Southeast Region Director of Land Preservation

Would you like the opportunity to make a permanent and lasting impact to the preservation of uniquely important landscapes where the most consequential events in American history occurred? A newly-created position of Southeast Region Director of Land Preservation at the American Battlefield Trust (the “Trust”), the nation’s largest non-profit battlefield preservation organization, offers the chance for a motivated individual to save extraordinary historic sites for present and future generations. The Trust has protected nearly 60,000 acres of important Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefield land in 25 states. Through its land preservation and history education efforts, the Trust creates and expands battlefield parks that, as outdoor classrooms, tell the story of America’s unique history.

In order to accomplish its important mission, the Trust seeks a Southeast Region Director in the Land Preservation Department to advance our goal to save critical battlefield land at significant Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefields located throughout the southeastern United States, including Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, and the Carolinas. The Southeast Region Director will work closely with landowners, partner organizations, government grant sources, and other Trust staff to complete land preservation projects, including conservation easements and fee simple transactions to protect battlefield land in perpetuity before it is lost.

General Scope of the Position

The Southeast Region Director will be responsible for accomplishing land preservation transactions throughout the southeastern United States, from initial landowner outreach, due diligence, closing, and post-closing activities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Landowner and Partner Organization Outreach

• Conduct initial outreach to landowners to introduce the Trust and its preservation interest and build lasting working relationships
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with partners, including battlefield friends groups; local, state, and national park personnel; and key local and state officials

Preservation Transaction Structuring and Negotiation

• Present preservation options and structures to landowners, including fee simple acquisitions, life estates transactions, conservation easements, bargain sales, etc.
• Negotiate and structure preservation agreements, including fee simple purchase agreements containing purchase price, feasibility study periods, holdover arrangements, and other terms and conditions, and conservation easements containing provisions to protect the property in perpetuity

Funding, Due Diligence and Closings

• Work with the Trust’s government grant managers to pursue government grant funding for projects
• Work with the Trust’s development team to assist in private fundraising
• Engage contractors to complete all necessary due diligence and feasibility analysis, including appraisals, title reviews, surveys, and environmental assessments
• Conduct substantive reviews of all due diligence reports, identifying any potential issues and developing approaches for issue resolution
• Manage real estate transaction closings, including document review, coordination with landowners, settlement companies and attorneys
• Prepare post-closing documentation, including conservation easements and stewardship arrangements
• Explore opportunities to transfer preserved properties post-closing to partner entities for long-term stewardship and interpretation

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• B.A./B.S. degree is required; J.D. or MBA is preferred
• At least 5-10 years’ experience in real estate transactions, project management, or related work
• Ability to establish excellent working relationships, be detail-oriented, and meet project deadlines
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite
• Willingness to travel
• Interest in land conservation and American history preservation is essential
• Salary is commensurate with experience

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid Office) or remote work location in a southeastern state     
Job Classification: Full-Time; Exempt           
Department: Land Preservation
Salary Range: $104,000 – $129,000 annually
Benefits: vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, 403(b) retirement plan, employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, employer-paid disability insurance, paid parental leave, FSA, onsite gym at Washington, DC office 

Location Notes

This position is open to fully remote applicants residing in the following US states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

This position is open to applicants who will work a hybrid schedule and who will be based in the Washington, DC office (working from home up to 2 days per week). Applicants open to a hybrid schedule can be based in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia or West Virginia.