Executive Director - Policy, Fundraising & Impact (Remote)

Skoll; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

LandWatch is seeking an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership for a regional nonprofit focused on sustainable growth, housing, climate, and land use in Monterey County. The ED reports to the Board, leads policy and advocacy, oversees finances, fundraising, and external relations, and guides a small team toward implementing long-term priorities.

Based in Monterey County, the ED will collaborate with elected officials, funders, and communities to advance thoughtful development, ensure

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading or managing a nonprofit or mission-driven organization, including responsibility for budgets, staff, and board relationships.
• A track record of policy advocacy leadership, ideally in land use, housing, climate, environmental, or related public-interest policy work.
• Demonstrated success leading fundraising efforts, including cultivation and stewardship of major donors, institutional funders, and other supporters.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to represent an organization effectively with elected officials, agency staff, the media, and the public.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort engaging with donors, elected officials, community leaders, partners, and people with differing perspectives.
• Strong judgment, curiosity, and initiative, with the ability to set priorities, learn quickly, and move comfortably between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit management technologies, including Little Green Light, Mailchimp, Google Drive, and Claude, or similar technologies.

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, working closely with the Board and staff.
• Work with the Board to strengthen and sustain the funding base needed to support LandWatch’s programs and long-term financial health.
• Set LandWatch’s policy strategy and priorities across land use, housing, climate, water, and conservation issues, in consultation with the Board and staff.
• Identify and prioritize emerging policy opportunities, balancing ongoing commitments with changing political, regulatory, and community needs.
• Direct the organization’s use of the full range of advocacy tools, including public comment and testimony, coalition-building, grassroots organizing, ballot measures, and litigation, to advance LandWatch’s mission.
• Serve as LandWatch’s principal spokesperson and the public face of its policy positions before decisionmakers, the media, and the community.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the technical, legal, and regulatory issues central to LandWatch’s work, including California land use, housing, climate, water, and environmental law, as well as relevant local and regional government institutions.
• Prepare LandWatch’s annual budget for Board review and approval, and oversee financial management and operations within the approved budget.
• Oversee bookkeeping, financial reporting, and compliance with applicable corporate, tax, and nonprofit requirements.
• Ensure appropriate financial, operational, and organizational systems and records are maintained.
• Work in close partnership with the Board of Directors to set strategy, support effective governance, staff board committees, and provide regular updates on organizational performance.
• Support Board recruitment and development.
• Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate LandWatch staff and consultants and strengthen organizational capacity over time to support evolving priorities.
• Foster an organizational culture that supports staff effectiveness, collaboration and continuity.
• Build and sustain relationships with local and regional elected officials, agency staff, developers, coalition partners, and community organizations across Monterey County.
• Represent LandWatch in the media and through public presentations, publications, and digital communications.
• Deepen LandWatch’s relationships with communities historically underrepresented in land use, housing, and environmental decision-making.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Fundraising leadership

Policy advocacy

Public speaking

Relationship building

Strategy execution

Staff management

Education

Advanced degree (law, planning, public policy, management)

Tools

Little Green Light

Mailchimp

Google Drive

Claude

Job description

LandWatch is seeking an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership for a regional nonprofit focused on sustainable growth, housing, climate, and land use in Monterey County. The ED reports to the Board, leads policy and advocacy, oversees finances, fundraising, and external relations, and guides a small team toward implementing long-term priorities.

Based in Monterey County, the ED will collaborate with elected officials, funders, and communities to advance thoughtful development, ensure