Executive Director

Executive Director

About Monmouth Conservation Foundation

Founded in 1977, Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) has spent nearly five decades serving as Monmouth County’s comprehensive land trust, advancing conservation transactions and stewardship work that require legal precision, disciplined governance, and long-horizon accountability. MCF serves as a vital facilitator and partner among public and private entities to preserve open space, farmland, and critical natural habitats. Accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, MCF has orchestrated major conservation initiatives—from the 1,200-acre Flemer Entities preservation to creating parks in underserved neighborhoods like Springwood Avenue Park in Asbury Park—demonstrating both ambitious scale and intentional commitment to environmental justice and equitable access to green space in a state where open space is dwindling rapidly.

Mission

Monmouth Conservation Foundation’s purpose is to acquire and preserve open space and farmland and conserve natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability.

Vision

To lead conservation and education efforts to preserve and protect our natural environment, so all individuals and communities have access to and can benefit from open space and nature for generations to come.

This work takes place in Monmouth County, New Jersey – a region where natural beauty and quality of life are closely linked. Stretching along 40 miles of Atlantic coastline, Monmouth County encompasses diverse landscapes from beaches and barrier islands to working farmland and forests. Home to vibrant communities, acclaimed schools, thriving downtowns, and rich cultural amenities, the county offers residents and visitors alike access to both natural spaces and urban conveniences. With its proximity to major metropolitan areas yet distinct coastal character, Monmouth County represents a place where conservation work directly shapes community wellbeing. As a champion and advocate for the county, MCF works to ensure that land conservation and stewardship remain central to Monmouth County’s identity and future.

Today

After a long history of conservation leadership, MCF now stands at a transformative inflection point—one that deepens and expands the organization’s core mission while pioneering new approaches to land stewardship and community engagement.

As development pressures continue to mount on the remaining 20,000 acres of undeveloped land in Monmouth County, MCF is executing an ambitious three-year strategic plan focused on three core priorities:

1. Core Mission-Driven Work: work assertively to preserve remaining, eligible undeveloped land in Monmouth County and effectively steward both existing and future easements.

2. Educational Outreach: establish a hands-on education and outreach plan to reach Monmouth County residents of all ages focused on environmental sustainability and quality of life related to MCF’s mission.

3. Fundraising & Communications: strengthen MCF’s image and identity, and build capacity through communications, marketing, engagement, and fundraising.

In April 2024, MCF achieved a historic milestone by becoming a landowner for the first time through the acquisition of the 90-acre Scudder Preserve in Middletown Township. This nature sanctuary, which began as a wildlife haven when the Scudder Family donated conservation easements in 1983, represents bold expansion of MCF’s capacity to fulfill its mission. Thanks to a $1 million anonymous donation and a $500,000 five-year commitment from New Jersey Resources, the Preserve is being transformed into a living laboratory for education, research, and conservation.

The Scudder Preserve anchors MCF’s educational vision, providing a space where educators, students, and conservationists can engage directly with the natural world while advancing the Foundation’s mission of land conservation and its commitment to protection of open space.

MCF intends for the Scudder Preserve to function not only as a conserved landscape, but as a strategic engine for the organization. As MCF’s first owned property, Scudder expands institutional capacity by anchoring education partnerships, research collaborations, donor cultivation, and long-term underwriting. It provides a visible, credible platform through which conservation outcomes, public benefit, and philanthropic investment can be aligned and scaled over time.

Learn more about MCF at www.monmouthconservation.org 

The Opportunity

Monmouth Conservation Foundation seeks a visionary and strategic Executive Director to lead the organization through an important inflection point. Forty-nine years into its history, MCF has grown and adapted in response to ever-changing external circumstances without losing sight of its mission of preserving and protecting open space and natural habitats throughout Monmouth County. The Executive Director will be responsible for guiding the successful completion of MCF’s current three-year strategic plan while positioning the organization for its next chapter of growth and impact.

The Executive Director will lead all aspects of MCF’s work, including land acquisition, education programming, organizational leadership, business operations, fundraising, and external relations. This role requires maintaining focus on the urgent work of identifying opportunities and cultivation of diverse funding streams for the remaining 20,000 acres of undeveloped land in Monmouth County while supporting broader public engagement, improved stewardship of open space, and building the Foundation’s long-term capacity through educational innovation and the stewardship of the Scudder

Preserve. This moment calls for an Executive Director who excels at building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders while exercising disciplined judgment under time pressure–able to prioritize opportunities, advance transactions to closure, and protect long-term stewardship obligations while maintaining organizational focus and integrity.

The Executive Director will serve as MCF’s principal external ambassador, strengthening philanthropic support while reinforcing trust with landowners, public partners, and community stakeholders. This person will supervise and provide thoughtful leadership to a deeply dedicated, talented team of five professionals: Director of Development and Communications, Director of Acquisitions, Development and Event Marketing Manager, Financial Records and Operations Manager, and Director of Educational Outreach. They will also work closely with a Board of 29 dedicated and active trustees and 7 ex officio trustees. During this time of opportunity and transformation, the ED will ensure that MCF continues to serve as Monmouth County’s leading voice for land conservation while expanding access to nature and environmental education for all residents.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will reflect strong leadership skills and be deeply passionate about conservation and the importance of protecting open space for the well-being of communities and natural habitats. While deep technical experience in land transactions is not required, candidates should bring an understanding of land protections and stewardship methods, tools, and practices. They will also bring proven organizational and team management skills, exceptional communications and relationship-building abilities, and the capacity to raise funds and awareness for the organization. A connection to Monmouth County and New Jersey is preferred, but not required.
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Strategic and Results Oriented Leadership

• A pragmatic, outcome-focused leadership style, allowing for nimble, creative, and strategic responses to opportunities and challenges. This leader unifies the team and board around decisions, exhibiting decisiveness and follow through while achieving consensus.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through complex, multi-party decisions where legal, financial, reputational, and community considerations must be aligned and resolved with clarity.

• Experience driving and articulating an ambitious and measurable path forward for staff, Board, donors, and partners, helping the organization grow to match its ambitious agenda.

• An ability to inspire, create trust, and to lead with integrity by creating clear roles and responsibilities, goals, and reporting toward outcomes.

• Bridges strategy and execution by translating strategic priorities into actionable plans with clearly defined staff responsibilities, success metrics, and accountability systems that keep the organization mission-focused and results-oriented.

• Experience leading a skilled team of staff with values of listening, respect, growth, empowerment, and transparency.

Operational and Financial Management Skills

• A seasoned leader with a track record of success in managing complex organizations and knowledge of best practices in nonprofit management.

• Comfort understanding and governing sophisticated transactions and restricted resources, including grants, easements, and donor intent, with the internal controls and documentation discipline expected of mature institutions.

• A hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach to leadership with strong project management skills; ability to lead and work alongside staff on tactical execution while helping the team prioritize effectively and maintain manageable workloads in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

• Strong understanding of financial management principles, including budgeting, reporting, and grant management, with ability to develop financial plans that ensure organizational sustainability.

• Experience partnering with a Board of Directors and management team to facilitate and drive decision-making and goal setting.

• Analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills that support and enable sound decision-making and empower others to contribute to the overall success of MCF.

Effective Communicator and Relationship Builder

• Ability to inspire and engage diverse audiences – community members, landowners, local/state/ federal government officials, donors, staff, board members, and others – by conveying passion and a compelling case for land conservation.

• Comfort representing MCF if a variety of settings, from one-on-one meetings to large group public speaking engagements as well as through effective written communications.

• An understanding of how to establish and strengthen productive partnerships with a wide range of constituents, including elected officials and community partners.

• Diplomatic and skilled at strategically managing political and stakeholder dynamics to protect organizational interests, minimize conflict, and drive measurable results.

• A communications and leadership style that’s based on trust, transparency, and follow through.

• Ability to engage diverse communities, including underserved populations, in conservation efforts with commitment to building trust, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring equitable access to nature and open space.

Competency with Fundraising and Development

• A track record of personal involvement in fundraising, ideally with demonstrated experience identifying and securing individual, corporate, and government funds.

• Desire to be deeply engaged in all aspects of fundraising and working closely with the team and board to plan and run effective events and identify new funding streams and opportunities

• Knowledge of fundraising operations; campaign experience a plus.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $160,000.

Contact
DSG tendersglobal.net Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan and Gina Wrolstad Kueber. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/22614. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

DSG tendersglobal.net Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected].  If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Duties are performed in the office and the field. Travel is required to various locations in the county or Trenton for meetings, conferences, workshops, and speaking engagements. Evening and weekend work is occasionally required.
Monmouth Conservation Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

About DSG tendersglobal.net Koya

DSG tendersglobal.net Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG tendersglobal.net Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG tendersglobal.net Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about DSG tendersglobal.net Koya via the firm’s https://www.dsgco.com/industry/nonprofit-and-social-impact/