Executive Director

~ The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) was founded in 1988 as a not-for-profit land trust dedicated to working with willing landowners and other partners to protect the world-renowned water quality of Lake George and to permanently preserve the natural, scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Lake George region. ~

LGLC uses progressive conservation strategies to work with landowners, government officials and supporters aimed at securing the protection of special natural places for future generations to enjoy. The organization is governed by a 23-member volunteer Board of Directors.

Since its inception, LGLC's land protection program has permanently protected more than 13,040 acres of Lake George wilderness and 49,517 feet of shoreline through fee purchases, land donations and the establishment of conservation easements. LGLC currently maintains nine parks and preserves that are open to the public year-round with more than 22 miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and at some preserves, hunting and snowmobiling.

In addition to its land protection program, LGLC's other key programs include: 

• Land stewardship, including the monitoring and management of Preserves and other protected properties;
• Public outreach and communications, through which LGLC offers free public hikes and educational seminars on local natural history, and develops interpretive materials for display and for public speaking opportunities; and
• LGLC's volunteer program which recruits and trains volunteers to fill a variety of roles including as dedicated Preserve Stewards. 

Position Overview

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the organization and leads a staff of five employees as well as multiple interns, contractors and consultants.

Within operating guidelines from the Board, the Executive Director develops and recommends to the Board strategic objectives and annual operating plans designed to realize LGLC's mission.

The Executive Director manages all aspects of an IRS 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Responsibilities include program implementation, advocacy, fundraising, outreach, promotion and publishing, as well as legal compliance and staff management. 

Responsibilities 

Essential Functions: 

• The Executive Director directs and manages the Conservancy's program and assures its capacity to effectively protect priority conservation sites in the area. 
• This includes developing and implementing short and long-range conservation objectives, raising capital and operating funds and providing leadership and management to Conservancy staff working to accomplish these objectives. 
• The Executive Director must cultivate cooperative working partnerships with the Board, volunteers, citizens, corporations, educational institutions, government and private agencies and other conservation partners.
• The Executive Director must be willing and able to travel to and attend to his/her duties at the Conservancy's headquarters, personally attend fund raising and other meetings outside the office, occasionally travel to out-of-town meetings and personally visit properties that are owned and managed by the Conservancy or part of the Conservancy's future plans within the Lake George watershed.

Complexity / Problem Solving: 

• Proposes and implements procedures to enhance overall performance in accordance with short and long term objectives.
• Performs highly diversified work involving the formulation and evaluation of broad policies and/or long-term programs which typically have broad organizational impact.
• Directs major program of strategic importance to the Conservancy through management of multi-disciplinary teams.

Discretion / Latitude / Decision-Making: 

• Has broad latitude to make decisions and take actions within parameters established by policy or Board directives.
• Has authority to make decisions that may affect the organization's public image or have significant financial or legal implications.
• Exercises sound judgment when deciding when to seek Board input and guidance when making important decisions.

Responsibility / Oversight - Financial & Supervisory: 

• Exercises broad management and leadership responsibility. 
• Recruits, retains, and manages high quality and effective staff.
• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits major donors in support of program activities.
• Has overall responsibility for financial management of program, including setting financial goals, analyzing results, and taking corrective actions.
• Ensures that programmatic commitments, financial standards, and legal requirements are met. 

Communications / Interpersonal Contacts: 

• Possess superb communication and presentation skills and the ability to persuasively convey the mission of LGLC to diverse groups including major donors, corporate executives, board members and others who are critical to the organization's overall prosperity.
• Creates and communicates a compelling vision and practices the Conservancy's core values.
• Is able to effectively communicate by means of text, email and common forms of written and verbal communication.
• Cultivates and develops constructive and effective relationships inside and outside the Conservancy. 

Working Conditions / Physical Effort: 

• Willingness to travel to various meetings in and out of conservation area.
• Flexibility to work long hours during deadline periods.
• Work requires some physical exertion and the ability to walk over uneven and hilly terrain to view current and prospective Conservancy properties.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements. 

• Bachelor's degree and at least 7 years relevant experience, including as a manager of professional staff.
• Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in conservation, government relations, fund raising and non-profit management.
• Demonstrated success in raising funds for multi-million dollar projects from private donors to family foundations.
• Demonstrated success in obtaining grants from foundations and other organizations.
• Proven ability to work with a large Board of Directors.
• Strong familiarity with accounting practices, audits, and annual reports.
• Extensive knowledge of purchasing and selling land, conservation easements and stewardship of land for conservation purposes.
• Demonstrated success as a negotiator with landowners for acquiring land.
• Knowledge of local, regional and state regulations for subdivision of land.
• Knowledge of the Standards and Practices required to maintain accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance. 

Compensation: Salary is negotiable and commensurate with qualifications and experience; benefits include medical and dental insurance, life insurance, and retirement plan programs.

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your résumé with cover letter to Cornelia Wells, Finance and Office Manager.