Position Overview: Executive Director

Full Position Profile

The Executive Director serves as the primary leader, face, and voice of the Mendocino Land Trust (MLT). Leading a talented staff of 11, this role requires a collaborative leader who can deepen regional relationships, expand outreach across Mendocino County, and partner effectively with the board, landowners, tribal partners, and public agencies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Visionary Leadership & Conservation Urgency

• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with staff and the Board. Develop and execute long-term strategic and annual work plans. Ensure all plans align with MLT’s mission and meet accreditation standards.
• Collaborative Leadership: Provide visionary guidance that respects MLT’s culture of consensus and inclusive decision-making.
• Growth and Partnerships: Drive organizational growth (particularly inland), champion conservation policy, and build regional credibility.
• Core Priorities: Advance indigenous/community partnerships, climate resilience, equitable access, and voluntary land conservation/acquisition.
• Program Oversight: Ensure land protection, stewardship, restoration, and public access programs maximize mission impact and conservation urgency.
• External Alliance: Represent MLT and participate with the Land Trust Alliance, the California Council of Land Trusts, and peer organizations.

Community Relations

• Ambassadorship: Lead staff and board in regional outreach—connecting deeply with landowners, community members, local and state officials, agency partners, media, First Nations, and diverse communities.

Funding & Financial Sustainability

• Fundraising Leadership: Partner with the development team and Board to diversify and expand revenue streams, cultivating major donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors by effectively telling the story of MLT’s mission.
• Grant Management: Oversee the pursuit, compliance, and reporting of public and private grants to secure consistent project funding.
• Fiscal Oversight: Manage the organization’s budget, ensuring long-term financial health, accurate forecasting, and responsible asset allocation.

Operations & Staff Management

• Team Empowerment: Support, mentor, and retain a high-performing staff, fostering a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
• Board Governance: Maintain a transparent partnership with the Board of Directors, facilitate thework of Board officers and committees, and provide regular updates on strategic goals, riskmanagement, and organizational health.
• Risk & Compliance: Ensure full legal, regulatory, and Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices compliance across all land transactions, stewardship obligations, and non-profit operations.

Desired Skills and Experience

MLT seeks an inspiring, down-to-earth leader who brings deep humility, warmth, and a genuine love for
rural community life to conservation work in Mendocino County.

Conservation Background

• Conservation Commitment: A genuine, abiding dedication to land conservation, public access, and protecting working lands and native habitats.
• Standards & Accreditation: Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance standards and practices preferred.
• Local Knowledge: Desirable understanding of Mendocino County communities, rural culture, and local natural resource issues.
• Forward-Looking Vision: Ability to modernize MLT so the organization can sustainably grow and evolve over time.

Relationships and Connections

• Relationship Builder: A track record of connecting with diverse groups—from rural landowners and farmers to conservation advocates.
• Indigenous Partnerships: Experience working with Indigenous communities and a commitment to supporting land return projects.
• Rural Cultural Fit: Clear fit with the unique rural community dynamics of Mendocino County.
• Equity Focus: MLT is an equity-centered organization. Fundraising
• Relationship-Driven Development: Skilled in fundraising, viewing development as a shared investment in place rather than a mere transaction.
• Proven Fundraising Track Record: Experienced in securing major and planned gifts through relationship-driven cultivation.

We recognize that a variety of educational, work, and life experiences may contribute to a candidate's preparedness for a position, and encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications listed above.

Mendocino Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer.