Top Land Executive jobs in Portland, ME

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Upper Saco Valley Land Trust (USVLT)

www.usvlt.org

THRIVING TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD NONPROFIT seeks chief executive to lead its mission to acquire, protect and manage special places in the upper Saco River watershed of New Hampshire and Maine, to benefit both the natural world and human communities.

The Upper Saco Valley Land Trust purchases, or receives by gift, land parcels and conservation easements in its eleven-town service area: Albany, Bartlett, Chatham, Conway, Eaton, Hart’s Location, Jackson and Madison, New Hampshire, and Brownfield, Denmark and Fryeburg, Maine.

The Trust concentrates on significant natural systems and wildlife habitats, accessible recreation and scenic areas, watersheds, aquifers, working farmlands and intact or sensitively harvested forests—12,000 acres protected to date: 19 preserves, 63 easements and 40 miles of multi-use trail. We have $400,000 in operating reserves and $2,600,000 in restricted cash investments.

Our four-season resort region is among America’s most beautiful places, home to the splendid, one-million-acre White Mountain National Forest and Mount Washington, tallest peak in the Northeast. Area amenities include major downhill ski areas, world-class cross-country and backcountry skiing complexes,1,000-plus miles of hiking paths (Appalachian Trail included), federally designated wildernesses, alpine zones, bike trails for all levels, pristine lakes and spectacular free-flowing rivers for fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking.

Expectations

The successful applicant will lead a talented staff and work handily with a 13-person, unpaid board of directors and a volunteer corps that assists in land acquisition and stewardship, office tasks and organizational governance.

Main Duties

The Executive Director shall:

• Develop an annual fundraising plan, and a land acquisition plan, with specific metrics.
• Raise yearly operating funds via direct mail, online giving, events and other means.
• Build the annual budget with the Finance Committee and run USVLT consistently in the black.
• Seek major gifts from individuals and grant makers, including foundations and government agencies.
• Manage staff in a respectful, productive team approach that honors each person’s individuality and helps him/her develop professional prowess.
• Be chief spokesperson, ambassador and main curator of USVLT’s well-earned public image and community stature.
• Negotiate land acquisitions consistent with USVLT’s mission and ethics, meeting or exceeding principles set by the Land Trust Alliance, a national oversight nonprofit.
• Forge effective conservation partnerships with nonprofits and agencies.
• Expand volunteer program and the number of engaged individuals and develop the operational support needed to do it..
• Expand capacity in USVLT’s five management functional areas: Executive, Development, Land Protection, Stewardship and Administration.
• Investigate feasibility of mounting a multi-million-dollar capital drive to multiply protected lands and the funds to achieve it, perhaps tied with USVLT’s 25th anniversary gala celebration, in 2025.

Baseline Qualifications

• Years of successful nonprofit, for-profit, or agency leadership experience, preferably as chief executive or equivalent.
• Demonstrated fundraising achievement (operations and capital).
• Record of having grown an organization or major program.
• Excellent staff management and budgeting skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in field(s) most akin to USVLT needs.

Personal Characteristics

• Passion for public service, especially in conservation.
• Right mix of the missionary and the managerial.
• Strong writing and speaking abilities.
• Equable demeanor, especially in office situations.
• Innate propensity to credit others.
• High tolerance for ambiguity.
• Sense of humor.

Application

• Resume and persuasive cover letter, with recent salary/benefits history, to: search@usvlt.org.
• Deadline: March 29, 2024.
• ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS ONLY. No phone calls.
• Applications will be acknowledged promptly.
• Candidates shall be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or veteran or disability status.