Strategic General Manager — Open Space Conservation

Berkeley Search Consultants; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 268,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

CalPERS retirement participation

Job summary

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is seeking an accomplished General Manager to lead a public land conservation agency, steward its mission, and strengthen stakeholder partnerships. The role requires directing strategic priorities, managing resources, and ensuring accountable governance with the Board and community.

The candidate will foster leadership across the organization, enhance financial and operational systems, and deliver measurable conservation outcomes for decades to come.

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of experience serving as a General Manager, Executive Director, Deputy General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, or comparable senior executive role in a public land, parks or open space agency.
• Five (5) years of experience in land acquisition, land management, and public access.
• Experience with governing bodies, public funding structures, grants and elected officials.
• Knowledge of California local government regulatory and land use policy environments (CEQA) is desirable.
• Proven ability to strengthen systems, financial infrastructure, leadership capacity, and deliver mission outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and steward a mission‑driven public land conservation agency with accountability to the Board and community.
• Build trusted relationships with elected officials, funders, partners, and stakeholders to advance the agency’s goals.
• Cultivate leadership across the organization and promote shared leadership and ownership.
• Strengthen organizational systems and financial infrastructure to improve operational effectiveness.
• Deliver measurable mission outcomes while maintaining high standards of governance and transparency.

Skills

Leadership experience

Public accountability

Stakeholder relations

Diplomacy

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, planning, resource management, natural sciences, or related field

Master’s degree desirable

Job description

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is seeking an accomplished General Manager to lead a public land conservation agency, steward its mission, and strengthen stakeholder partnerships. The role requires directing strategic priorities, managing resources, and ensuring accountable governance with the Board and community.

The candidate will foster leadership across the organization, enhance financial and operational systems, and deliver measurable conservation outcomes for decades to come.