How to apply for Sr. Conservation Manager, Conservation Campaigns

About The Wilderness Society

The Wilderness Society is a legacy conservation organization founded in 1935, with a mission to unite people to protect America’s wild places. It leverages science, advocacy, and community partnerships to safeguard public lands, and has made a strong organizational commitment to equity and inclusion in its conservation work. Working here means joining a passionate, mission-driven team that values collaboration, accountability, and expanding access to nature for all.

About the role

As Sr. Conservation Manager, Conservation Campaigns, you will report to the National Campaign Director and lead the development and execution of national and regional conservation campaigns. You will build and manage coalitions, engage with policymakers and the media, and coordinate with internal programs to advance protections for public lands. This role is critical for translating TWS’s equity and accessibility commitments into campaign strategies that reflect diverse partnerships and community needs.

A typical day

A typical day might involve a morning call with coalition partners to coordinate a campaign push, followed by drafting outreach materials or a press release. You could then meet with internal teams to align on strategy, and in the afternoon, represent TWS in a meeting with agency officials or legislative staff. You might end the day reviewing campaign metrics and adjusting plans to ensure equity and inclusion goals are met.

Who The Wilderness Society is looking for

• 5+ years of experience in conservation or environmental campaign management, with a track record of leading multi-stakeholder coalitions and policy advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with diverse communities, elected officials, agency staff, and grassroots groups, especially those historically underrepresented in conservation.
• Strong strategic planning skills, including campaign design, outreach, communications, and evaluation, with the ability to manage multiple projects across geographies.
• Experience representing an organization in media, public forums, and coalition settings, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive, accountable team culture.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific campaigns you’ve led that involved coalition building and policy change—quantify outcomes like acres protected, policies passed, or partnerships formed.
• Show your commitment to equity and inclusion in conservation by describing how you’ve engaged marginalized communities or addressed accessibility in your past work.
• Tailor your resume to emphasize remote collaboration and cross-functional teamwork, since this role works across programs and regions.
• Mention any experience with public lands policy, federal agencies (e.g., BLM, USFS, NPS), or legislative advocacy, as TWS frequently engages with these entities.
• Use your cover letter to connect your personal passion for wild places to TWS’s mission and explain why you want to work specifically for The Wilderness Society rather than a generic environmental organization.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: 1) A specific example of a conservation campaign you managed from planning to execution, including coalition partners and policy outcomes. 2) How you have integrated equity and inclusion into campaign strategies, with concrete actions. 3) Your experience representing an organization in media and with decision-makers. 4) Why TWS’s mission and its commitment to fairness, representation, and accessibility resonate with you personally and professionally.

Research before applying

• Explore The Wilderness Society’s recent campaigns and policy wins (e.g., public lands protections, climate resilience) to understand their current priorities and how this role fits in.
• Read TWS’s statements and reports on equity and inclusion in conservation to align your language and examples with their framework.
• Research key public lands issues and legislation currently in the news, such as the Antiquities Act, roadless rule, or LWCF funding, to speak knowledgeably in interviews.
• Learn about TWS’s organizational structure and key programs (e.g., climate, wildlife, community-led conservation) to understand cross-program collaboration.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a time you built a coalition to advance a conservation goal. How did you engage diverse partners and handle conflicting interests?
• How would you approach developing a campaign that balances national priorities with local community needs, especially in underrepresented areas?
• Tell us about your experience working with federal agencies or elected officials on public lands issues. What strategies were most effective?
• How do you ensure that equity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but are embedded in campaign planning and execution?
• This role reports to the National Campaign Director and works across programs. How do you manage up and collaborate with multiple teams to achieve shared outcomes?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid generic language about 'saving the environment' without connecting it to TWS’s specific mission and campaign approach.
• Don’t overlook the equity and inclusion aspect—failing to address it will signal a lack of fit with TWS’s core commitment.
• Avoid focusing only on national-level advocacy; TWS values community partnerships and on-the-ground engagement, so show you can work at both levels.