Executive Director

Bainbridge Island Land Trust; Bainbridge Island (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bainbridge Island Land Trust (BILT) seeks an exceptional Executive Director to lead its mission of conserving and stewarding the diverse natural environments of Bainbridge Island for the benefit of all.

This is a leadership role guiding a ten-plus person team, stewarding critical lands, and partnering with public agencies and community stakeholders to sustain ecological and community value for generations to come.

Qualifications

• Passion for BILT’s mission and vision.
• 5+ years of senior management experience.
• Strong experience developing and executing strategy and vision for an organization and/or department.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and oversee organizational finances, including budgeting, financial forecasting, cash flow, financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management. Able to interpret financial statements and use financial information to make sound strategic and operational decisions.
• Experience managing an organization or department with multiple programs.
• Experience leading a team of 3+ direct reports.
• Track record of promoting a collaborative work environment where staff are heard, and where staff are motivated and inspired to perform at their highest levels.
• Experience working in conservation.
• Familiarity with natural resource protection, including the principles of ecology and conservation biology.
• Familiarity and understanding of the PNW’s environmental/conservation issues.
• Outstanding communicator: excellent speaking, writing, and listening skills.
• Can tell BILT's story in a compelling and authentic way.
• Experience developing and building alliances and partnerships.
• Able to develop and maintain relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to principles of cultural humility in working with diverse communities.
• Ability to be a big picture thinker in terms of diversifying funding streams.
• Comfortable and willing to make gift solicitations.
• Track record of building strong, trusting relationships with public and private partners to address complex issues and develop innovative solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and a business orientation that leverages and optimizes resources.

Responsibilities

• Providing visionary strategic leadership and tactical guidance to the Board and staff in key process and policy areas.
• Developing and directing plans to implement the organization’s mission and strategic plan.
• Working actively on fundraising, including building and maintaining successful relationships with donors and various funding agencies and businesses.
• Developing and supporting a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment for the staff.
• Preparing and implementing annual budgets, work plans, and long-term strategic plans.
• Supporting the Board in maintaining strong governing bylaws, policies and business practices.
• Ensuring sound business and financial oversight in daily business operations, including all contracting activities for services, products, and property.
• Drafting and implementing effective agendas and materials in collaboration with the President and Executive Committee, in order to hold engaging and educational monthly Board meetings that advance strategic goals.
• Leading and maintaining the human resources system for recruiting, retaining, developing, and enhancing the skills and talents of a high-functioning staff and Board.
• Maintaining positive relationships and building mutual understanding with the key regional partners through effective communication and outreach.
• Representing the Bainbridge Island Land Trust at events, conferences, and meetings.

Skills

Senior leadership

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Board collaboration

Financial oversight

Staff development

Nonprofit governance

Communications

Job description

The Bainbridge Island Land Trust (BILT) seeks an exceptional Executive Director to lead its mission of conserving and stewarding the diverse natural environments of Bainbridge Island for the benefit of all. This is an opportunity to lead an organization with a deep legacy, strong community relationships, and an important role to play in shaping the future of Bainbridge Island.

Bainbridge Island is nestled at the heart of the Puget Sound ecosystem — a place of extraordinary natural beauty, remarkable ecological diversity, and abundant wildlife. As population and development pressures continue to grow, the island’s forests, freshwater streams, shorelines, open spaces, and wildlife habitat form an interconnected mosaic of natural systems that sustain both the environment and the community.

For more than 30 years, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust has been a leader in protecting the island’s most important natural areas. BILT works to conserve lands with significant ecological and community value, including shorelines, streams, wetlands, forests, tidelands, and critical wildlife habitat. These protected lands provide essential benefits—from watershed protection and wildlife habitat to scenic beauty, open space, and opportunities for people to connect with nature.

BILT’s conservation work is collaborative and far-reaching. The organization partners with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community members, and willing private landowners to acquire and protect land for preserves, parks, trails, and public enjoyment; restore and enhance habitat; and ensure that privately protected lands are thoughtfully stewarded for generations to come. Through this work, BILT is helping shape a future in which Bainbridge Island’s extraordinary natural character and vibrant community can continue to thrive together.

BILT has helped protect over 1,600 acres of vulnerable forests, wetlands, meadows, shorelines, agricultural lands, streams, riparian corridors, and scenic vistas on Bainbridge Island — including more than 1,100 acres that are open to the public!

About Bainbridge Island

As you approach Bainbridge Island by ferry or bridge, you can glimpse the quiet harbors and homes along the rocky shoreline and the densely forested hills. This vibrant, diverse community, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, is ready for you. Located 35 minutes by ferry from Seattle, the island enjoys a wonderful combination of farms, wineries, hiking trails, scenic vistas, and local arts. The community has managed to preserve its friendly aura, small-town charm, and natural environments. Islanders value the sense of country living and quick access to Seattle’s business and cultural resources.

The Executive Director:

• represents the vision and mission of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust within the community
• builds a collaborative and strong organization
• inspires, leads, and manages a professional team of ten+ employees
• reports to and collaborates with a working board of fifteen directors
• pursues all avenues of fundraising
• manages the operations and financial success of the organization with the highest integrity
• develops and maintains effective partnerships with community agencies
• collaborates with local, state, and tribal sovereigns, and communicates with a broad base of donors, landowners, and community members

Position Responsibilities

• Providing visionary strategic leadership and tactical guidance to the Board and staff in key process and policy areas
• Developing and directing plans to implement the organization’s mission and strategic plan
• Working actively on fundraising, including building and maintaining successful relationships with donors and various funding agencies and businesses
• Developing and supporting a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment for the staff
• Preparing and implementing annual budgets, work plans, and long-term strategic plans
• Supporting the Board in maintaining strong governing bylaws, policies and business practices
• Ensuring sound business and financial oversight in daily business operations, including all contracting activities for services, products, and property
• Drafting and implementing effective agendas and materials in collaboration with the President and Executive Committee, in order to hold engaging and educational monthly Board meetings that advance strategic goals
• Leading and maintaining the human resources system for recruiting, retaining, developing, and enhancing the skills and talents of a high-functioning staff and Board
• Maintaining positive relationships and building mutual understanding with the key regional partners through effective communication and outreach
• Representing the Bainbridge Island Land Trust at events, conferences, and meetings

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

• Passion for BILT’s mission and vision
• 5+ years of senior management experience
• Strong experience developing and executing strategy and vision for an organization and/or department
• Demonstrated ability to understand and oversee organizational finances, including budgeting, financial forecasting, cash flow, financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management. Able to interpret financial statements and use financial information to make sound strategic and operational decisions
• Experience managing an organization or department with multiple programs
• Experience leading a team of 3+ direct reports
• Track record of promoting a collaborative work environment where staff are heard, and where staff are motivated and inspired to perform at their highest levels
• Experience working in conservation
• Familiarity with natural resource protection, including the principles of ecology and conservation biology
• Familiarity and understanding of the PNW’s environmental/conservation issues
• Outstanding communicator: excellent speaking, writing, and listening skills
• Can tell BILT's story in a compelling and authentic way
• Experience developing and building alliancesand partnerships
• Able to develop and maintain relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Commitment to principles of cultural humility in working with diverse communities
• Ability to be a big picture thinker in terms of diversifying funding streams
• Comfortable and willing to make gift solicitations
• Track record of building strong, trusting relationships with public and private partners to address complex issues and develop innovative solutions
• Strong organizational skills and a business orientation that leverages and optimizes resources

Highly Preferred:

• Experience in nonprofit and/or governmental organizations
• Direct experience working with and/or reporting to a board of directors or board committee
• Experience with building relationships with donors
• Experience working with government agencies

Preferred:

• Experience with and/or knowledge of conservation easements

Personal Characteristics:

• Visionary and executes on the vision
• Comfortable making tough decisions
• High EQ
• Consistent follow-through
• Problem solver who is flexible and nimble
• Collaborative, ability to build consensus
• Transparent and trustworthy with a high degree of integrity

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to [e-mail]. Please include "BILT Executive Director" in the subject line.