Desert Foothills Land Trust

President & Chief Executive Officer

Cave Creek, AZ

https://www.dflt.org/

Company Description:

Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) is dedicated to conserving strategically significant land in northern Maricopa County, Arizona, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, adjacent to Tonto National Forest. DFLT, which is accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, was founded in 1991 to protect critical habitat from aggressive urban growth in metropolitan Phoenix. In the 35 years since, DFLT has protected 1,100 Sonoran Desert acres working in communities in the north Valley, most commonly with the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree. Protected land includes privately owned easements, DFLT-owned preserves and public lands protected in partnership with DFLT. The organization actively encourages the public to appreciate and support efforts to preserve the habitat of the Sonoran Desert, which exists nowhere else in the world, via educational programs and participation in community events. The reputation of DFLT in the community is stellar, and the organization is considered one of the nonprofit cornerstones of the area.

Position Description: 

The President & CEO is a full-time, exempt, salaried position located in the Carefree, Arizona office. The President & CEO reports to a volunteer Board of Directors, which is actively engaged in the strategic direction of the organization. The Board currently includes eight members, including the President & CEO. The President & CEO supervises staff, which includes a full-time Chief Development Officer and full-time Director of Community Engagement. The President & CEO also is supported by a part-time, contracted bookkeeper. An active group of volunteers is also engaged in board committees, most of which the President & CEO participates in and supports in a staff support role.

Responsibilities:

• Leading efforts to pursue strategically significant properties that maximize the achievement of DFLT’s goal to protect critical Sonoran Desert. This includes acting as the organization’s conservation lead, with special attention to legal obligations, standards and best practices in land trust management, including all requirements to maintain Land Trust Alliance accreditation.
• Representing the organization in the community, including interfacing with public sector partners, and delivering presentations to a wide range of audiences and community events.
• Ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization through short- and long-term fundraising plans. This includes overseeing the annual budget, engaging philanthropists and other financial partners to help DFLT secure key properties and engaging the Board in broadening the donor base.
• Working with the Board of Directors to craft vision and strategy and translating strategy into organizational action plans.
• Providing leadership and direction to the staff.
• Overseeing day-to-day operations, which includes ensuring compliance with all nonprofit and accreditation standards.
• The President is expected to regularly attend programs, meetings and events outside a daytime and weekday schedule.
• DFLT being a small operation, the President is expected to regularly manage staff and volunteers with event preparation and implementation, which can include lifting and carrying modestly heavy items.

Requirements:

• Leadership skills and a passion for environmental conservation.
• Experience in leading land conservation efforts, possibly in a land trust, or a conservation-based organization.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of land conservation, including conservation easements and preserve management.
• Strong skills in and a drive to direct fundraising, philanthropic engagement and financial negotiations.
• Superior communications skills, including small group interactions and public speaking and writing.
• Experience working with community partners, including public sector leaders.
• Ideally, three to five years of experience leading a nonprofit organization, reporting to a volunteer board of directors.
• Experience supervising staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated skills in project management, in particular the ability to translate strategic plans into performance-based implementation plans.
• Excellent technology skills with standard office software and digital processes.
• A four-year university degree or equivalent practical experience preferred.
• A valid driver’s license and insurability.

Why consider the opportunity?

• Make a lasting impact by leading conservation efforts that protect the irreplaceable Sonoran Desert.
• Step into a highly visible leadership role, serving as the face of a trusted, accredited land trust with a great reputation in the community.
• Partner with an engaged Board, dedicated staff, and passionate volunteers to shape strategy and drive meaningful environmental outcomes.
• Lead a mission-driven organization where your work directly translates into preserved land, protected habitat, and increased community engagement.

For more information, please contact:

Haley Dagit                                                             Colleen Neese

Senior Executive Recruiter                                  Vice President, Practice Development

(602) 654-1995                                                       (602) 802-8329

hdagit@duffygroup.com                                     cneese@duffygroup.com