Executive Director — Conservation & Community Impact

Balsam Mountain Trust; Sylva (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits stipend

IRA contribution

Relocation support

Job summary

Balsam Mountain Trust seeks a relational, strategic, and mission-centered Executive Director to lead conservation education, animal ambassador care, and community programming at the Western North Carolina Preserve. The role requires proven nonprofit leadership, major donor fundraising, and strong storytelling to connect residents, donors, and partners with the Trust’s mission.

Located on-site at Balsam Mountain Preserve, this position reports to the Board and oversees a small team, with a focus

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead across strategy, operations, fundraising, staff, and external relationships.
• Experience working with boards and committees in a nonprofit setting.
• Strong donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and case-making skills.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience collaborating with schools, libraries, universities, and conservation partners.

Responsibilities

• Strategic and Mission Leadership: define priorities and operating model to advance conservation education and community impact.
• Fundraising, Donor Engagement, and Sustainability: lead relationship-based development and major donor engagement with the Board.
• Communication, Storytelling, and Resident Engagement: articulate the Trust’s mission clearly to residents, donors, and partners.
• Program, Conservation, and Community Impact: guide a balanced program strategy across field, education, and stewardship.
• Organizational Management and Partnership Leadership: supervise staff, manage resources, and collaborate with diverse partners.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership experience

Fundraising experience

Communication and storytelling

Staff leadership

Financial literacy

Job description

Balsam Mountain Trust seeks a relational, strategic, and mission-centered Executive Director to lead conservation education, animal ambassador care, and community programming at the Western North Carolina Preserve. The role requires proven nonprofit leadership, major donor fundraising, and strong storytelling to connect residents, donors, and partners with the Trust’s mission.

Located on-site at Balsam Mountain Preserve, this position reports to the Board and oversees a small team, with a focus