Director of Land Protection

The Director of Land Protection leads Save the Redwoods League’s land conservation program, accomplishing some of the most important, complex and inspiring conservation efforts in California and nationally. The Director supervises the land protection team and directs all aspects of acquisition of land and conservation easements and land transfers for the League, including large scale land transactions, implementing the League’s Strategic Plan and League’s Centennial Vision. In consultation with the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and President & CEO, the Director establishes overall programmatic priorities for acquisition and disposition of the League’s interests in land and develops and implements strategies and plans for accomplishing them.  

The Director of Land Protection is responsible for the success of individual and team performance to reach quarterly and annual land acquisition and transfer goals. 

Essential Duties and Functions:

• Collaborates with the Chief Program Officer to align land transaction plans with organizational goals.
• Provides oversight for all conservation transactions, including negotiation and budget management.
• Manages a portfolio of land conservation projects.
• Coordinates with internal departments to integrate land protection strategies.
• Develops presentations, reports, and updates to regularly inform the Board of Directors on project progress and secure approval for projects.
• Cultivates relationships with external stakeholders, including landowners and government agencies.
• Maintains relationships with staff at state and federal agencies, while also cultivating relationships with Tribes and Indigenous groups alongside the Chief Program Officer and Tribal Consultants.
• Manages a high-performing land transaction team and coordinates with consultants. Supports project managers and facilitates team communication.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of conservation real estate acquisition and project management experience.
• Extensive land acquisition experience, including demonstrated ability to independently initiate, structure, negotiate, and manage and close complex, high-profile, and sensitive transactions involving multiple program areas.
• Experience with Tribal land protection partnerships and associated transaction mechanisms is desirable.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Understanding of California local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and programs that affect the League’s conservation work, including forest practice rules, ESA, CESA, CEQA, and NEPA, desirable.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Direct Reports:

• Senior Manager of Land Protection (2 positions)
• Land Protection Manager (1 position)

Working Conditions/Physical Effort:

• Frequent travel within California, including weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record required.
• Occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 30 pounds.

To apply submit materials here: savetheredwoods.bamboohr.com/careers

Compensation and Benefits:

As a full-time exempt employee, you will be eligible for full benefits which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, three weeks of vacation annually plus holidays, and a 403(b) retirement plan, currently with an up to 8% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the hiring range for this position is $155,000-175,000 per year.

Save the Redwoods League is fully committed to our Diversity, Equity and inclusion Goals. The League welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.

This position is hybrid remote, with regular travel to forests, agency partner facilities, League offices, etc.