New York State Director

At the Trust for Public Land, we don't just save land—we save land for people to enjoy, from neighborhood parks to national parks. 

• We’re a Coalition of Park Lovers. Our organization is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors.
• 50 Years of Outside for All
• We were founded in 1972 on the conviction that all people need access to nature and the outdoors, close to home, in the cities and communities where they live. We work with communities to create parks and protect public land where they’re needed most, as a matter of health, equity, and justice.

Position Summary:

The New York State Director develops and leads Trust for Public Land’s mission delivery in New York.  The Trust for Public Land's work in New York encompasses land protection, park design and development, community schoolyard creation, trail creation, community engagement, parks planning, and public financing for parks and conservation.

The State Director manages and mentors the New York field staff, collaborates with TPL’s national experts and thought leaders, and works in close partnership with the New York State Director of Philanthropy and other philanthropy colleagues to raise funding needed to both support and grow the office’s programs and operating costs. The State Director is also responsible for working with public agencies, non-profit partners, major donors, the local Advisory Board, elected officials, citizen leaders, and community members to enhance opportunities for success of the organization as a whole and the New York program specifically. The individual must demonstrate a proven track record working with key individuals in the philanthropic community.

The New York State Director is responsible for implementing TPL’s national strategic plan in the state of New York. The New York State Director reports to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and collaborates on strategic mission delivery with other Mid-Atlantic state programs, specifically New Jersey and Connecticut. The New York State Director leads the New York team in continually developing, implementing, and evolving local programmatic initiatives that deliver on TPL’s mission of creating parks and protecting land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. 

Responsibilities:

• 35% Philanthropy: Funding support for the New York office and programs it carries out is derived primarily from private philanthropic dollars.  The State Director will work in close coordination with local, regional, and national TPL philanthropy staff to cultivate and solicit major gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.  The State Director will work in partnership with philanthropy staff to create and implement a fundraising plan.  The State Director will manage the local Advisory Board together with local philanthropy leadership, and will serve as the primary face of TPL in the donor community.
• 25% Program Development and Management: The State Director will be responsible for directing staff and working with program partners, both public and private, to carry out the work throughout New York. This includes evaluating and delivering new project and program opportunities that create parks, land, trails, and schoolyards in line with our strategic commitments to health, climate, equity, and community. In all of this work, the development and maintenance of positive relationships with key public and non-profit partners, as well as major donors will be paramount. This position collaborates with senior leadership, finance and volunteer leaders in developing and implementing strategies that achieve mission delivery goals, and are compelling and financially viable.
• 15% Management/Administration: The State Director is responsible for supervising staff who report to her/him/them, and for creating a positive working environment for the entire office, strong staff morale and a culture of teamwork and mutual support among all staff, including philanthropy staff who do not report to the Director.  The State Director is the budget manager for the state program’s budget, responsible for working with the finance team to develop the office budget and taking necessary actions to meet or exceed the targets and maintain a work climate which attracts, retains and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.
• 25% External Relations: The State Director will be expected to represent TPL and build the organization’s visibility throughout region. This position will develop and maintain relationships for the benefit of TPL in the parks/conservation/environmental sector and in other sectors related to improving community wellbeing. Demonstrated existing relationships and ability to cultivate and maintain new ones with state and local elected officials, staff civic leaders, partner nonprofits, the media, and the philanthropic community. 

Critical Success Factors:

Within the first year, the successful candidate will have:

• Mastered a learning curve of TPL to effectively assume management of the future of the New York Program.  This includes an understanding of our Strategic Plan and the national strategies of TPL, and embracing a role in fundraising.
• Built external relationships with our partners, especially members of the Advisory Board, civic organizations, and governmental entities at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Worked in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy to develop a top 25 list of major donors with a strong emphasis on individuals.  The State Director will be the natural partner for these donors.
• Worked within TPL and with partners to develop specific programs that represent New York’s unique contribution to the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
• Communicated effectively with the Advisory Board and volunteer leaders – providing all information necessary to function properly and to inspire their active engagement and support of local and national activities.
• Enhanced our image by being active and visible in the community. 

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree required. An advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience in an organization focused on public urban work and/or land conservation.
• At least 8 years of relevant non-profit work experience or the equivalent, including at least 5 years of staff management experience.  Experience serving as an Executive Director preferred, or other positions of leadership.
• Demonstrated experience working with underserved communities and communities of color.
• Experience interfacing with and effectively engaging diverse groups (staff, volunteers, stakeholders, politicians, agency partners, etc.)
• Extensive experience working with fundraisers and securing funding for mission support from public and private sources
• Experience with public finance techniques, government funding practices and procedures, the foundation community, fundraising, marketing practices, best management practices and budgeting practices.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, energy, the capacity to lead, mentor and inspire others, the capacity to be both a high performer and a team player, common sense, and a sense of humor.
• Excellent communication skills including writing and public speaking.
• An ability and willingness to travel as required and to work flexible hours outside a 9-5 schedule.
• A passionate commitment to The Trust for Public Land’s mission of connecting everyone to the outdoors.
• A commitment to TPL’s shared values of Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope

Compensation:

As a full-time exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, holidays, and a 403(b) retirement plan, currently with an up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the range for this position is $140,000-$165,000 annually.

Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets and experiences.