Executive Director - Land & Climate Policy Leader

CEA Consulting; Monterey (CA); Remote; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

LandWatch in Monterey County is seeking an Executive Director to guide policy advocacy, fundraising, and organizational leadership. Reporting to the Board, you will shape strategy, oversee operations and finances, and represent the organization with officials, funders, and the public.

You will lead a small team, collaborate across staff, consultants, and coalition partners, and move between long-range planning and day-to-day execution to advance housing, climate, land use, and conservation goals

Qualifications

• Experience leading or managing a nonprofit with budgets, staff, and board relationships.
• Track record in policy advocacy leadership in land use, housing, climate, or related policy work.
• Proven success in fundraising, including major donors and institutional funders.
• Excellent written and oral communication with officials, media, and the public.
• Strong relationship-building with donors, officials, community leaders and partners.
• Ability to set priorities, learn quickly, and balance strategy with hands-on work.
• Knowledge of nonprofit tech tools such as Little Green Light, Mailchimp, Google Drive, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead LandWatch’s fundraising strategy and execution across major gifts, foundation grants, direct mail, membership, and events.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donor and institutional relationships with Board and staff.
• Set LandWatch's policy strategy and priorities across land use, housing, climate, water, and conservation.
• Oversee budgeting, finances, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Represent LandWatch with elected officials, agencies, media, partners, and the public.
• Lead a small team and work with Board, staff, consultants and coalition partners.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Policy advocacy

Nonprofit management

Board relations

Public speaking

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal communication

Education

Advanced degree in law, planning, public policy, or management

Tools

Little Green Light

Mailchimp

Google Drive

Claude

Job description

LandWatch in Monterey County is seeking an Executive Director to guide policy advocacy, fundraising, and organizational leadership. Reporting to the Board, you will shape strategy, oversee operations and finances, and represent the organization with officials, funders, and the public.

You will lead a small team, collaborate across staff, consultants, and coalition partners, and move between long-range planning and day-to-day execution to advance housing, climate, land use, and conservation goals