Title: Senior Manager of Programs (Preserve Team) 

Reports to: Director of Programs 

Supervises: Grants Coordinator; Program Coordinator 

Location: Bay Area, CA – hybrid (occasional statewide travel) 

Job type: Full-time, exempt 

Annual Compensation: $99,188 - 114,667 

Job Close Date:  Applicants are encouraged to apply by November 30, 2026 to ensure priority consideration of their application. We may continue to review applications on a rolling basis after this priority deadline until the position is filled.  

Mission: Protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all. 

Vision: Californians have a state park system that is accessible and relevant, adequately and sustainably funded, and stewarded for future generations. 

Job description 

The Senior Program Manager (Preserve) leads California State Parks Foundation's Preserve pillar: the grantmaking, endowments, designated funds, fiscal sponsorships and donations that invest directly in California's state parks. The role also leads the team's statewide Connect programs: California State Parks Week, the Coastal Cleanup Day fiscal sponsorship, and Park Pass program support. The Senior Manager is responsible for the areas annual budget, workplans, KPIs and team, and is CSPF's primary representative to state park staff and partners for this work. 

Working closely with the Director of Programs, Development, Finance, and Marketing and Communications, the Senior Manager turns field results into model solutions, donor investment, compelling storytelling and policy insight under CSPF's Theory of Change (Learn, Educate, Activate, Influence). The role builds and develops the team, ensures the Preserve Manual and SOPs are followed and improved, and positions the pillar to meet the campaign goal of tripling annual grantmaking to parks by 2030. 

Responsibilities 

Strategy and Program Leadership (25%) 

• In collaboration with the Director of Programs, lead the development and execution of multi-year Preserve pillar and Connect programs strategy aligned with CSPF's strategic plan, Program Plan and Program Architecture. 
• Lead day-to-day strategy and implementation for Climate & Biodiversity Resilience (including Western Monarch Grove Stewardship and Desert State Parks climate planning), the Climate Crisis Relief Fund, Community Partnerships, the Urban Parks Initiative, and Park Improvements and Enhancements. 
• Lead the team's Connect programs: the California State Parks Week grant round, the Adopt-A-Beach / Coastal Cleanup Day fiscal sponsorship, and Park Pass program support. 
• Develop and manage the Preserve pillar and Connect program’s annual budget, workplans and deliverables. 
• Identify emerging threats and opportunities, and develop, pilot and scale model solutions with California State Parks and park partners. 
• Prepare board-ready updates and reports for the pillar with the Director of Programs. 
• Other duties as assigned.  

Grantmaking, Funds and Financial Stewardship (20%) 

• Draft each annual Grants Workplan (timeline, KPIs, DPR compliance, SPKC threats and solutions) and authorize the Grants Coordinator to open each grant cycle once funding is secured. 
• Create and maintain the annual FY CSPF Funds Overview with Finance, and lead the May–June spending plans for internal endowments and the year-end spending review. 
• Review endowment applications for donor intent and approve disbursements in Yooz within delegated authority. 
• Serve as CSPF Lead for assigned fiscal sponsorships and donations; review fiscal sponsorship agreements annually. 
• Ensure every dollar follows the Preserve Manual's five pillars: donor intent, financial controls, documentation, impact monitoring and accountability. 
• Co-review the Preserve Manual and SOPs with the Grants Coordinator at least once a year. 

Team Leadership and Supervision (15%) 

• Directly manage two team members, providing clear direction, feedback, accountability, performance evaluations and professional development support.   
• Own the Preserve Central Calendar in Asana and lead the weekly Preserve check-in and monthly KPI meeting. 
• Working with the Director of Programs, strategize and build the Preserve team as grantmaking grows. 
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture that reflects CSPF’s values and encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. 

Partnerships and External Representation (10%) 

• Build and maintain relationships with California State Parks staff, the state agencies, park partners, community organizations, researchers and funders. 
• Serve as the DPR relationship owner for Park Pass survey data, and provide data to the Grants Coordinator each quarter. 
• Represent CSPF at site visits, partner convenings, conferences and public events. 
• Represent CSPF in coalitions and working groups on climate resilience, biodiversity and park access. 

Impact, Data and Reporting (15%) 

• Set and track Preserve KPIs and outcomes; ensure all funded work is tied to the State Park Knowledge Center in Salesforce. 
• Supervise the Program Coordinator, who is responsible for the State Park Knowledge Center, and integrate its data into program planning, advocacy and storytelling. 
• Review grantee midterm and final reports and produce summary reports for Marketing & Communications and Development. 
• Produce quarterly and annual Preserve reports, and share field learning with the Senior Manager of Government Affairs to inform Protect strategy. 
• Integrate JEID priorities into program design and evaluation, and participate in all-staff JEID meetings and trainings. 
• Attend staff meetings and check-ins, travel to in-person staff meetings and events (including CSP Week), represent CSPF at external events, and perform other duties as assigned. 

Development and Marketing & Communications Partnership (15%) 

With Development: donors, grants and impact reporting: 

• Serve as the program lead for Preserve pillar and Connect program fundraising: help Development identify prospects, set annual fundraising goals and timelines for grant programs and funds, and connect gifts to solutions in the State Park Knowledge Center. 
• Collaborate with the Program Director and Development Team to triple CSPF’s annual grantmaking by 2030.  
• Join donor meetings, site visits and briefings as the subject-matter expert on Preserve programs and park needs. 
• Write and review program content for foundation, corporate and government grant proposals, including goals, budgets, outcomes and evaluation plans. 
• Report back to donors and funders on impact: prepare program narratives, outcome data and stories for grant reports, donor updates and stewardship reports, on time and in line with donor intent. 
• Work with Development to agree on terms, timelines and promised outcomes for all restricted and designated gifts before they are accepted. 
• Lead the Preserve side of the biweekly Development meeting: what has come in, what is still to come, what is being distributed and what donors need to hear. 

With Marketing & Communications: storytelling and impact on all channels: 

• Identify and share stories that show program impact, and provide content and data for communications products. 
• Partner with Marketing & Communications to tell the story of Preserve work across all channels: website, blog, email, social media, press, events, and board and donor materials. 
• Supply impact data, photos, quotes, maps and grantee stories, and connect the team with park staff and partners for interviews and features. 
• Plan an annual calendar of impact stories tied to grant cycles, Earth Month, California State Parks Week, Coastal Cleanup Day and major program milestones. 
• Review content for accuracy and respectful representation of parks, partners and communities. 
• Lead the Preserve side of the monthly MarComms meeting and serve as a spokesperson for Preserve programs as needed. 

• 5–7 years of program management experience in conservation, public lands, grantmaking or nonprofit leadership. 
• Experience managing grant programs, restricted funds or endowments, including budgets and compliance. 
• Experience supervising and developing staff. 
• Strong knowledge of climate resilience, biodiversity, equitable access, and public land management. 
• Willingness to become an expert on climate and access issues facing the California state park system 
• Experience with fundraising and storytelling. 
• Commitment to CSPF’s mission and Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity initiatives.  
• Experience with KPI tracking, program evaluation and impact reporting. 
• Excellent relationship-building, public speaking and writing skills. 
• Proficiency with MS Office, Asana and Salesforce; familiarity with Submittable and ArcGIS. 
• Valid CA driver's license and ability to travel statewide, sometimes on evenings, weekends or overnight. 
• Able to work at a computer for long periods of time, work in and move across an office setting, communicate with colleagues and constituents, and occasionally move items up to 25 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience working with California State Parks or park partner organizations. 
• Experience with Proud Partner or similar agency agreements. 
• Experience engaging donors and supporting fundraising. 
• Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental studies, public administration, nonprofit management or related field. 

If you do not meet all the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.

Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity At California State Parks Foundation, our mission is protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all. We believe that California's state parks are essential to the health, happiness, and quality of life for all Californians. If we truly are to benefit all, we must address justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity (JEID) in our work. We commit to fostering an organizational culture that celebrates learning and growth, leans into difficult conversations and feedback, values connection to each other, and sustains staff and board members' well-being and sense of belonging. California State Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Police Code, Article 49. 

COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $99,188 - $114,667 

BENEFITS: Employee benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, acupuncture/chiropractic, participation in 401k retirement plan with match after one year of service, employee life, accidental, long- and short-term disability insurance, participation in pre-tax commuter benefits and flexible spending account, health and wellness and hybrid office stipend after 6 months of employment, paid vacation, 13 paid holidays, birthday holiday, and sick time.

California State Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Police Code, Article 49.