Executive Director

Founded in 1990, the Central Indiana Land Trust Incorporated (the Land Trust) works to protect land in Indiana with significant conservation values and connect communities to that land in meaningful ways.

The organization has protected more than 4,000 acres, and has a mission to identify, protect, and steward in perpetuity a significant portion of those remaining lands in its catchment area with meaningful
conservation value.

Position Overview:

The Executive Director sets overarching strategy for the Land Trust; advocates effectively and forcefully for its mission among donors, partners and the broader community; and provides executive oversight for all aspects of Land Trust operations, including staff development, finances, funding and fundraising, programming and stewardship.

Responsibilities:

Organizational Resource Development:

Fund Raising

• The Executive Director is expected to lead the cultivation of relationships with existing and potential donors, and to ensure that these relationships successfully translate into the accomplishment of the organization's unrestricted and restricted fund raising goals through donations. 
• The Executive Director has a portfolio of major donors and is responsible for personally cultivating, soliciting and stewarding these donors. 
• The Executive Director is responsible, in partnership with advancement staff and the Board of Directors, for defining the unrestricted and restricted fundraising and development goals necessary for accomplishing the Land Trust's mission and strategic objectives and for successfully realizing those goals. 

Advocacy

• The Executive Director is responsible for effectively advocating for the mission of the Land Trust among donors, partners, agencies, the media and the broader community.
• The Executive Director must have the skills and experience to communicate effectively and compellingly with these stakeholders, create long-term partnerships, and successfully solicit their assistance in helping the Land Trust meet its funding, land protection and programming goals.

Organizational Leadership:

Strategic and Annual Work Planning

• The Executive Director leads strategic planning efforts that provide direction to ensure the Land Trust accomplishes its growth goals and remains a stable, viable entity that is in a position to carry out its mission. 
• The Executive Director presents to the Board of Directors, for its approval, a program of work for each fiscal year supported by a plan for the financial implementation of proposed programs. 
• The Executive Director oversees the implementation of the program of work and regularly reports to the Board metrics that enable the Board to evaluate the status of operations and programs of work. 

Policy Development

• The Executive Director is responsible for guiding the Board in policy development to ensure a successful future for the Land Trust and its programs, and to ensure compliance with all applicable Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices. 
• The Executive Director will ensure that policies, processes, procedures and work practices are derived and implemented consistent with maintenance of Land Trust Alliance Accreditation.

Executive Oversight:

Conservation Leadership

• The Executive Director is responsible, in partnership with conservation staff, for the Land Trust's land protection and stewardship programs. 
• This includes developing and implementing the Land Trust's conservation vision and overseeing land protection projects. 
• The Executive Director will have a significant understanding of conservation principles, including the ability to identify, protect, manage and defend potential properties or existing nature preserves and conservation easements. 
• The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that all applicable processes related to land acquisitions are conducted in accordance with the policies and by-laws of the Land Trust. 

Supervision of Staff and Programs 

• The Executive Director is responsible for the successful hiring and management of staff to meet work goals within the constraints of the organization's budget. 
• This includes overseeing the work of conservation and stewardship staff and relevant Board committees in implementing land protection priorities, strategies and site management objectives; and the work of advancement staff and relevant Board committees in implementing fundraising, marketing, community outreach, communications, and partnership plans. 
• The Executive Director is responsible for mid-year and year-end staff performance evaluations annually. 

Property Management 

• The Land Trust owns and manages land throughout Central Indiana. The Executive Director is responsible for the proper management of these properties so that their conservation value is protected and enhanced in perpetuity. 

Operations 

• The Executive Director is responsible for providing support to the President of the Board of Directors, and for the management of the day-to-day operations of the Land Trust. 
• These responsibilities include, among others: the review and management all RFP's, contracts and agreements for the Land Trust; insurance policies; property tax records; designing and administering staff benefit plans; overseeing financial transactions including deposits and payments; and preparing for and attending Board of Directors, relevant Board Committee, and other meetings related to the key activities of the Land Trust. 

Qualifications:

Education requirements:

• Master's Degree, or Bachelor's Degree with significant experience and proven track record of results in applicable roles. 

Specific knowledge/skills/experience:

• A genuine enthusiasm for conservation and, in particular, the mission, goals and values of the Central Indiana Land Trust Incorporated. 
• Successful history of advocacy, effective partnership cultivation, and fundraising. 
• Strong marketing, public relations, and media communications skills; 
• History of success in creating awareness of and creating advocates for an organizational mission and its programming. 
• Strong organizational skills and managerial experience: ability to manage multiple priorities seamlessly, delegate effectively, and motivate and develop staff.
• 5 or more years' experience in a leadership role, preferably in a non-profit environment.
• Supervisory experience required. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in budgeting and other matters related to the financial management of a complex entity.
• Exceptional skills in written and oral communications, including public speaking.
• Experience in land conservation and stewardship is preferred. 
• A familiarity with Indiana's natural communities of plants and animals is desirable. 

Working Conditions:

• Office and outdoors (all seasons). 

Physical Requirements: 

Ability to walk up to several miles per day over rough terrain in year- round weather conditions.

Travel:

• Must possess reliable transportation for visiting properties throughout Land Trust's service area. 
• Occasional travel out of state required. 

Compensation: Salaried, no overtime.

To Apply:

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to submit your cover letter and resume.  

No phone calls please.