Summary of Position: 

The Lands Director leads GVLT’s efforts to conserve and protect working lands, wildlife habitat, and open space through voluntary, private land conservation in our three-county service area. This position provides strategic leadership on all phases and aspects of conservation transactions—including conservation easements, land acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced conservation professional with strong leadership and negotiation skills, a collaborative spirit, a breadth of knowledge around land conservation tools, federal, state and local funding opportunities, and Montana’s diverse landscapes. 

The Lands Director supervises a talented and dynamic team of four program/project managers, providing collaborative and visionary leadership, technical guidance, and negotiation support to ensure high-quality, legally sound, and strategically aligned land protection outcomes. 

The Lands Director works closely with the Executive Director, Leadership Team, Lands Team and the Board of Directors to help set organizational priorities and implement long-range and annual objectives related to the GVLT mission, as well as managing risk for the organization.  

As part of the Leadership Team, the Lands Director will help manage relationships across the breadth of the organization’s mission with key community partners, vendors, donors, and other organizations and collaborate across departments to look ahead for opportunities and threats to the organization, adjust strategy, and prepare for strategic growth and/or change. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES: 

Program Leadership and Team Management (45%) 

• Lead GVLT’s Land Conservation Program and oversee implementation of strategic conservation priorities. 
• Supervise, mentor, and support a team of four land conservation professionals, fostering collaboration, professional growth, and accountability. 
• Provide technical expertise and negotiation support to staff working on complex conservation transactions. 
• Establish annual work plans and performance goals for the Land Conservation Team and provide ongoing and regular feedback.  
• Lead monthly Lands Committee (Board) meetings, and weekly Lands Team (staff) meetings.  
• Coordinate closely with Stewardship Director and Stewardship Team around project terms and timelines. 
• Report regularly to the Executive Director and Board of Directors on progress, challenges, and emerging opportunities. 

Land Conservation and Transactions (20%) 

• Support Lands Conservation staff with all aspects of land conservation projects, including conservation easements, land acquisitions, and donations. 
• Oversee due diligence processes, including appraisals, title work, environmental assessments, and baseline documentation.  
• Ensure projects comply with Land Trust Alliance (LTA) Standards and Practices and all legal and financial requirements necessary to ensure the perpetual integrity of the project 
• Provide leadership and support for Land Conservation Team on NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects and manage oversight of project funding and timelines. 
• Maintain strong and up-to-date working knowledge of conservation finance, easement law, and natural resource management best practices and emerging trends 
• Build organizational capacity and knowledge of emerging political and policy opportunities and threats to conservation work.  

Partnerships and Community Engagement (20%) 

• Build and maintain strategic, organizational-level relationships with landowners, ranchers, agricultural producers, conservation partners, government agencies, and community leaders. 
• Collaborate with county, state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partners to advance regional conservation goals. 
• Represent GVLT in regional coalitions, working groups, and public meetings. 
• Support outreach and communications efforts to promote the benefits of voluntary private land conservation. 
• Serve as a knowledgeable and trusted representative of the organization in the community. 

Funding and Grant Management (15%) 

• Identify and pursue funding for land protection projects from county, state, federal, and private sources. 
• Write and manage grant proposals, budgets, and reporting requirements – including serving as Project Director on two existing awards through the NRCS RCPP.  
• Collaborate with Development Team to align conservation opportunities with donor interests and philanthropic funding. 
• Track and manage project budgets to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely completion. 

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES 

Skills:  

• Team Builder - Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire, mentor, and hold a diverse team accountable in an environment that balances collaboration and independence.  
• Coach and Mentor - Builds trust; embraces opportunities to further the growth and development of others by building and empowering their capacity and skills; seeks ways to understand and motivate based on individual needs. 
• Clarity Catalyst - Clarifies the outcomes of the work and what progress looks like along the way; delegates as necessary and checks in with a productive cadence. 
• Emotional Intelligence - Leverages self and social awareness to communicate effectively and empathize appropriately’; builds relationships, resolves conflict, and inspires others. 
• Relationship Builder- Excellent rapport and trust-building and communication skills with staff, landowners, partners, and funders. 
• Direction Setter- Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to evaluate and prioritize conservation opportunities. 
• Horizon Scanner- Ability to identify future opportunities and threats for private land conservation. 
• Catalyzer- Tackles unique challenges and opportunities that may overlap with other departments and/or wider organizational impact. 
• Resource Manager- Ensures fiscal stewardship of organizational resources. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Knowledge: 

• Deep understanding of and experience with private lands conservation tools including conservation easements (opportunities, limitations, perpetual stewardship needs). 
• Deep understanding of and experience with fee simple acquisitions and creative purchase strategies  (including real property law, appraisal and title processes, and due diligence requirements). 
• Understanding of public, private, and mitigation funding that supports conservation efforts.  
• Knowledge of Montana’s landscapes, agricultural systems, wildlife habitats, and rural communities. 
• Understanding of current political and policy landscape that impacts conservation work. 
• Experience with grant writing, conservation finance, and project budgeting. 
• Understanding of Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and accreditation processes. 
• Commitment to and understanding of best practices around building belonging within teams and in community. 

Preferred Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental science, rangeland management, conservation planning, or related field (Master’s preferred). 
• 7–10 years of experience in land conservation, real estate, or resource management, with direct experience completing conservation easements and acquisitions. 

Values Alignment: GVLT team members are expected to align with and support our values (see GVLT values on our website)