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 and stewardship.

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 SLC’s engagement, communications, and

philanthropic strategy, translating on-the-ground conservation work into meaningful, widely

recognized, and long-term support. The role also serves as a key external representative of the

organization, strengthening visibility, partnerships, and alignment across priority audiences.

The Director supervises the Communications Manager and a contracted grants manager and works

closely with the Executive Director and Director of Finance and Administration on strategy, budgeting,

and reporting.