Kinnickinnic River Land Trust

Working with the community to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.

KRLT Executive Director Position

The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit land conservation organization seeking an Executive Director to advance its mission to conserve the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least three references to careers@kinniriver.org

Job Description

The Executive Director of the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) reports to and is supervised by the KRLT Board of Directors. The Executive Director leads and directs all land trust programs and operations, supervises staff, and serves as liaison between the Board of Directors and staff. This specifically includes leading and facilitating fund development, implementing KRLT’s strategic plan, and prioritizing program activities to ensure that the KRLT functions within its capacity and within planning direction provided by the Board of Directors.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. PLANNING, LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION

  1. Periodically reviews and updates KRLT’s strategic plan, programmatic direction, and specific conservation activities. Works with staff and board members to develop, implement and evaluate annual work plans implementing the KRLT strategic plan.

  2. Establishes clear patterns of authority, responsibility, supervision, and communication with KRLT staff though team meetings and individual supervision.

  3. Annually reviews personnel policies and procedures that are consistent with the Land Trust Alliance (LTA), nonprofit best practices, and regulatory guidelines.

  4. Models behavior and attitudes that promote individual responsibility, a team attitude, and provides coaching that leads to a cohesive work environment.

  5. Ensures that KRLT staff have sufficient facility space, tools, equipment, and materials needed to do their work and that they maintain these in good repair.

  6. Ensures that KRLT, its staff, and its programs operate in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations and with all LTA accreditation standards.

  7. Effectively uses outside expert consults and contractors as necessary to carry out and ensure the highest quality of KRLT’s programs and practices.

B. EXTERNAL RELATIONS

  1. Participates in community, regional, and national professional organizations and collaborations that enhance and advance the work of KRLT.

  2. Implements outreach to ensure positive media relations, regular communications with the general public and KRLT members/donors.

  3. Engage members and donors through outreach programs, including meetings, special events, and tours.

  4. Maintains affiliation with region-wide professional associations relevant and beneficial to the KRLT’s successful operation.

C. FUNDRAISING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

  1. Oversees the administration of KRLT’s finances, investments, and related operational systems, including development and implementation of annual organizational budgets.

  2. Work with the staff and board members in the development of a fundraising strategy and tracking financial accomplishments to assure that large donor gifts, grant writing, membership, state and federal funding, and special project campaigns cumulatively meet or exceed budgeted funding and goals.

  3. Arranges for an annual external audit and takes actions to improve the land trust’s business practices based on annual recommendations from the auditor.

D.  CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

  1. Works with KRLT Board of Directors, Conservation Committee Chair, staff, and others to maintain and pursue conservation and stewardship priorities in line with KRLT’s mission, strategic plan, and annual plans.

  2. Oversees the KRLT land protection program, including oversight of new and existing conservation easements and management of KRLT-owned preserves.

  3. Ensures that KRLT operates within the requirements of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and LTA.

E.  RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. Provides support for the board at meetings by coordinating meeting times and informing agendas, providing the board with needed information including appropriate operational, financial and program reports, and participating in board meetings as requested. Provides similar support for any committees of the board.

  2. Communicates necessary information in a timely and organized fashion to the Board President through regular meetings and communication outside of structured board meetings.                                                                         
  3. In coordination with the Board President, ensure that each board member is provided with necessary information, including an updated board manual, and access to training and mentoring as needed to serve effectively.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s degree or graduate degree in public policy, natural resources, environmental science, non-profit management, agriculture, planning or other relevant fields.
  • Demonstrated experience leading and/or facilitating capital campaigns and/or substantial fundraising initiatives.
  • Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in a leadership position in a nonprofit or environmental setting preferred.
  • Experience working with government agencies.
  • Ability to build effective partnerships, facilitate meetings, and negotiate consensus on complex or sensitive issues.
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills for one-on-one meetings and public speaking.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to establish rapport and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and professions.
  • Dynamic leadership style, results-oriented, highly motivated with the ability to motivate others, creative and a self-starter.
  • Willingness to work weekends or evenings.
  • Demonstrated commitment to land conservation and knowledge of private land conservation techniques. Knowledge of Wisconsin conservation issues preferred.

This is a full-time position with an annual salary range of $60,000 to $70,000 based on experience. Benefits included are PTO/STO, 10 paid holidays, and paid individual premium health insurance. The position is primarily office based with some opportunity to work from home.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least three references to careers@kinniriver.org