Executive Director

Aquidneck Land Trust ("ALT") is a nationally accredited non-profit organization that gets support from individuals, businesses, other non-profit organizations and governmental entities, and has helped conserve 2,419 acres on Aquidneck Island - home to Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth, Rhode Island. ALT employs 6 full-time staff and is governed by a Board of Trustees.

Position Overview:

ALT seeks a talented individual to become its next Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management of ALT in accordance with its By-laws, Mission Statement, Strategic Plan and relevant operational policies or other guidance from the Board, and must provide leadership in multiple areas.

The ideal candidate has a passion to pursue ALT's mission of, "preserving Aquidneck Island's open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community." He or she would be credible, competent, and compassionate, and be able to build a working team internally and serve as a strong voice to the community externally.

He or she must be able to both lead and manage, bringing technical competence, strategic vision, and articulate engagement to the work at hand. A track record of leading a similar sized organization involved in land conservation work would be a plus.  

Responsibilities:

• The ideal candidate has a passion to pursue ALT's mission of, "preserving Aquidneck Island's open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community;"
• He or she would be credible, competent, and compassionate, and be able to build a working team internally and serve as a strong voice to the community externally;
• He or she must be able to both lead and manage, bringing technical competence, strategic vision, and articulate engagement to the work at hand.

He or she must provide leadership in multiple areas, including:

• Land acquisition and conservation;
• Stewardship of conserved properties;
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with landowners and conservation partners;
• Staff supervision, support and development;
• Existing ALT initiatives and new initiatives;
• Collaboration with the Board of Trustees;
• Strategic long and short-term planning;
• Fundraising, marketing and advancement;
• Annual budget preparation;
• Legal defense;
• Volunteer recruitment and coordination;
• Education, outreach and advocacy; and
• National Land Trust accreditation. 

Qualifications:

• 5 to 10 years leadership or management experience, preferably in the context of land trust or conservation related work.
• Degree in an applicable field of study from an accredited college or university.
• Significant knowledge of land conservation transactions and documents, such as easements and purchase and sale agreements.
• Significant knowledge of conserved land stewardship best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to build, maintain and support a highly effective, cohesive, motivated and diverse team of staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals, including, staff, board members, landowners, public and private donors, government officials, business people, collaborators, volunteers, and the media, to: initiate, build and maintain cooperative or collaborative relationships that serve ALT's mission.
• Capacity to work collaboratively with the Board so that it can best perform its functions, including setting ALT policies and providing effective oversight.
• Capacity to move forward initiatives similar to those currently being undertaken by ALT.
• Entrepreneurial drive to explore new opportunities and create new initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to produce, review and execute long and short term strategic plans.
• Exemplary public speaking and writing skills.
• Integrity, a strong work ethic, and passionate commitment to the work of ALT.
• Capacity to work effectively within the diverse social, political and economic conditions found on Aquidneck Island. Familiarity with local conservation and environmental issues would be a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple and varied projects simultaneously.
• Experience fundraising from public and private sources and capacity to build and strengthen connections to those who can support or fund initiatives.
• Experience developing or helping to develop an annual budget and ensuring an organization's fiscal health and achievement of financial goals.
• Capacity to oversee and assist attorneys who represent ALT, including in matters involving land acquisition and litigation.
• Capacity to create and oversee educational, outreach and advocacy programs.
• Capacity to lead ALT's efforts to renew its National Land Trust Accreditation. 

Compensation:

The compensation package is competitive. Final salary offered will be based on specifically determined scope of duties and commensurate with relevant experience.

To Apply:

Please click "Apply Now Online!" to submit your cover letter and resume, salary requirements, and names and contact information for 3 references.

Please type "ALT Executive Director Job" in the email Subject line. Technical questions about application submission may be directed to to the same link. More information about ALT can be found on our website. No phone calls please.

Application deadline is Feburary 15, 2013.