Land Conservation Director

Buzzards Bay Coalition; New Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance contributions

401(k) Retirement plan

Access to supplemental benefits

Job summary

Buzzards Bay Coalition in New Bedford seeks a Land Conservation Director to lead a team focused on land protection projects. This highly collaborative role involves project management, team leadership, and public representation to advance conservation efforts in the Bay's watershed.

The ideal candidate has extensive real estate project development experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for land conservation. Benefits include health insurance contributions and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience managing land protection projects.
• Knowledge of conservation tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Land Conservation team.
• Develop funding strategies for projects.
• Manage relationships with landowners and partners.

Skills

Project management

Real estate project development

Strong communication

Collaboration

Strategic planning

Job description

Buzzards Bay Coalition (BBC) seeks an experienced real estate professional with strong project and program management abilities to lead our Land Conservation team helping to increase the pace of implementation of land conservation projects in the Bay’s watershed.

The Land Conservation Director is responsible for leading a team that advances a strategic portfolio of land protection projects (including acquisitions and conveyances of conservation easements/restriction and fee simple interests) through effective landowner communications, strong partner relationships, diversified project financing plans and project execution.

Managing a team of professionals and working closely with the Vice President of Watershed Protection, the Land Conservation Director ensures that land protection projects are thoughtfully developed, appropriately funded, and effectively executed and expedited from initial inquiry through closing and long-term stewardship coordination. This is a highly collaborative, externally-facing leadership role that combines project development and execution, fundraising, public representation, and team management (including BBC staff, as well as external attorneys and other consultants) in service of advancing BBC’s mission and strategic goals.

We seek a highly motivated individual with professional experience in real estate project development/execution, team management and project financing that has a passion for mission-driven land conservation. The position will be based at the Coalition’s New Bedford office headquarters with regional travel throughout Southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island and required attendance at some evening meetings.

Responsibilities Include

Landowner Engagement & Project Development

• Build and maintain relationships with landowners and partners.
• Serve as primary point of contact with private landowners for land protection inquiries.
• Conduct initial project evaluations and site visits.
• Collaborate with VP of Watershed Protection and President on project negotiations and project development.
• Advance a portfolio projects from concept through successful closing.
• Develop/maintain plans and schedules to complete real estate projects to meet target timelines and closing dates.
• Develop and maintain relationships with necessary outside contractors, including real estate attorneys, that will support project needs.
• Work to advance and lead staff team and outside contractors to complete all necessary project due diligence to meet project schedules.
• Drafting, reviewing and supervising the completion of documents necessary to support project advancement including Purchase and Sales Agreements, Conservation Easements/Restrictions, Easements, leases, etc.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external requirements, including accepted industry standards and practices.
• Coordinate with team to implement complex transactions, including creative problem solving.
• Work to and coordinate with staff and contractors including external attorneys to complete all scheduled real estate project closings.
• Oversight of staff conducting annual conservation property monitoring and necessary conservation defense activities.
• Coordinate with others in development of appropriate, effective and practical conservation property land management plans.

Funding Strategy & Grant Funding Development

• Develop funding strategies for projects, in coordination with VP of Watershed Protection.
• Identify and pursue funding sources including loans, grants, private contributions and limited development resales.
• Lead team and contractors to secure municipal approvals for and implement limited development and limited resale strategies as part of implementation of complex project funding plans.
• Lead grant writing and submissions.
• Work with internal and external teams to manage availability of funding to meet needs of closings and repayment of loans.

Public Representation & Municipal/Partner Coordination

• Communicate project benefits and approach effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Represent BBC at Select Boards, Conservation Commissions, Town Meetings, etc.
• Lead local approval processes and community outreach.
• Lead coordination with local, state and federal agency officials.

Portfolio/Pipeline and Program Management

• Maintain development, oversight and advancement of project pipeline.
• Manage tracking systems and documentation/record keeping, including for various internal/external reports and compliance with Land Trust Accreditation Commission Requirements.
• Coordinate multiple simultaneous project budgets and schedules/timelines to efficiently manage overall portfolio.
• Ensure quality while driving expediency across projects.
• Supervise and mentor staff to complete projects and advance program work plans.
• Foster motivation, collaboration and team culture.
• Collaborate with leadership and team on strategy.
• Coordinate team to maintain quality and efficiency.

Governance & Committee Support

• Support preparation of committee and Board reporting and meeting agenda materials.
• Track approvals.
• Make presentations regarding projects and program as needed.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience managing land protection projects.
• Knowledge of conservation tools.
• Strong communicator and relationship builder.
• Strategic and organized.
• Collaborative leader.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts programs related to land conservation.
• Supervisory experience.

Benefits including employer contributions towards Health Insurance and 401(k) Retirement plan and access to supplemental benefits.

To Apply

The position is available immediately. Please send a resume and cover letter by email, to: Brendan Annett, Vice-President, Watershed Protection [e-mail]

Buzzards Bay Coalition is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or veteran status.