THE SEARCH

The Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT), one of the largest regional land trusts in the country and a leading practitioner of community-centered conservation, seeks an inspiring, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its next President.

For more than four decades, UVLT has been a trusted leader in protecting the lands, waters, and natural resources that define the Upper Valley region. Based in Hanover, New Hampshire, UVLT serves 45 towns across the Upper Connecticut River Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont, providing conservation leadership, tools, and expertise to permanently protect the working farms, forested ridges, wildlife habitat, water resources, trails, and scenic landscapes that define the region. Since its founding, UVLT has protected more than 58,000 acres across more than 500 parcels of land, working alongside landowners, communities, volunteers, and conservation partners to create a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable future for the Upper Valley. The organization’s current conservation plan and approach to land conservation incorporates climate-informed resource analysis developed with the support of the Open Space Institute, ensuring that its work is informed by the changing ecological landscape and positioned to protect the region’s most important natural resources for generations to come. Today, UVLT owns and cares for 40 conservation areas, protects more than 200 miles of trails, and maintains nine primitive paddler campsites.

The next President will join UVLT at an important moment. This leader will inherit a remarkable conservation legacy and a deeply trusted institution and, at the same time, will have the opportunity to (re)envision what land conservation can accomplish for the Upper Valley in the decades ahead. The President will articulate and drive UVLT’s vision, set strategic direction, ensure strong execution and operational excellence, and secure the resources necessary to sustain and grow UVLT's impact. This leader will be accountable for organizational results and will ensure that UVLT operates in accordance with the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, maintaining the highest levels of ethical conduct, fiduciary responsibility, and excellence in land conservation and stewardship.

 The successful candidate will be energized by UVLT’s mission and inspired by the opportunity to bring people together to shape a shared vision for the future. Through listening, convening, and supporting diverse voices across the region, UVLT works collaboratively with communities to develop a vision that is truly their own—and to build the relationships, trust, belief, and tools needed to bring that vision to life. This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting difference in one of New England’s most beautiful and beloved landscapes while helping foster a more connected, engaged, and resilient community. Upper Valley Land Trust has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in strict confidence to the firm as indicated at the end of this document.

COMPENSATION AND LOCATION

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with the successful candidate’s background, experience, and expertise. UVLT also offers a comprehensive benefits package. The President is expected to reside locally or within close proximity to UVLT.

The Upper Valley is renowned for its extraordinary natural beauty: a landscape of rolling forested hills, working farms, rivers and streams, mountain vistas, and four distinct seasons. The Connecticut River bisects the region, and the surrounding hills and forests offer abundant opportunities for hiking, skiing, paddling, cycling, farming, and simply experiencing the outdoors. The region also benefits from vibrant communities, excellent schools, cultural and educational institutions, and a strong sense of civic engagement. For an individual drawn to conservation, community, and the outdoors, the opportunity to live in and lead an organization dedicated to protecting such a remarkable landscape offers an exceptional convergence of professional purpose and personal quality of life.

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS

UVLT has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this important recruitment. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/upper-valley-land-trust/president.

Nella Young, Karson Freeman, and Harley Bartles

Isaacson, Miller

The Upper Valley Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer.