LEADERSHIP PROFILE. Managing Director for Conservation The Trustees of Reservations Boston, MA

Transcription

1 LEADERSHIP PROFILE Managing Director for Conservation The Trustees of Reservations Boston, MA Saving land not just for its own sake, but for its power to refresh and renew the body, the mind, and the spirit. Purpose of The Trustees of Reservations THE OPPORTUNITY The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is a vibrant leader in conservation and preservation of land for public use. Founded in 1891, it is among America s oldest land conservation organizations, protecting over 100 places of exceptional scenic, historic, cultural and ecological value across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts -- all open to the public. The Trustees is recognized nationally for exemplary conservation and stewardship of natural and cultural assets. Its 26,000 acres encompass mountains and hilltops, open meadows, parks, working farms, forests, stately homes and gardens, stunning coastlines and beaches, five National Historic Landmarks, 72 archaeological sites, a model archives center, 54 historic buildings and a National Natural Landmark. The Managing Director for Conservation has a bold, exciting mandate: to lead The Trustees land transactions and conservation work into the future, acquiring significant properties integral to quality of life in Massachusetts. The Managing Director will provide visionary leadership in the organization and in the wider conservation community.

2 Page 2 of 6 The Trustees of Reservations is one of Massachusetts largest and most influential nonprofits, with a staff of over 250 people, annual revenues of $21 million and an endowment that exceeds $125 million. The organization recently completed a $100 million capital campaign and several multi-million-dollar initiatives. Beloved and renowned as a force in land conservation and protection, The Trustees has a constituency of over 100,000 members and a growing number of visitors, innovative programs, volunteers and supporters. This is a time of excitement and promise. The Trustees is reimagining and refocusing its approach to land conservation with the goal of connecting more people to place and increasing its impact on quality of life across the state. The Trustees plan to prioritize major magnetic, significant places near centers of population, and will proactively seek to acquire places of distinction. The Managing Director will lead The Trustees next-level initiatives in land conservation and impact. She or he will: Provide leadership and strategy to differentiate and define the organization through truly distinctive and significant acquisitions Leverage The Trustees extensive assets, programs and networks to create compelling partnerships that preserve and open up inspiring landscapes and experiences Be a compelling external spokesperson and relationship builder Play a leading role in The Trustees Land Trust re-accreditation in 2015 Inspire, mentor and motivate a high-performing team. THE ORGANIZATION The Trustees of Reservations has a property within 30 minutes of every Massachusetts resident. The goal is to reduce that distance to 10 or fewer minutes a quest in which the Managing Director will play a leading role. Public access to open spaces is a hallmark of The Trustees. The organization is a leader in connecting land and people -- through urban conservation programs, local food access and farming, promotion of vibrant communities, and many new and emerging initiatives.

3 Page 3 of 6 Based on a recent survey, members rate The Trustees as their favorite nonprofit in its sector. Open and conserved space is what members value most. A majority use their membership for spending time outdoors with friends and family. Trustees properties are as diverse as Crane Beach on the Crane Estate in Ipswich (a National Geographic best beach), Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge on Nantucket, Naumkeag in the Berkshires, World s End in Hingham, Appleton Farms (America s oldest continuously operating farm, founded in 1636) in Ipswich and Hamilton, and 46 community gardens owned and managed by Trustees affiliate Boston Natural Areas Network. In addition to the 26,000 acres it owns and manages, The Trustees holds conservation easements on another 19,000 acres. The organization has helped communities and conservation partners protect an additional 16,000 acres. The Trustees mission is integral to quality of life across Massachusetts, inspiring people to enjoy, advocate and care for the land. The extent and diversity of distinctive, significant properties is a major asset, as is the exceptional level of care and management, in perpetuity, of diverse scenic, historical, agricultural and ecological places. The Trustees is leading a movement connecting people to the land, and to one another. The Trustees Board has recently adopted a five-year strategic plan. Multi-year aspirations are to: Prioritize conservation that improves quality of life Enhance stewardship of The Trustees properties Bring special places to life in ways that attract and excite more people Raise the organization s profile and strategically grow resources The Managing Director s opportunity to define, advance and manage the leading edge of conservation for The Trustees is nothing short of exciting and compelling. For more about The Trustees of Reservations, including a full list of properties managed and protected, go to

4 Page 4 of 6 THE RESPONSIBILITIES The Managing Director (MD) for Conservation will lead The Trustees in acquiring and conserving significant places across Massachusetts. The MD will be a compelling, experienced strategist and collaborative leader, with a record of success in land transactions and conservation and authentic passion for the mission of connecting people and place. The Managing Director will be credible, knowledgeable and charismatic -- a leader others seek out and want to work with. The Managing Director will: 1. Provide strategic, visionary leadership. The MD will be a strategic, bigpicture leader with an impressive record of innovation and success in relevant contexts. He or she will be compelling and substantive a leader who mobilizes, influences and inspires others to achieve a big, important vision and results. He or she will take a strategic, holistic view of Massachusetts opportunities, factoring in conservation, significance of place, human engagement and revenue potential. Skilled at negotiating and implementing long-range strategies while delivering on ongoing priorities, the MD will be a collaborative leader within the organization, and at the statewide and national levels. 2. Be an inspiring, motivating player-coach and team builder. The MD will be a hands-on team builder and mentor -- a player-coach who engages and mobilizes the team across disciplines and locations. She or he will relish frontline negotiating and deal-making as well as empowering, mentoring and leveraging the abilities of team members. The MD will have fire in the belly and passion for the mission and work. He or she will inspire the team to achieve stunning results. 3. Bring uncommon relationship and partnership skills. The MD will be passionate about developing beneficial partnerships with communities, landowners, corporate, government and nonprofit entities, donors and the media. The MD will be a natural collaborator who is creative at developing and nurturing win-win partnerships. 4. Be a compelling external face for The Trustees. The MD will be an impressive, commanding speaker and presenter with donors, landowners, legislators, community leaders, the media and partners. He or she will be an

5 Page 5 of 6 effective storyteller and fundraiser, able to passionately articulate vision and excite people to support it. The MD will serve as liaison to the Land Conservation Committee of the Board of Directors and as President of the Massachusetts Land Conservation Trust founded by The Trustees. The MD will represent The Trustees on the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition and the Land Trust Alliance. 5. Be an effective manager of The Trustees conservation work. The MD will have strong grounding in managing assets, finances, land and real estate transactions, acquisition and management. The MD will bring natural ability with systems, process and organizational skills and be able to manage multiple complex projects with diplomacy, tenacity and a drive for results. She or he will play a leading role in Land Trust re-accreditation, and in reframing and re-aligning the organization s conservation strategies, structure and human resources to deliver on the five-year strategic vision. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS The Managing Director for Conservation will have expertise, high standards and demonstrable results in contexts relevant to this opportunity, coupled with passion for the The Trustees mission and focus on connecting people to place. The ideal candidate will bring: High energy and a positive, can-do attitude Personal charisma and passion Ability to build trust and influence people Innovation and entrepreneurial spirit A natural tendency to collaborate and build team alignment Clear and effective communication skills Creativity and innovation A bias to make things happen, take strategic risks and drive results Ability to deal well with complexity, ambiguity and change Personal and professional confidence born of authentic ability A sense of humor

6 Page 6 of 6 THE RELATIONSHIPS The Managing Director for Conservation reports to the Vice President for Program Leadership and manages a team of approximately 10. Reports to: Manages a team that includes: VP, Program Leadership Conservation Directors (West and East) Community Conservation Specialists Conservation Restriction Program Team Other key relationships include: THE LOCATION The Trustees Regional Directors, development and marketing colleagues The Board and volunteer committees and leaders Senior Advisor for Conservation Policy Peers at partner and colleague organizations The Managing Director for Conservation is based at one of The Trustees six business campuses in Massachusetts, ideally the Doyle Center in Leominster. For potential consideration or to suggest a prospect, please TheTrustees@BoardWalkConsulting.com or call Kathy Bremer or Joan Schlachter at 404-BoardWalk ( ). For the current status of this and other searches, please visit