Senior Conservation Project Manager

Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust; Athol (MA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Finance and Administration Manager to lead complex land protection projects. This role involves building relationships with deedholders and managing project budgets while ensuring compliance with Land Trust Alliance Standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in land conservation, excellent communication skills, and a passion for community engagement. With a hybrid work model and generous benefits, this position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in conservation efforts. Join a team dedicated to equity and justice in land conservation.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Simple IRA Retirement Contribution

Five Weeks Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Week

Sabbatical Policy

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in land conservation or related field.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Experience with conservation transactions and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead land protection projects and coordinate due diligence activities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with deedholders.
• Write and manage grants in collaboration with the Development Team.

Skills

Land Conservation

Project Management

Communication Skills

Relationship Building

Grant Writing

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science

Bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

ESRI Products (ArcMap, ArcPro, ArcGIS Online)

Landscape Conservation Software

Job description

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Finance and Administration Manager at Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust

Job Summary

The Senior Conservation Project Manager reports to the Conservation Director and is a key member of the Conservation Team. This role is focused on leading complex land protection projects—including fee acquisitions and conservation easements—from initial landowner engagement through closing. A central component of this role is building and maintaining relationships with deedholders, ensuring a high level of trust and partnership throughout the project process.

While this position does not supervise staff, the Senior Project Manager will mentor less experienced colleagues and contribute to grant writing and fundraising in support of conservation efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

·Lead land protection projects in accordance with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices

·Coordinate due diligence activities including appraisals, title work, and environmental assessments

·Prepare project budgets and maps; manage documentation and timelines

·Negotiate terms with landowners and work with legal counsel to draft conservation restrictions and other legal documents

·Work closely with the Stewardship Team to ensure a smooth project handoff post-acquisition

·Partner & Community Engagement

·Develop and steward strong, trust-based relationships with deedholders

·Build and maintain connections with municipal boards, state agencies, Indigenous partners, land trusts, and other stakeholders

·Collaborate with the Land Justice Team to ensure conservation efforts are aligned with equity and justice principles, and to build meaningful partnerships with Indigenous and historically marginalized communities

·Represent Mount Grace at meetings, community events, and site visits with deedholders to discuss conservation opportunities and build relationships

·Serve as a mentor and resource for junior conservation staff

·Identify and pursue project funding opportunities

·Write and manage grants in collaboration with the Development Team—including grants from Mass EEA (e.g., Conservation Partnership Grants, LAND, APR) and private foundations like Mass Audubon

·Track project budgets, grant timelines, and reporting requirements

Qualifications

Required

·3–5 years of experience in land conservation or related field

·Bachelor's degree in natural resources, environmental science, land use planning, or related discipline

·Demonstrated experience with conservation transactions and deedholder negotiation

·Strong relationship-building and communication skills, especially with deedholders

·Excellent organizational and time-management abilities

·Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite

Preferred

·Experience with conservation grant writing and reporting

·Familiarity with ESRI products such as ArcMap, ArcPro, or ArcGIS Online

·Experience using Landscape conservation software or similar land conservation databases

·Knowledge of land conservation funding sources in Massachusetts

Other Requirements

·Willingness to travel within our 23-town service area for project site visits

·Occasional evening or weekend meetings or events

·Interest in continued learning—Mount Grace supports professional development opportunities

·Salary range: $60,000 – $75,000 per year, commensurate with experience

·36-hour flexible work week

·Five weeks of Paid Time Off

·Hybrid work model with 2–3 days/week expected in the Athol office

·Health insurance, Simple IRA retirement contribution, and sabbatical policy

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter to [e-mail]

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Project Management and Information Technology

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