Director of Land Conservation

Chesapeake Conservancy is a non-profit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. We are a team of conservation entrepreneurs. As the only watershed-wide organization focused on land conservation, we believe that the Chesapeake is a national treasure that should be accessible for everyone and a place where wildlife can thrive. We use the latest data and technology to enhance the pace and effectiveness of conservation and restoration investments.

Position Summary

The Chesapeake Conservancy is growing our team with the addition of a Director of Land Conservation. This new position is a member of the organization’s management team and provides leadership, coordination and execution of land conservation activities for Chesapeake Conservancy across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Director oversees the organization’s land protection strategy including the use of the latest data and technology to guide land protection prioritization, and cultivate key partnerships to advance land conservation and giftlands. This position will oversee all aspects of land conservation transactions for the organization including: identifying opportunities, negotiating with landowners, exploring partnerships to provide public access, identifying long-term land holders, navigating public and private funding opportunities and sources, securing appraisals, due diligence and title work. The Director will lead the land conservation efforts with the assistance of a team that spans several departments within Chesapeake Conservancy, including the Conservation Innovation Center, Development team, and Tributary team, to identify and prioritize High Value Conservation Lands and develop a strategy to protect them. Historically, Chesapeake Conservancy looks to identify appropriate easement holders and long term stewards of the land we protect, partnering with local land trusts and government agencies. The Director will help us to explore land trust accreditation in the future as we look to maximize our impact and leverage our watershed wide reach.

Qualifications

Minimum of 5-10 years experience in land conservation real estate.
Bachelor’s degree in relevant area of study or equivalent experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Deep knowledge of land protection practices, real estate processes, and public funding sources (federal, state, local)
Strong ability to navigate landowner and partner relationships, anticipate needs, and resolve conflict
Understanding of emerging trends and practices supporting large landscape conservation and conservation finance
Experience securing and managing philanthropic investments for land conservation
Strategic, long-term thinker with creative, practical problem-solving skills
Clear, effective communicator across audiences, with strong awareness of how language shapes outcomes
Experienced team leader able to manage staff, contractors, and partners toward shared goals
Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices and accreditation requirements
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities independently
Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Suite
Able to travel locally and work occasional evenings and weekends

Salary Range: $110,000 – $120,000

Tagged as: Conservation