Senior Director of Land Protection

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a state-wide nonprofit land conservation organization protecting and caring for Maine’s iconic coast and guiding state and national conservation movements. Maine Coast Heritage Trust advances the conservation of lands and waters to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. We work to ensure a future Maine with coastlines, waters, and woods full of life; where all people and communities are engaged in the outdoors and actively protect and care for the lands and waters that sustain us; and where functioning natural systems support vibrant communities and economies.

We are seeking a dynamic and inspirational Senior Director of Land Protection to provide oversight of all land protection efforts at Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT). As a key member of MCHT’s leadership team, you will also help shape the strategic direction and vision for the organization, sustaining MCHT’s overall organizational health and ensuring its management, operations, strategy, and culture are aligned.

We’re searching for someone with a deep well of land protection and conservation planning expertise to lead a talented and high-performing team of professionals to ensure the development and advancement of MCHT’s strategic conservation planning and priority land protection activities. This includes comprehensive planning efforts requiring leadership and collaboration with a broad array of state and local partners.

Exceptional relationship-building skills are a must, as you’ll collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop fundraising and visibility efforts in support of priority land transactions. Your ability to communicate with a wide range of people will support you in representing MCHT at local, regional, state and national levels as well acting as a spokesperson with the media and at public events.

We’re looking for someone who embodies a genuine passion for our mission at MCHT – conserving lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. Your enthusiasm for our cause should be infectious, extending not only to our mission but also to the core values that define us as an organization.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact, join us in our mission as we work towards a vibrant and healthy future for Maine.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Organizational Leadership & Management:

• Shapes the strategic direction and vision for the organization, in collaboration with the President & CEO and the other members of the leadership team;
• Works closely with the other members of the MCHT leadership team to define organizational priorities, develop the organization’s annual workplan and budget proposal for Board review and approval, and ensure collaboration and coordination across departments;
• Develops and monitors the department’s annual workplans and budget in collaboration with department managers and staff;
• Represents MCHT and conservation priorities at local, regional, state, and national levels. Acts as spokesperson with the media and at industry and public events;
• Oversees and manages Land Protection team managers across all office locations, setting and communicating clear goals and objectives, actively partnering with staff to identify and address challenges, and ensuring responsibilities are carried out in an effective and timely manner;
• Develops Board agendas and presentations in collaboration with the President & CEO, relevant Committee Chairs, and members of the leadership team, communicating regularly with the Board regarding land protection activities, including conservation planning initiatives and land acquisition projects;
• Leads and manages the Land Protection department, providing coaching, directing work, evaluating employee and team performance, and facilitating teambuilding and professional development opportunities;
• Staffs the Board Land Protection Committee and ensures land protection efforts are conducted in collaboration with the President & CEO and the Land Protection Board Committee Chair, including the setting of agendas, and actively participates in efforts to recruit, onboard, engage, and strengthen relationships with Land Protection Committee members;
• Acts as a role model and ambassador for MCHT, demonstrating its values internally and externally and leading by example; and
• Takes on special projects and other duties as required or assigned by the President & CEO.

Departmental Leadership & Management:

• Acts as chief strategist for all department activities, establishing direction and high-level expectations, overseeing planning and implementation of related efforts, tracking impact, and ensuring coordination and collaboration with relevant Board committees, external stakeholders, the MCHT leadership team, and other departments;
• Responsible for the final evaluation, prioritization, and recommendation of potential land acquisition projects that support MCHT’s strategic goals and objectives to the MCHT Board for approval, in coordination with the President & CEO and the Land Protection Committee;
• Oversees and directs a team working closely with private landowners, corporations, and conservation partners to seek conservation easements, fee acquisitions, and other interests in land through the use of traditional and innovative land conservation tools;
• Oversees land protection transactions from start to finish, determining the appropriate role of MCHT and any partners, and including the development and negotiation of documents such as maps, project summaries, contracts, budgets, grants, and conservation easements;
• Actively supports and helps develop fundraising and visibility efforts in support of conservation planning and priority land transactions, and ensures department staff work closely with Stewardship, Communications & Philanthropy, and Finance & Administration to support public and private fundraising efforts, as well as estimating, generating, managing, and tracking resources for the purposes of MCHT’s land protection and stewardship efforts;
• Establishes and ensures adherence to policies and procedures pertaining to land protection and strategic conservation planning, maintaining consistency with applicable standards and practices;
• Oversees the development and submission of grant applications for federal and state funding related to land acquisition projects for MCHT and conservation partners in Maine;
• Oversees the work of Conservation Limited Development, LLC, an affiliate group of MCHT established to handle real estate and assist with land projects as directed by MCHT; and
• Directs or manages complex legal issues related to land protection projects in coordination with MCHT’s General Counsel and relevant staff, including the President & CEO as warranted.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

The Senior Director of Land Protection is responsible for setting the tone for the Land Protection department, fostering an environment that supports new ideas, encourages learning, embraces productive debate, and invests in the evolution and health of the organization and its people. Direct reports include the Associate Director of Planning, Associate Directors of Land Protection, and multiple administrative support positions. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing and hiring, onboarding, training and development, performance management, conflict resolution, and teambuilding.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in a land protection or organizational management related field with seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in direct land protection and/or non-profit management and administration or the equivalent in work experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
• High emotional intelligence and a demonstrated ability to work easily and effectively with a wide range of people, including major donors, corporate executives, foundation leaders, volunteers, news media, leaders of private conservation organizations, local community members, and fellow staff members
• Proven leadership qualities with the ability to inspire, motivate, manage, and empower a staff of professionals
• Significant experience and success in conservation transactions, including community-based projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience with complex financing structures for conservation projects
• Demonstrated understanding of land conservation stewardship issues
• Demonstrated experience and success with fundraising from individuals, foundations, and public sources
• Excellent writing, speaking, leadership, and organizational skills
• Comfort and effectiveness working in a group as well as independently

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc. Operates computer, printer, photocopier, and basic office equipment. Work requires extended sitting and repetitive motion in the use of computer, keyboard, and mouse. Some field work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions and requires occasional heavy lifting, boat travel, and other physical work.

MCHT has offices in Topsham, Rockport, MDI and Whiting, Maine. The location of this position is flexible. Regular travel to offices statewide is expected. Also requires occasional travel and work on weekends and evenings.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a generous benefits package including insurance, vacation and sick time, 14 paid holidays and a retirement plan. The annual starting salary range for this role is $122,000 to $150,000 and will depend upon experience.

To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and passion for our mission to search@mcht.org by May 5, 2025. Please use “Senior Director of LP” in the subject line.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.