Director, Land Protection Program

The Director of the Land Protection Program oversees Natural Lands’ Land Protection team, which is engaged primarily in land and conservation easement acquisitions. The position requires oversight of Land Protection program staff and coordination of all land protection efforts throughout Natural Lands’ service area, as well as completing all or portions of land transactions. This position will also work with and on behalf of municipal clients to assist in open space ballot referenda promotion and development, as well as in support of municipal open space priorities for fee, conservation easement, and trail easement acquisitions. The position requires extensive communication with landowners and their advisors, government and nonprofit partners, funders, and with Natural Lands’ staff, consultants, and legal advisors. The position requires knowledge of real estate transactions, due diligence requirements, Land Trust Alliance standards and practices, land management practices, and natural resources.

The Land Protection Program Director oversees the Land Protection Project Manager positions and works closely with the Senior Director of Land Conservation, Senior Advisor of Land Protection, and the Conservation Records Coordinator.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Oversee the Land Protection Project Managers and coordinate all land protection efforts, including team meetings, workflow, funding strategies, and adherence to Land Trust Alliance standards and practices.
• Responsible for maintaining, updating, and improving internal processes, guidelines, document templates, and landowner materials for land transactions and associated due diligence.
• Responsible for land and conservation easement acquisition project requirements, including advising Land Protection Project Managers and assisting senior staff with:
  • Reviewing landowner requests and opportunities with program staff and informed by strategic planning priorities
  • Meeting with prospective landowners to discuss conservation options
  • Drafting and reviewing landowner and client proposals
  • Drafting, reviewing and negotiating real estate sales contracts with landowners and funders, with assistance from senior staff and legal counsel
  • Oversight and review of due diligence:
    • Title insurance
    • Survey
    • Environmental assessment
    • Appraisal
• Oversee and assist with municipal open space consulting work, including:
  • Promotion and development of open space ballot referenda
  • Advising on conservation prioritization of existing open space
  • Managing land, conservation, and trail easement acquisitions
• Coordinate and facilitate the monthly Land Protection Program meeting and weekly brief check-in with program staff.
• Assist with outreach for new funding opportunities and maintaining relationships with existing funders.
• Assist with accreditation compliance and renewal through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission for standards and practices related to land transactions.
• Assist other programs as time and necessity warrants.
• Administrative and clerical functions.
• Special projects as assigned.