Role: Regional Director, California Coast and Central Valley

Reports to: Director of Field Operations
Classification: Salaried / Exempt
Salary: Starting at $67,000 – $74,500, DOE, plus benefits (Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, and 401K)
Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Mountain Time (MT) on November 13, 2026
Location: Remote but must reside in California or be willing to relocate to California

Make a Lasting Difference for Wildlife Conservation. The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) and Blacktail Deer Foundation (BDF) are seeking an energetic, entrepreneurial leader to serve as a Regional Director. This is an opportunity to build thriving volunteer chapters, expand fundraising efforts, cultivate donors and sponsors, and help conserve mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitats. If you are passionate about conservation, enjoy building relationships, and thrive in an independent leadership role, we encourage you to apply.

Position Summary

The Regional Director serves as the Foundation's primary field representative within an assigned territory. This remote-based position is responsible for volunteer leadership, chapter development, fundraising growth, membership expansion, donor cultivation, sponsor development, and community engagement.

Primary Responsibilities

• Recruit, mentor, and support volunteer chapter leaders.
• Strengthen existing chapters and establish new chapters in underserved communities.
• Plan, organize, and support fundraising events including banquets, raffles, auctions, and other fundraising initiatives.
• Develop relationships with donors, sponsors, conservation partners, businesses, landowners, and wildlife agencies.
• Represent MDF/BDF at public meetings, conservation projects, outdoor expos, chapter meetings, and community events.
• Collaborate across multiple teams to identify major donor and corporate and local partnership opportunities.
• Maintain accurate budgets, reports, CRM records, financial documentation, and event records.
• Ensure compliance with Foundation policies, financial procedures, and event standards.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for the Foundation while promoting its mission and conservation objectives.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the operational needs, strategic priorities, and mission of the Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, volunteer leadership, nonprofit management, business development, sales, or event management.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Passion for wildlife conservation, ethical hunting, and the mission of the Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license, current automobile insurance, and an acceptable driving record.
• Skills in Basic word processing, Teams, Blackbaud and outlook along with basic non-profit and business technology is a plus
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

What Success Looks Like

• Increase fundraising revenue and chapter performance.
• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional volunteers.
• Expand membership and donor engagement.
• Build lasting partnerships throughout the region.
• Represent the Foundation with professionalism, integrity, and accountability while delivering measurable conservation impact.

Travel & Physical Work Requirements

This is a remote-based position offering flexibility and independence while requiring frequent regional travel, including evenings, weekends, overnight travel, extended driving, and occasional air travel.

This position regularly requires physical work associated with fundraising events and conservation activities. Candidates must be able to:

• Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. Heavier or team-lift items must be handled using appropriate assistance or equipment.
• Load and unload trailers, vehicles, tables, raffle merchandise, auction items, displays, and event equipment.
• Stand and walk for extended periods of time, often 8–12 hours during fundraising events.
• Bend, kneel, stoop, climb, reach, and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Set up, tear down, and transport event equipment before and after fundraising events.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: Starting at $67,000 – $74,500, to commensurate with experience and qualifications. Regional Directors are eligible for performance-based incentive compensation based on established fundraising and monetary performance goals.

MDF/BDF offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits with employer contributions, paid holidays, paid time off, reimbursement of approved business travel expenses, and a flexible remote work environment.

Why Join the Mule Deer Foundation?

Regional Directors play a vital role in conserving wildlife habitat while inspiring volunteers, strengthening communities, and building meaningful partnerships that leave a lasting conservation legacy. Few careers offer the opportunity to combine professional leadership with a passion for wildlife, hunting heritage, and conservation.

Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Mountain Time (MT) on November 13, 2026.

To Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references in a single PDF document to lana@muledeer.org with the subject line: "California Regional Director"

For questions regarding the position, please contact Lana Bingham, Executive Administrative Assistant, at lana@muledeer.org.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties and responsibilities may be modified based on organizational needs and applicable law

MDF/BDF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position.

Drug-Free Workplace: MDF/BDF maintains a drug-free workplace. Employees must comply with the Foundation's drug and alcohol policies and perform their duties free from impairment, consistent with applicable federal and state law.