Executive Director

Maine Tasting Center; Winthrop (ME); On-site; USD 87,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care stipend

Paid holidays

Vacation & sick leave

Retirement contributions

Professional development

Job summary

Kennebec Land Trust in Winthrop, Maine seeks an experienced Executive Director to lead the organization’s mission of land conservation and community stewardship. You will guide strategic planning, governance, and staff development while fostering collaborations with donors, volunteers, municipalities, and partner groups.

The role requires advanced degrees or equivalent experience, a proven nonprofit leadership track, strong fundraising, financial management, and a commitment to long-term

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. An advanced degree in a field relevant to nonprofit leadership, conservation, or organizational management is preferred.
• Significant senior leadership experience within a nonprofit organization with strategic thinking, decision-making, execution of strategy, and leadership skills.
• Leadership experience in land conservation or a related field is preferred.
• A genuine commitment to land conservation and KLT's mission.
• Experience with nonprofit financial management and budgeting.
• Demonstrated fundraising success, including donor cultivation, stewardship, and grant development.
• Understanding of human resource management and experience leading and developing staff.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders including donors, volunteers, municipalities, partner organizations, and community members.
• Ability to effectively use current technology and systems and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive and operational leadership for Kennebec Land Trust, guiding mission and long-term sustainability.
• Work with the Board to support governance, strategy, and performance updates.
• Lead and develop a high-performing staff in a collaborative, inclusive culture.
• Oversee financial management, budgeting, and sustainability with the Treasurer and Finance Committee.
• Lead fundraising efforts with donors, foundations, businesses, and other partners.
• Serve as KLT’s primary spokesperson and representative to members, volunteers, and the public.
• Identify and develop partnerships to advance KLT’s mission and impact.
• Support land conservation, stewardship, education, and community engagement by prioritizing resources.
• Ensure compliance with laws, Land Trust Alliance Standards, accreditation, and policies.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Nonprofit governance

Staff development

Financial management

Stakeholder relations

Communication

Technology literacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Budgeting software

Job description

About Kennebec Land Trust

Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) is a nationally accredited land trust that has been conserving the natural and working lands of central Maine for more than 35 years. With over 1100 members, we conserve more than 8,200 acres of land and maintain a growing network of over 61 miles of trails. Through conservation, stewardship, education, and community partnerships, we protect important natural resources, provide access to conserved lands, connect people to the outdoors, and work with local and statewide partners to advance conservation. KLT is seeking an experienced, collaborative leader to serve as our next Executive Director. This is an opportunity to lead a respected conservation organization with a strong reputation, dedicated staff, an engaged Board of Directors, committed volunteers, and loyal members and supporters. Building on KLT's strong foundation, the next Executive Director will guide the organization through its next chapter by strengthening relationships, supporting staff, advancing fundraising efforts, and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall executive and operational leadership for Kennebec Land Trust, ensuring the organization strategically advances its mission and long-term sustainability.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to support effective governance, develop and implement organizational strategy, implement Board-approved priorities, and provide regular updates on organizational performance.
• Lead and develop a high-performing staff by fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture.
• Oversee the organization's financial management, budgeting, and long-term financial sustainability, working closely with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to support sound financial planning and oversight.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including building and maintaining relationships with individual donors, foundations, businesses, and other funding partners.
• Serve as KLT's primary spokesperson and represent the organization with members, volunteers, donors, municipalities, conservation organizations, community partners, and the public.
• Identify and develop partnerships that advance KLT's mission and strengthen the organization's long-term impact.
• Support KLT's land conservation, stewardship, education, and community engagement efforts by working with staff to establish priorities and allocate resources.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, accreditation requirements, and Board policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. An advanced degree in a field relevant to nonprofit leadership, conservation, or organizational management is preferred.
• Significant senior leadership experience within a nonprofit organization along with a demonstrated track record of strong strategic thinking, decision-making, execution of strategy, and other organizational leadership skills.
• Leadership experience in land conservation or a related field is preferred.
• A genuine commitment to land conservation and KLT's mission.
• Experience with nonprofit financial management and budgeting.
• Demonstrated fundraising success, including donor cultivation, stewardship, and grant development.
• Understanding of human resource management and experience leading and developing staff.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders such as donors, volunteers, municipalities, partner organizations, and community members and leaders.
• Ability to effectively use current technology and systems and identify opportunities to improve efficiency through their use.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Working Conditions

Primarily office-based with some work-from-home flexibility, with regular local and regional travel to meetings, community events, donor visits, and site visits to conserved and potential conservation properties. The Executive Director is expected to maintain a regular on-site presence and live within a reasonable commuting distance of the KLT office in Winthrop. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required. Occasional attendance at evening and weekend meetings and events are required.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $87,000 - $106,200

Kennebec Land Trust offers a competitive benefits package that includes a health care stipend, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement contributions, and professional development opportunities.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) encourages diversity and equity in our public service and in our workplace. The Trust prohibits any discrimination in carrying on its mission on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. This includes all programs, projects, events, and any other related activity sponsored by KLT. KLT's commitment to diversity extends to all levels of our organization and is endorsed by our Board of Directors and Staff.

KLT Statement on Wabanaki Access and Stewardship of Land

Maine is the homeland of the Wabanaki People. Since the Laurentide ice sheet retreated over 11,000 years ago, the Wabanaki have hunted, fished, traveled through, and lived on the land that we now call Maine. Wabanaki means the people of the dawn, a term referring to the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, and Abenaki people. Despite the devastating impacts of colonization in recent centuries, the Wabanaki culture and communities remain vibrant and strong in Maine today.

The Kennebec Land Trust's (KLT) service area in Maine is within the Abenaki homeland. "Kennebec", from the Abenaki word kinepk or kinepkw, translates to "deep river." KLT has a deep appreciation for the complex relationships between people and the land and the natural world itself. We recognize the Wabanaki's long relationship with the lands that we call Maine and the ongoing and important role they have in shaping the future. We are committed to continuing to learn about tribal priorities and considering future land trust and tribal conservation projects.