The Bainbridge Island Land Trust (BILT) seeks an Executive Director to lead its mission of conserving and stewarding the diverse natural environments of Bainbridge Island for the benefit of all. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead an organization with a deep legacy, strong community relationships, a stellar reputation, and an important role in shaping the future of Bainbridge Island.

Bainbridge Island is nestled at the heart of the Puget Sound ecosystem, a place of extraordinary natural beauty, remarkable ecological diversity, and abundant wildlife. As population and development pressures continue to grow, the mission of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust is more critical than ever.

BILT focuses its efforts on conserving those areas with significant ecological and community value including shorelines, streams, wetlands, forests, tidelands, and critical wildlife habitats. These protected lands provide essential benefits—from watershed protection and wildlife habitat to scenic beauty, open space, and opportunities for people to connect with nature.

Since its inception, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust has helped protect more than 1,600 acres of vulnerable forests, wetlands, meadows, shorelines, agricultural lands, streams, riparian corridors, and scenic vistas on Bainbridge Island, including more than 1,100 acres that are open to the public for enjoyment and recreation.

In fulfilling its essential conservation mission, BILT partners with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community members, and private landowners to acquire and protect land—and ensure that privately protected lands are thoughtfully stewarded for generations to come.

Bainbridge Island is a place where history, natural beauty, and strong community spirit converge.

Bainbridge Island has a rich history rooted in the Suquamish Tribe’s thousands of years of land stewardship, a legacy that continues to the present day. On Bainbridge Island, protecting the environment remains a core community value and a top priority for community members and local philanthropists.  

Bainbridge Island is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle, making it both easily accessible and distinctly separate. It is the number one day-trip destination for visitors coming from Seattle—yet the island retains a quiet and rural character. Despite its small size and low population (25,000), Bainbridge Island has a vibrant arts scene; an array of cultural, social, and historical resources; abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts; and a caring and philanthropic citizenry. Education is one of Bainbridge’s defining strengths: the public schools are consistently ranked among the best in the state.

In many ways, Bainbridge is defined by contrasts: small-town quiet within reach of a major city, a sense of rural calm paired with a deep commitment to arts and culture, and long-standing traditions alongside a diverse range of newcomers. For many who live here, it offers the best of both worlds—a slower pace of life, surrounded by natural beauty and a community whose members genuinely look out for each other.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  

• Provides visionary strategic leadership and tactical support to Board and staff
• Builds and nurtures a collaborative and strong organization
• Inspires, leads, and manages a professional team of ten+ employees
• Reports to and collaborates with a 15-member Board of Directors
• Prepares and implements budgets, work plans, and long-term strategic plans
• Maintains strong governing bylaws, policies and practices in tandem with Board
• Engages actively in donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Manages the organization’s operations and finances with the highest integrity
• Oversees all aspects of the human resources function
• Collaborates with local, state, and tribal sovereigns, and with a broad base of donors, landowners, agencies, and community members

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

• A passion for BILT’s mission and vision
• 5+ years of senior management experience
• Strong experience developing and executing strategy and vision for an organization and/or department
• Demonstrated ability to understand and oversee organizational finances, including budgeting, financial forecasting, cash flow, financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management
• Able to interpret financial statements and use financial information to make sound strategic and operational decisions
• Experience managing an organization or department with multiple programs
• Experience leading a team of 3+ direct reports
• Track record of promoting a collaborative work environment where staff are heard, and where staff are motivated and inspired to perform at their highest levels
• Experience working in conservation
• Familiarity with natural resource protection, including the principles of ecology and conservation biology
• Familiarity and understanding of the PNW’s environmental/conservation issues
• Outstanding communicator: excellent speaking, writing, and listening skills
• Can tell BILT's story in a compelling and authentic way
• Experience developing and building alliances and partnerships
• Comfortable navigating diverse governmental relationships
• Able to develop and maintain relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Commitment to principles of cultural humility in working with diverse communities
• Ability to be a big picture thinker in terms of diversifying funding streams
• Comfortable and willing to make gift solicitations
• Track record of building strong, trusting relationships with public and private partners to address complex issues and develop innovative solutions
• Strong organizational skills and a business orientation that leverages and optimizes resources

Highly Preferred:

• Experience in nonprofit and/or governmental organizations
• Direct experience working with and/or reporting to a board of directors or board committee
• Experience with building relationships with donors
• Experience working with government agencies

PERSONAL QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

• Big picture thinker who is also comfortable with the details
• High EQ
• Leader who is capable and comfortable with making tough decisions
• Multi-tasker who is excellent on follow-through
• Flexible and nimble problem solver
• Collaborator and consensus-builder
• Transparent and trustworthy partner, internally and externally