Coastal Prairie Conservancy · Texas · posted today
The Conservation Director serves as the senior executive responsible for planning, directing, and implementing the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s land conservation programs. Working closely with the President and CEO, the Vice President and General Counsel, and other members of the Executive Leadership Team, the Conservation Director provides leadership for fee land acquisition, conservation easements. The Conservation Director is responsible for translating the organization’s strategic conservation priorities into measurable conservation outcomes by building and leading a highly effective conservation team, establishing priorities, managing resources, and ensuring that conservation projects are completed efficiently, professionally, and in accordance with CPC’s mission and standards. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Conservation Director is responsible for building an organization that consistently delivers excellent conservation outcomes and translates the Board-approved strategic plan into measurable conservation objectives. Success is measured not only by acres protected but by the strength of the conservation team, the effectiveness of project management, the satisfaction of llandowners and partners, and the organization’s ability to achieve increasingly ambitious conservation goals. The Conservation Director exercises leadership through planning, communication, delegation, accountability, and staff development while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. The Conservation Director provides leadership for all land conservation activities undertaken by the organization: Land Conservation Project Leadership The Conservation Director provides executive leadership for CPC’s land protection program: • Oversee the land conservation team and direct all phases of conservation easement and fee acquisition projects. • Assign priorities and allocate staff resources. • Review prospective conservation projects. • Ensure transactions progress efficiently from initial contact through closing. • Coordinate with legal counsel regarding documentation and closing. • Ensure that baseline conditions reports and management plans are prepared for conservation easement projects. • Ensure grant requirements and funding commitments are met. • Keep the President and CEO informed of significant opportunities, risks, and decisions requiring executive involvement. • Maintain accredited status with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and ensure compliance with national standards and practices Conservation Planning The Conservation Director is responsible for ensuring that CPC’s conservation work reflects sound science and strategic planning: • Develop partnerships and relationships with public agency partners, stakeholder groups, and other state and regional environmental agencies • Develop conservation priorities and implementation strategies. • Coordinate landscape-scale conservation planning. • Evaluate ecological, financial, and operational aspects of conservation projects. • Support development of county-based conservation strategies. Staff Leadership The Conservation Director builds and leads a high-performing conservation team: • Encourage new initiatives and develop expertise within the team • Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate conservation staff. • Clearly define priorities, responsibilities, and expectations. • Delegate authority appropriately while maintaining accountability. • Promote teamwork, collaboration, and professional development. • Develop future conservation leaders. • Foster a positive, solutions-oriented work environment. Financial and Project Management The Conservation Director is responsible for managing conservation resources effectively: • Collaborate with development team to secure corporate and private funding for conservation and engage in productive relations to maintain funding support • Develop and implement applications with resource agency partners to secure public funding for conservation. • Establish annual work plans and project schedules. • Monitor project progress and expenditures. • Coordinate grant implementation and reporting. External Relationships The Conservation Director develops strong relationships that support CPC’s conservation mission: • Maintain productive relationships with landowners, conservation partners, agencies, consultants, and technical experts. • Support the President and CEO and the Vice President and General Counsel in major landowner relationships and strategic conservation initiatives. • Represent CPC at technical meetings and professional conferences. • Develop partnerships that strengthen CPC’s conservation capacity. Executive Leadership As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Conservation Director shall: • Participate in organizational planning. • Coordinate conservation activities with other departments. • Recommend improvements to conservation programs. • Assist in developing organizational policies. • Support implementation of Board-approved priorities. • Serve as staff liaison to Land Conservation Committee, including support for reports to CPC’s Board of Directors. • Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and CEO on conservation matters. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate should possess: A bachelor’s degree in the field of natural resources management, wildlife biology, environmental sciences, or land use planning, or related experience. Have five or more years of experience in land conservation, real estate transactions or land use planning; must possess expertise in structuring land deals and due diligence, must have excellent communication and negotiation skills; strong critical thinking skills to find innovative solutions to complex challenges and experienced in partnership development with landowners, contractors, partners, governmental entities and the community. Travel required to visit potential conservation properties and to develop and maintain relationships with agencies, partners, and landowners. Applicant must be willing to work in physically demanding conditions and to walk unassisted through difficult terrain. Applicant may be required to work some evenings and weekends, as necessary, in all weather conditions to perform essential job duties. SALARY AND BENEFITS Health Insurance, Retirement Plan Contribution, paid vacation, and CPC holidays. • As an exempt, salaried employee, no eligibility for overtime. Application Process APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume in a single file PDF to info@coastalprairieconservancy.org with the subject line “Stewardship Manager.” No calls please. Candidate will be required to pass a background check and provide references upon request. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC) is a 501(c)(3) land trust accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. As an equal employment opportunity employer, CPC is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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