President

Founded in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a 501(c)(3) organization, the mission of ESLC is to sustain the Eastern Shore's rich landscapes through strategic land conservation and sound land use planning.

ESLC serves the Upper and Mid-Shore area of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, a region which encompasses beautiful waterfronts on the Chesapeake Bay and its many rivers and creeks, productive grain, vegetable and horse farms, national and state parks. The area served must be viewed in another context as well—it is an integral part of the Delmarva Peninsula, which comprises Delaware, Virginia, as well as the Upper and Mid-Shore.

Over the past 30 years, ESLC has been a regional conservation leader and innovator. The Board of Directors comprise members from Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester counties and offer expertise in law, finance, agriculture, science, government, business, management, and education. ESLC’s 16-member staff work out of the headquarters in Easton in a building that once housed an industrial laundry. ESLC’s annual budget is approximately $1.8 million and the endowment totals more than $6 million. ESLC has a revolving loan fund which totals nearly $6.3 million. An invaluable volunteer force comprises more than 100 members with a current donor base of an additional 600-850 households and businesses.

• For more information about ESLC, please visit the website at: www.eslc.org.

About the Position: President

Working with a dedicated Board of Directors, the President will lead ESLC in continuing to advance the organizations strategic goals. The new President will serve both as the organization’s primary spokesperson and champion the strategic vision of the overall enterprise. Moreover, the new President will be a skilled leader in guiding the staff in addressing key programmatic and organizational outcomes. Because so much of what the President will do involves building and maintaining trust with individual donors, community leaders, federal and state agency leaders, the President must have the presence, judgment, and personal capabilities to operate with a cross section of leaders and individuals from all segments of society.

Responsibilities

What began with a focus on preserving land has expanded to become a regional resource for town planning, coastal and watershed resiliency, and cultural, environmental, and economic sustainability.

The new President will be challenged to meet the following broad goals and responsibilities:

• To provide leadership in evolving and implementing ESLC organizational vision, mission, and strategic priorities.
• To support the development of a vibrant future by continuing to cultivate, expand and make the best use of ESLC’s board, advisory committee, volunteer leaders, staff, and members.
• To continue to broaden and grow the financial base of ESLC, pursuing philanthropic funding sources and other creative sources of revenue for the organization.
• To support the Board in insuring ESLC’s workforce and Board is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible.
• To continue to explore the viability and ideal structure of the Delmarva Oasis Initiative.
• To work with key state and Federal regulatory agencies to support strategic ESLC policies and initiatives.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The President will be a leader who inspires the organization and its partners. The President will possess the skills to lead the organization’s strategic direction and to enhance ESLC’s sources of revenue. The President should be skilled in managing an entrepreneurial enterprise which relies upon its volunteer leaders and science-based communication strategies to advance critical policy and programmatic objectives.

The President is a person who thrives in developing innovative partnerships with nonprofits, corporations, foundations, public policy leaders and individual donors. The new President will project a visionary and strategic mindset and possess a demonstrated capacity to build a highly motivated and empowered staff. The position calls for knowledge about land conservation, farmland and wildlife habitat and experience working with state and Federal regulatory agency leadership.

The President ideally should possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Professional Qualifications:

• A capacity to lead, inspire and mobilize people -- particularly leaders, volunteers, and other supporters -- in advancing the vision of a vibrant, science-based conservation enterprise.
• A management style that is goal oriented, but flexible; that respects the capabilities and independence of volunteers and staff alike but provides them with a clear sense of direction.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program including individual donor, corporate and foundation solicitation, capital campaign activities, and other revenue generating programs.
• Solid experience working with finance in managing budgets, planning for contingencies, and identifying revenue streams.
• Possessing the highest level of personal and professional integrity, quality standards and a strong work ethic often requiring weekend and evening engagements.
• Demonstrated experience working on a bipartisan basis in shaping legislation and policy goals which build science-based solutions to complex and often competing political imperatives.

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate commitment to the values and mission of ESLC and a demonstrated conservation/land ethic.
• Ability to inspire trust, lead and facilitate with strong interpersonal skills and move from ideas to action to results.
• An engaging personal presence, trustworthy and possessing the highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards.
• Personal creativity and strategic vision, coupled with an ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas.
• Ability to think strategically, tactically, and creatively.

Compensation

• Compensation for the President includes a base salary and a package of health and employee benefits.

To Apply

• To be considered please click "Apply" below to email your resume and cover letter responding specifically to the experience and qualifications being sought to: Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company.  
• Refer to ESLC/President in the subject line.
• No phone inquiries please.

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and invites individuals
who bring a diversity of culture, experience, and ideas to apply.

All correspondence will remain confidential.