Executive Director at GOLDEN STATE LAND CONSERVANCY INCORPORATED in Sebastopol, California

Job Description:

Golden State Land Conservancy's Mission

Ensure the future legacy of California's diverse landscapes of vital habitats and

ecosystems through development of creative, forward-looking conservation solutions.

About Golden State Land Conservancy and The Opportunity

The Golden State Land Conservancy (GSLC) is currently searching for its next

Executive Director. GSLC is dedicated to meeting California's unmet conservation

needs in a state where environmental protection and enhancement are major priorities

for the public. GSLC is one of the 450+ land trusts accredited nationwide by the Land

Trust Accreditation Commission and has been approved to hold mitigation lands by the

US Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and

the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Utilizing the wide range of conservation tools available, GSLC develops creative

conservation solutions to land management, stewardship, and conservatorship. With 79

projects statewide, including protected habitats, ranch land, carbon sequestered forests,

rangeland, open space, public access trails, riparian areas, historical gardens, and

scenic vistas, GSLC protects over 35,000 acres of California's diverse landscape.

GSLC's current Executive Director, Marc Deprey, is retiring after 14 years of developing

GSLC's approach to meeting California's changing conservation needs. It's an exciting

time for GSLC and for the next Executive Director. GSLC will complete its current

strategic plan this year. The new Executive Director will be poised to evaluate GSLC's

progress towards the strategic plan with the board and staff and proceed to develop a

new strategic plan looking towards the future of GSLC.

The next Executive Director will play a key role in strengthening and diversifying funding

streams. While GSLC has financial stability, philanthropic support and other revenue

need to increase to support capacity and staff increases. Building and strengthening

partnerships and alliances will also be an important goal.

The position is currently based in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, CA until May 31, 2025.

After that date a new office will be needed, and it can be based anywhere in the San

Francisco North Bay counties of Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Solano. This

position is hybrid with a requirement to be in the office at least 2 days per week.

The new Executive Director should see the big picture, be a visionary and an

entrepreneur, and see GSLC's place in it. The future for GSLC is bright!

For more information about Golden State Land Conservancy, please visit https://gslc.us

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership and Management

? Lead the organization in the development and implementation of long-term vision,

strategies, and goals

? Manage all aspects of operations including land acquisition and stewardship

? Oversee all programs, financial management, communications, fundraising, and

administration

? Manage and inspire staff, leading the team toward the organization's mission

? Foster an organizational culture of shared conservation values, innovative thinking,

accountability, and collaboration

? Maintain an effective and collaborative working relationship with the Board of

Directors as a whole and with individual board members

? Present organizational progress reports to the Board of Directors

? Serve as a compelling spokesperson and ambassador for GSLC's vision, strategy,

and programs among board, staff, key stakeholders, and the community at large

? Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with donors, funders, peer organizations,

and government agencies

? Ensure that Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices are met in all activities to

maintain accreditation

Fiscal Management

? Develop, manage, and monitor organizational budget in partnership with the Board

of Directors

? Monitor the performance of investment accounts and update the Board of Directors

on a regular basis

? Ensure that revenue goals are met, and resources are leveraged and optimized

? Meet IRS public support income test for continued status as public foundation

Strategic Planning

? Develop and execute a strategic plan in conjunction with the Board of Directors

Project Acquisition

? Ensure that Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices for evaluation, selecting, and

implementing conservation projects are meet

? Maintain a positive reputation among state and federal regulatory agencies

Stewardship

? Ensure that Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices for conservation easement

stewardship are met

? Meet all regulatory requirements regarding Land Management responsibilities

Fundraising

? Deepen and expand relationships with diverse funding sources, including public

agencies, foundations, corporations, and individual donors

Professional Experience/Qualifications

Experience:

? Experience in a senior leadership role including staff management

? Fiscal accountability with a proven track record of managing budgets with multiple

funding sources

? Experience managing organizations or departments with multiple programs

? Strong experience developing and executing strategy and vision for an organization

? Experience with and/or knowledge of conservation easements

? Experience with and/or knowledge of mitigation

? Track record of building relationships and working effectively with partners, funders,

business leaders, and the community

? Demonstrated experience inspiring, developing, and retaining staff

Skills:

? Understanding and appreciation of conservation values, habitat restoration, and

stewardship

? Familiarity with natural resource protection, including the principals of ecology and

conservation biology

? Outstanding communicator with excellent speaking, writing, and listening skills

? Ability to publicly advocate on behalf of GSLC

? Strong organizational skills and a business orientation that leverages and optimizes

resources

? Big picture thinker in terms of diversifying funding streams

? Ability to develop and maintain relationships with funders, government agencies, and

internal and external stakeholders

? Ability to manage change through a transition and/or transformation

? Familiarity and understanding of California environmental issues

? Familiarity with natural resource protection, including the principles of ecology and

conservation biology

Personal Characteristics:

? A leader who enjoys being the public face of an organization

? Problem solver who is comfortable making tough decisions and communicating them

with transparency

? High degree of emotional intelligence

Highly Preferred:

? Experience in nonprofit organizations

Preferred:

? Executive Director experience

? Direct experience working with and/or reporting to a board of directors

? Experience developing alliances and partnerships

? Comfortable and willing to make gift solicitations

? Familiarity and understanding of California regulatory issues

? Knowledge of funders and donors engaged in conservation philanthropy in California

Compensation

The salary range is $140,000 to $160,000 and will include a benefits package.

Relocation support is negotiable.

TO APPLY

Solid Ground Consulting is conducting this search on an exclusive basis on behalf of

GSLC. Interested candidates should apply via email by sending a resume and a letter

outlining qualifications as PDF or Word documents to Stacey Konner at

stacey@solidgroundconsulting.com with "GSLC Executive Director" in the subject line.

Application deadline is September 20, 2024. Apply Now