Position Overview:

Reporting to the Senior Director of Land Protection, the Associate Director of Land Protection is a member of the Expanded Leadership Group and part of a team of Associate Directors within the Land Protection Department, which contributes to the vision and strategic direction for the organization and the department. This position is responsible for overseeing a diverse project load that will require creative approaches to implementing MCHT’s vision and guiding project design and due diligence for approximately half of MCHT’s service area. This position oversees a team of Project Managers and support staff who work closely with private landowners, corporations, and conservation partners to seek conservation easements, fee acquisitions, and other interests in land using traditional and innovative land conservation tools.

The Associate Director also manages a portfolio of land protection projects in a specific region which currently stretches from the eastern border of Camden to the western border of Ellsworth and including Deer Isle, Stonington and the Merchant Row islands.  This individual is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with private landowners, partner organizations, communities and agencies to accomplish lasting conservation of priority properties. The position involves community outreach and engagement, real estate negotiation and financing, grant writing, fundraising, and communications for individual projects. The Associate Director oversees and manages a diverse project load within this region.

Essential Job Functions:

Management Job Functions

• Actively contribute to the development of the Department’s work plan and budget, advising the Senior Director on Department priorities, strategies, funding needs and sources.
• Oversee and manage land protection efforts for approximately half of MCHT’s service area, guiding the work of the project management team to ensure completion of assigned goals and alignment with organizational priorities, in coordination with other departments.
• Play a leadership role in the department, supporting major cross-department projects, ensuring team efforts are coordinated across all departments, and participating as a member of the Expanded Leadership Group and in work team efforts as needed or requested by the Senior Director of Land Protection.
• Lead the development and implementation of land protection standards and systems within MCHT, tracking performance, adapting as needed, and keeping the team accountable, including ensuring accurate and timely data entry and reporting.
• Provide training and mentoring of new staff members on the land protection team

Project Management Job Functions

• Plan for, prioritize, initiate, and complete conservation projects in the designated region. This includes  identifying important conservation opportunities;  initiating contact and negotiating with landowners; responding to incoming opportunities; developing and implementing effective conservation strategies; providing education and consultation to the landowners, family members and their advisors; supporting project fundraising activities and successfully negotiating and closing multiple real estate acquisitions and transactions ranging from simple to complex in nature within the confines of authority from the Board of Directors and with guidance from our General Counsel.
• Work directly with MCHT’s Stewardship Department to develop stewardship budgets for active land protection projects and assist with management planning for protected properties. Be MCHT’s expert regarding current work in land protection. Serve as a knowledgeable and respected land protection leader, advisor and spokesperson for MCHT and for partners including local, statewide, and national land trusts and organizations.
• Represent MCHT at local, regional, state, and national levels at conferences, industry gatherings and committees, events, and with the media to highlight MCHT’s mission and projects, in coordination with the Communications Department.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance the productive, strategic working relationships that are a hallmark of MCHT’s conservation programs, and form alliances with new partners.
• Develop and present brief written updates on specific projects or land protection priority areas to relevant MCHT Board Committees.
• Oversee multiple contractors, ensure completeness and quality, and maintain professional relationships with surveyors, attorneys, and other contractors who perform various duties for MCHT in relation to land projects.
• Perform special projects and other related duties as required, directed, or as the situation dictates.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises Project Managers and may supervise support staff. May be expected to fill in for the Senior Director of Land Protection temporarily when they are unavailable. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing and hiring, onboarding, training and development, performance management, and teambuilding.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as natural resources, business, law, or communications and 6+ years of experience in land use and conservation work, project management for land projects or another related field. In lieu of education, 8 to 9 years of previous experience in land protection involving aspects of negotiating and closing multiple real-estate transactions and including supervising a team.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated supervisory experience or equivalent and proven leadership qualities with the ability to inspire, motivate, manage, and empower a staff of professionals.
• Strong commitment to land and water conservation, building healthier communities, conserving natural habitats, and connecting people to land.
• Passion for and knowledge of MCHT mission and values.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Direct work experience in a natural resource field or community facilitation and engagement or planning field.
• Experience in voluntary land protection techniques, landowner negotiations and completing land conservation projects preferred.
• Experience overseeing contracts and engaging advisors or consultants.
• Field skills such as working with map and compass, GPS systems, reading terrain, identifying and understanding natural resource sensitivities and constraints preferred.
• Ability to effectively operate computers and assigned software, including Microsoft Office and Excel. A working knowledge of Arc GIS preferred.
• Working knowledge of Maine’s geography, culture, flora and fauna preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and effectively as a team member: The ability to work autonomously while keeping the Senior Director of Land Protection, other staff and volunteers apprised of issues, problems, opportunities, and progress.
• Strong organizational, planning, and multi-tasking skills with attention to detail and follow-up.
• Proven ability to manage a large and diverse project load, complete assignments, meet deadlines and work within established budgets.
• An ability to establish and maintain effective, close working relationships with a wide range of people and organizations. Demonstrated experience with Community organizing, planning or other engagement activities and the ability to work with diverse partners.
• Discretion and proven responsibility for the handling of confidential, sensitive, and personal information is a must.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands: 

Work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc. Operates computer, printer, photocopier, and basic office equipment. Work requires extended sitting and repetitive motion in the use of computer, keyboard, and mouse.  Long days, evening and weekend work is occasionally required. Must have access to a car because travel within the region is necessary.  Must be willing to travel in boats (you do not need your own boat).

Field work is performed outside in all weather conditions and on rough or wet terrain.  Requires walking, hiking, bending, crouching and occasional lifting. All efforts are made to keep the job safe but occasionally rough seas or difficult terrains can create unexpected hazards.

MCHT has offices in Topsham, Rockport, Mount Desert Island, and Whiting. The location of this position will likely be in the Mount Desert Island office. We have a hybrid work model with 2 office days and 3 home days.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a generous benefits package including insurance, vacation and sick time, 14 paid holidays and a retirement plan. The annual starting salary range for this role is $88,000 to $98,000 and will depend upon experience.

To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and passion for our mission to search@mcht.org by March 21, 2025.  Please use “LP Associate Director” in the subject line. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.