Executive Assistant

Posted Date: 10/29/2025
Position Closing Date: Open until filled
Location: Colorado Springs
Job Type: Full-time, exempt position
Salary Hiring Range: $65,000 - $75,000

The Opportunity

Palmer Land Conservancy is looking to expand its dynamic team with the addition of a full-time Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Palmer. The CEO is the driving force behind the strategic goals, innovation and impact for the organization. The Executive Assistant (EA) will join the leadership team of the organization to participate in and support all aspects of the organization’s growth and forward trajectory. This role’s priorities support Palmer’s 5-year strategic plan and focus on leading a historic western water initiative; safeguarding the conservation and access of critical parks, open spaces, and trails; protecting vital habitat and resilient landscapes; and ensuring Colorado maintains a strong local food supply and agricultural heritage.

The Executive Assistant’s primary focus is to provide comprehensive administrative, communication, and writing support to the CEO. The EA serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external audiences on all matters pertaining to the CEO; organizes and coordinates executive outreach and external relations efforts; provides support for the CEO at events; and oversees critical communications and special projects. Additionally, the EA will play a crucial role in supporting the organization's Board of Trustees by serving as the primary liaison, coordinating meetings and events, supporting board members in their commitments to the organization, and facilitating effective communication between the board and executive leadership. The ideal individual will be proactive and anticipatory in approach, possess excellent judgment in a variety of situations, demonstrate superior written and verbal communication skills, have a high attention to detail, exemplify an energetic, poised, and positive demeanor, and demonstrate the ability to balance multiple priorities.

Benefits

Palmer offers full-time employees top-tier benefits, including robust employer-sponsored health care package which includes medical, dental, and vision benefits; retirement plan with company contribution; short-term and long-term disability; and generous Paid Time Off.

Company Culture

Palmer was named one of the 2022 Best Workplaces in Colorado Springs by the Gazette! Palmer leadership values a culture of generosity, trust, and dedication to conservation. The work environment is goal-based, with work plans and performance focused on identifying and achieving attainable yet ambitious objectives on a quarterly timeline. This is not a micro-managing environment, and instead, employees are trusted to get their work done with a high level of personal responsibility.

Palmer’s employees are hardworking high performers, and in exchange, they are supported in pursuing work-life flexibility with policies such as open paid time off, sabbatical leave, and remote work.

Organizational Overview

Palmer Land Conservancy (Palmer) is one of the leading nonprofit land conservation organizations in Colorado and one of the country’s first 100 nationally accredited land trusts through the Land Trust Alliance. Our mission is to protect land and water for the well-being of nature and people. Since 1977, the organization has permanently protected nearly 220 square miles of land acres including 20 public parks and open spaces, working farms and ranches, wildlife habitat, and scenic views. These are the places where Coloradans live, work, and play.

We are a team of professionals who work with private landowners and local, state, and federal partners to be a catalyst for community health, resiliency, and prosperity. Through these partnerships, we achieve lasting impact towards our mission and begin to ignite a culture shift for conservation. We are committed to organizational excellence and valuing our people, diverse backgrounds and experiences, equitable access, and expanding the tools we need to be successful.

Palmer is three years into a five-year strategic plan, created in 2022 to bring greater vision and impact to our work. This plan includes key pillars: Land for Nature, Land for People, Land for Food, and Water for Life. Palmer conserves many types of properties, including land with significant natural conservation values, agriculture, and recreation opportunities. Whenever possible, we seek opportunities to do conservation work on a regional or system-wide scale. Palmer is currently focused on growing our Water for Life Initiative, which creates innovative solutions to optimize scarce water resources. Further, as a community-supported organization, Palmer works hard to maintain community visibility, including by growing our community engagement and volunteer program. We also provide comprehensive support to our landowner partners, including helping them access external funding opportunities.

Our main office is in downtown Colorado Springs, with a satellite office in Pueblo. Find out more at palmerland.org.

Roles and Responsibilities

Executive Management (50%)

Communicates directly and on behalf of the CEO with board trustees, donors, staff, and others on matters related to the CEO's priorities. This includes drafting acknowledgement letters, personal correspondence, presentations, and other tasks that enable the CEO to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders and audiences.
Researches, prioritizes, and follows up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to and at the discretion of the CEO, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature. Determines appropriate course of action, referral, or response.
Writes memos and fact sheets for a variety of issues and audiences focused on state, regional, and federal issues, often related to the development of the growing water-focused work.
Works closely and effectively with the CEO to keep them well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately.
Prioritizes conflicting needs; handles matters expeditiously, proactively, and follows through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.
Completes administrative tasks for the President & CEO, including managing and completing expense reports; composing and preparing correspondence that is sometimes confidential; and arranging travel plans and travel-related logistics.
Plans, coordinates, and manages the CEO’s active calendar of appointments to ensure optimal time management and seamless coordination with internal and external audiences. At times, attends meetings and events to assist with agendas and note-taking.

Special Projects and Operational Support (25%)

Provides necessary capacity and support on special projects that require direct involvement from the CEO.
Tracks the operations of the philanthropy, land, and stewardship teams and facilitates communication between those teams and the CEO.
Conducts research, compiles data, and prepares reports as requested.
Oversees all elements of grant management, including maintaining the grant tracking board, ensuring timely reporting, researching and writing new grant requests, and coordinating with lead staff as applicable.
Collaborates on internal projects, including developing polished presentations, fundraising needs, and process improvements.

Board of Trustees Support (25%)

Provides support to Trustees to help them fulfill their fundraising, outreach, and networking goals, at the direction of the CEO and philanthropy staff.
Manages all aspects of Palmer’s board portal, including verifying staff, committee members, maintaining all governing documents and paperwork related to the Trustees, and ensuring Trustees are provided with the correct access for their role.
Creates all Trustee meeting agendas and supports senior staff to create and distribute committee meeting agendas. Attends meetings and records minutes, ensuring timely distribution to relevant parties.
Assists Trustees with Palmer-related meeting logistics, travel arrangements, and other support as needed.
Manages Palmer’s Emeritus Trustee program, which includes preparing and mailing quarterly newsletters, planning an annual Emeritus Trustee breakfast, and maintaining steady communication with these past trustees.
Facilitates staff communication with trustees.
Maintains discretion and confidentiality in relationships with all Trustees.
Adheres to compliance with applicable rules and regulations set in bylaws regarding Trustee and Trustee committee matters, including advance distribution of materials before meetings.

Qualifications:

In addition to the criteria below, the successful applicant will be creative and enjoy working within a small, entrepreneurial environment that is mission-driven, results-driven, and community-oriented. This individual will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, with strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities. The EA will work independently on projects and must be able to work under pressure at times to handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion.

Proven experience of 2-3 years as an executive assistant or in a similar role.
Bachelor's degree or related work experience preferred.
Demonstration of exceptional organizational and time management skills.
Demonstration of expert-level written and verbal communication abilities.
Ability to quickly learn and navigate a variety of technology-related systems, including task boards, databases, and spreadsheets.
Proven ability to handle confidential information with the utmost discretion.
Highly resourceful team player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.
Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
Experience and interest in internal and external communications, partnership development, and fundraising

Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many, but not all of the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, Palmer Land Conservancy encourages you to apply.

To Apply for the Position

Please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed as received with interviews beginning November 11. The position will be open until filled.