Open Positions

• Executive Assistant to the President (open till July 10, 2026)

• Strategic Advocacy and Communications Officer (open till July 24, 2026)

Executive Assistant to the President

Position: Executive Assistant to the President

Reports to: President

Based:  Thornburg Foundation Office, 2300 Ridgetop Road, Santa Fe, NM

Hours:  Full-Time, Exempt

Accepting applications through July 10, 2026

ABOUT THE THORNBURG FOUNDATION

The Thornburg Foundation is a New Mexico-based private foundation committed to advancing equitable and sustainable policy across the state. The Foundation supports work in K–12 education, water, land and agriculture, homelessness, affordable housing, and nonprofit capacity building. With a small, highly engaged staff and a growing portfolio of grantmaking and policy initiatives, the Foundation operates at the intersection of philanthropy, advocacy, and public policy.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Assistant to the President is a critical operational role that enables the President to lead effectively across a wide range of strategic, governance, and external responsibilities. This position manages the President’s calendar, correspondence, and travel; serves as the primary point of coordination for all board-related logistics; and organizes foundation-wide events and convenings. The ideal candidate is highly organized, discreet, and proactive professional who thrives in a mission-driven environment and takes genuine pride in making an executive’s work run smoothly.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Presidential Support

• • • Manage the President’s calendar, scheduling meetings, calls, and travel with attention to priorities and time constraints
    • Draft, edit, and manage professional correspondence on behalf of the President
    • Coordinate domestic travel logistics, including flights, lodging, ground transportation, and itineraries
    • Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and background research to support the President’s external meetings and speaking engagements
    • Track action items and follow-up commitments arising from the President’s meetings and calls

Board Relations and Governance

• • Manage all logistics for quarterly board meetings, including scheduling, venue coordination, and technology setup
  • Prepare, compile, and distribute board meeting materials, including agendas, reports, and supporting documents
  • Maintain board records, contact information, and governance files; track follow-up items between meetings
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for board members on scheduling and logistical questions
  • Support the President in managing board communications, including drafting correspondence and coordinating responses

Foundation Events and Convenings

• • Plan and execute foundation-wide events, including staff retreats, stakeholder convenings, grantee gatherings, and external partner meetings
  • Manage vendor relationships, venue logistics, catering, and AV needs for foundation events
  • Coordinate logistics for site visits, field trips, and policy-related convenings organized by the foundation
  • Develop and manage event timelines and checklists to ensure smooth execution

Office and Organizational Support

• • Maintain organized digital filing systems for the President’s office
  • Support onboarding of new staff by coordinating logistics and orientation schedules
  • Assist with special projects and organizational priorities as assigned by the President

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• • 3–5+ years of experience supporting a senior executive, ideally in a nonprofit, foundation, or public sector setting
  • Demonstrated experience managing board or governance logistics
  • Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Strong written communication skills; ability to draft professional correspondence in the President’s voice
  • High degree of discretion with confidential personnel, governance, and financial information
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and video conferencing platforms

Preferred

• • Experience planning and executing events, retreats, or multi-stakeholder convenings
  • Familiarity with New Mexico’s civic, nonprofit, or philanthropic community
  • Experience working with a small, fast-moving team where roles and responsibilities flex
  • Familiarity with AI tools (such as Claude, or Copilot) and comfort using them in daily work to draft communications, organize information, and improve efficiency.

Compensation & Benefits: Salary $75k – $90k, commensurate with experience. The Thornburg Foundation offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave. This is a full-time, in-person position based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Location: This position is based out of the Thornburg Foundation office in Santa Fe, NM.  The position allows for hybrid work, and staff schedules 3 days per week in the office.  The Foundation does not offer remote work options. 

To Apply: No phone calls. Please submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how your expertise and background match the job description requirements, your resume, and contact information for three references (two must be former or current employers) by July 10, 2026. Email applications to [email protected] and include “Executive Assistant to the President” in the subject line. 

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

Please note: to adhere to strict IRS guidelines for private foundations and in keeping with our internal conflict of interest policy, Thornburg Foundation employees may not hold any elected office.

Strategic Advocacy and Communications Officer

Position: Strategic Advocacy and Communications Officer

Reports to: President

Based:  Thornburg Foundation Office, 2300 Ridgetop Road, Santa Fe, NM

Hours:  Full-Time

Accepting applications through July 24, 2026

ABOUT THE THORNBURG FOUNDATION

The Thornburg Foundation is a New Mexico-based private foundation committed to advancing equitable and sustainable policy across the state. The Foundation supports work in K–12 education, water, land and agriculture, homelessness, affordable housing, and nonprofit capacity building. With a small, highly engaged staff and a growing portfolio of grantmaking and policy initiatives, the Foundation operates at the intersection of philanthropy, advocacy, and public policy.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Strategic Advocacy and Communications Officer is responsible for advancing the Thornburg Foundation’s public policy goals through coordinated advocacy and strategic communications. Approximately 80% of this role is focused on policy advocacy—developing and executing public-facing campaigns, supporting messaging across coalition partners, and supporting policy officers in translating technical policy work into persuasive public narratives. The remaining 20% covers digital communications, including social media, newsletters, and digital content production.

This role is ideal for a seasoned advocacy professional who understands New Mexico’s legislative and policy environment, brings experience building and coordinating coalitions, and can operate as both a strategist and a hands-on communicator.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Advocacy (approx. 80%)

• • • Develop and execute advocacy strategies in support of the Foundation’s five policy initiative areas: K–12 education, water, land and agriculture, homelessness, affordable housing, and nonprofit capacity building
    • Design and lead public-facing policy campaigns, including message development, stakeholder mobilization, and legislative engagement
    • Coordinate advocacy messaging and strategy across coalition partners, grantees, and allied organizations working in the Foundation’s issue areas
    • Track legislative and regulatory developments relevant to Foundation initiatives and develop timely, well-crafted public responses and position statements
    • Support policy officers in preparing testimony and advocacy materials for legislative hearings, agency proceedings, and stakeholder convenings
    • Build and maintain relationships with legislators, agency staff, advocacy organizations, and other policy stakeholders across the Foundation’s issue areas
    • Support grantees in developing their own advocacy capacity, messaging, and public engagement strategies

Digital Communications (approx. 20%)

• • Manage day-to-day social media publishing across the Foundation’s platforms, ensuring consistent voice, timely posting, and alignment with advocacy priorities
  • Draft and produce the Foundation’s digital newsletter, coordinating content contributions from policy officers and the President
  • Develop short-form digital content—graphics, video clips, social copy to support advocacy campaigns and policy milestones
  • Coordinate with the Foundation’s external communications agency on website content, earned media, and longer-form materials
  • Maintain and update the Foundation’s website with current initiative information, grantee stories, and advocacy resources

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• • 5+ years of experience in policy advocacy, public affairs, legislative affairs, or issue-based campaigning
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute advocacy campaigns, including message development, coalition coordination, and legislative engagement
  • Deep familiarity with New Mexico’s legislative process, state agency landscape, and policy environment
  • Experience translating complex technical policy content into persuasive public-facing communications
  • Strong written communication skills across formats: position statements, op-eds, testimony, social media, and email communications
  • Experience coordinating across multiple organizations or stakeholder groups toward shared advocacy goals

Preferred

• • Experience working in or with philanthropy, and understanding of the role and limitations of private foundations in advocacy
  • Familiarity with one or more of the Foundation’s issue areas: education, water, agriculture, housing, or nonprofit capacity
  • Experience with digital content creation, including graphic design, light video production, or social media management tools
  • Spanish language proficiency; experience working with Tribal, Hispanic, or rural New Mexico communities

Compensation & Benefits: Salary $90 – $110k, commensurate with experience. The Thornburg Foundation offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave. 

Location: This position is based out of the Thornburg Foundation office in Santa Fe, NM.  The position allows for hybrid work, and staff schedules 3 days per week in the office.  The Foundation does not offer remote work options. 

To Apply: No phone calls. Please submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how your expertise and background match the job description requirements, your resume, and contact information for three references (two must be former or current employers) by July 24, 2026. Email applications to [email protected] and include “Strategic Advocacy and Communications Officer” in the subject line. 

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

Please note: to adhere to strict IRS guidelines for private foundations and in keeping with our internal conflict of interest policy, Thornburg Foundation employees may not hold any elected office.