Job Summary

Northern Waters Land Trust seeks an Executive Director who has both passion and energy for land and water conservation. The Executive Director will be the face of NWLT and will work broadly across all of its constituent groups including landowners; local, state and federal government agencies; the sovereign tribes of Minnesota; and the general public. The Executive Director will provide leadership and management of all aspects of NWLT’s work, including conservation easements, fee title acquisition, fiscal accountability and development, outreach, and expansion of our organizational capacity as a Land Trust Alliance accredited land trust. The Executive Director will work to ensure NWLT carries out our vision, mission, and strategic plan efficiently and effectively. The Executive Director will be an excellent manager of people and projects, work with integrity, inspire trust and be an articulate messenger for our Mission.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

OUTREACH

• Communicates our vision, mission, goals, and brand.
• Leads collaboration with key conservation partners, such as local, regional and state agencies, other land trusts, tribes, lake associations, community leaders and the public.
• Educates and builds exposure of NWLT conservation efforts to our partners.

CONSERVATION

• Works with NWLT staff, the Conservation Committee, and the Board of Directors to identify, secure and monitor conservation easements.
• Works with NWLT staff, the Conservation Committee, and the Board of Directors to identify, secure and monitor fee title acquisitions.
• Ensures all Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices are followed and leads the effort for reaccreditation (every 5 years).

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT

• Leads efforts to develop and execute annual and longer-term operational and land acquisition fundraising plans to include individual, corporate and major gift giving.
• Oversees and/or completes grant application processes and requirements, executes grant- funded programs, and ensures that required reports and invoices are submitted.
• Creates a sustainable annual budget and works with the Board of Directors for approval.
• Creates a sustainable long-term financial plan and works with the Board of Directors for approval.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

• Executes and adjusts the Strategic Plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors and expands organizational capacity.
• Assists the Board in policy development.
• Ensures that adequate technology is in place for effective financial, accounting, fundraising, outreach, and conservation management.
• Oversees all accounting and banking processes, and ensures all IRS, state and federal financial reports and audits are complete and timely.
• Ensures compliance with all internal policies and procedures, legal requirements, and financial standards.
• Manages all personnel matters including hiring, performance review, staff development, and salary. There are currently 4 staff positions and growth is anticipated.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Exhibits a high level of personal integrity and ethical conduct.
• Resides within or adjacent to NLWT’s service area of Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard and Aitkin Counties in Minnesota, or willingness to relocate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and/or experience in environmental sciences or related field.
• Non-profit leadership experience, conservation, or land trust experience.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• This is a full-time professional salaried position. Salary will be a minimum of $70,000 per year and is negotiable, based on education and experience.
• Health insurance available, paid time off, and 10 holidays annually.

 

NWLT embraces and encourages our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. NLWT is an equal opportunity employer.