable models (policy financial administrative) to be used across the regions and the organization.
• Serve on the organizational program and operations teams to ensure organizational coordination strategic direction and effective collaboration.
• Evaluate and support an efficient and effective structure to facilitate cross-regional collaboration and ample support in accordance with our strategic plan.

Program Development and Coordination:

• Ensure effective communication and coordination across teams and advocate on behalf of regions to implement the organizational strategic plan.
• Support the vetting development and execution of public engagement campaigns.
• Collaborate with internal teams to implement regional initiatives in alignment with national strategies and priorities.
• Develop and coordinate American Rivers Action Fund strategies in coordination with interested staff and partners in regions.

Regional Council and Partner Development:

• Support the growth and functionality of regional councils.
• Ensure councils have tools and operations to serve as strong connectors to the organization and mission.
• Help regional teams foster and advance thoughtful partnerships based in equity and justice to build a river movement that achieves outcomes to protect and restore rivers.

Fundraising and Financial Management:

• Support regional directors in close coordination with advancement fundraising strategies to secure resources for regional programs and cultivating relationships with donors and partners.
• Collaborate with the development team to identify funding opportunities and engage community partners.

Organizational Culture:

• Promote an inclusive environment where staff and volunteers feel valued and empowered to contribute their best.
• Act as a champion for American Rivers values ensuring that all initiatives reflect our commitment to collaboration results equity and justice.

Qualifications

• Proven experience (12-15 years) in a senior leadership role in the nonprofit or environmental sector.
• Exceptional proven management skills of senior-level managers with a track record of developing high-performing remote teams.
• Strong organizational skills capable of managing multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Campaign and public engagement expertise.
• Demonstrated creativity in problem-solving and strategic thinking to drive program success.
• Deep commitment to equity justice and the principles of collaboration and community engagement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills capable of inspiring and building relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• The ability to travel 30-50% of the time.
• Experience with conservation project implementation is a plus.
• Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

Location
This position may be located anywhere in the continental United States. Most of the management team works on East Coast time although staff span the country.

Compensation
American Rivers offers market-competitive compensation that reflects the selected candidates qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $142600-$180000 annually depending on experience and qualifications. We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time regular employees including:

• Health and Wellness: Medical dental vision long-term and short-term disability and life insurance.
• Financial Security: After one year of service American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave eleven paid holidays three floating holidays and sick leave.
• At American Rivers we are committed to supporting our employees well-being professional growth and financial security ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.

Community and Opportunity

• At American Rivers our core values drive everything we do we Lead with Collaboration and Trust Infuse Equity and Justice Deliver Results and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued supported and empowered to make a difference.
• Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings) professional development opportunities a home office stipend and our comprehensive leave policies including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).
• We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group fostering open communication and continuous improvement.
• At American Rivers our people are our strength and we are dedicated to building a thriving inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.
• American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation please contact the Human Resources department at or. Please note that one weeks advance notice is preferred.

Posting for this position will close on March 20 2026.

Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States.

American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity of all personal and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Required Experience:

Exec