Southern California Director

Founded in 1972, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the only national nonprofit organization working exclusively to protect land for human enjoyment and well-being. TPL helps conserve land for recreation and spiritual nourishment and to improve the health and quality of life for American communities. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Southern California Director (SCD) is expected to be an effective and inspiring leader and to carry out the mission of the organization in an imaginative and effective way throughout the Southern California Region of the Western Regional Office (WRO) of the Trust for Public Land (TPL). The SCD will be located in the Los Angeles Field Office. The SCD reports to the Director of Projects for the Western Region.

Essential Functions:

• The SCD will oversee and expand TPL's land conservation work in the greater southern California region, combining urban and natural lands programs. The SCD will be responsible for managing and supervising program and project staff with a portfolio that includes acquisition and programs to protect wildlife habitat and public open space, development of community parks, including importantly the Los Angeles Parks for People Initiative, preservation of culturally significant places, and the preservation of agricultural lands (including conservation easements).
• The SCD will supervise and manage project staff in the acquisition of land and its conveyance to public agencies or other nonprofit organizations. To achieve these goals, the SCD will help build local constituencies and strong relationships with community leaders, elected officials, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, landowners, Native American tribes, and foundation, corporate, and individual donors.
• The SCD will play a leadership role in promoting and publicly leading philanthropic initiatives within southern California, directly coordinating with the Southern California Director of Development (DoD). Together the SCD and the DoD will coordinate with theWRO's development, public affairs, and government affairs staff. The SCD will provide over supervision of the development of a regional strategic vision, identification of private and public fundraising sources, relationship management of advisory board members and key major gift donors, and cultivation and solicitation of those individuals or institutions.
• The SCD will provide supervision and mentoring for project staff in all aspects of real estate practices, land conservation policy, public finance, and government finance. The SCD will supervise a staff of project managers and project associates located in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and work closely with development and legal staff. The SCD will coordinate closely with the Director of Projects, the Regional Director and other senior managers in the WRO, who are located in San Francisco. The annual operating budget for the program is approximately $1.2 to $1.5 million.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Maintain and grow TPL's land conservation program in Southern California.
• Supervise project staff and oversee their work; assist with training of project and program staff.
• Manage project portfolio and further develop projects pipeline, supervising all phases of land conservation transactions, including project selection, and complex real estate negotiations.
• Identify and secure funding and permanent stewards for land conservation projects.
• Develop a Regional Strategic Plan, developing and implementing a compelling vision for the region and work collaboratively with our staff, volunteer leaders, and partners to accomplish it.
• Provide leadership in strategic planning sessions, budget preparation, and development and fundraising efforts.
• Communicate the importance and meaning of TPL's mission to donors, prospective supporters, government officials, agency heads and non-profit partners.
• Nurture and expand key political, fundraising, landowner, and community relationships to implement our conservation and urban park vision for the region.
• Play major role in generating revenue for TPL through transactions and fundraising, developing new business opportunities and identifying development needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree; graduate degree desirable
• 5-8 years of project management, real estate transactions, and/or conservation project related experience
• 3-5 years successful management experience.
• Sound understanding of real property, tax law and land use planning techniques.
• Experience with obtaining public, private, foundation and corporate funding.
• Familiarity with the diverse communities within Southern California, including local issues, agecncies, and local politics.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, energy, and the capacity to lead, mentor and inspire others, with common sense and humor.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent organizational skills; excellent people skills.
• An ability and willingness to travel on a regular, recurring basis, and to work flexible hours.
• A passionate commitment to TPL's mission of conserving land for people.

Please email or mail letter and resume. (Job #609A)

The Trust for Public Land
Attn: Glinda Potts
116 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105