Job Opportunities

Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

About the position and The Land Trust for Tennessee:
The Land Trust for Tennessee (“LTTN”) is a statewide, accredited non-profit land conservation organization with both urban and farm offices in Nashville and an office in Chattanooga. Now in our 17th year, LTTN has protected nearly 126,000 acres through nearly 400 conservation projects across Tennessee. Tennessee’s landscapes are diverse with farms; vast forests; rivers of local and international significance; fragile and robust wildlife habitats; and some of the fastest growing cities and towns in our country. LTTN seeks a seasoned, collaborative professional to join our committed team and our highly-regarded board in this full-time position. The position is based in Chattanooga with a regional focus and offers an impactful, demanding work opportunity at one of the South’s premiere conservation organizations. The organization operates in an intentional culture of accountability, collaboration, and balance. We have a $2 million/year organizational budget and we annually raise between $2 million and $5 million for direct conservation purposes.

Summary:
The Land Trust for Tennessee is seeking a leader for the organization’s efforts in Southeast Region of Tennessee. The primary responsibilities of this position are to raise the profile of The Land Trust for Tennessee in the region, build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and donors in the region, conduct education and engagement efforts in these communities resulting in support for our conservation efforts, pursue funding opportunities for the organization as well as individual projects, oversee day-to-day operations of the Chattanooga Office, and collaborate as needed on land and conservation transactions in the region. The position requires a resourceful, creative individual who can clearly articulate the need for land conservation in focal conservation areas identified by The Land Trust’s recent conservation planning efforts and the ongoing THRIVE Regional Partnership planning effort.

Reports to: Senior Leadership

Essential Functions:
– Effectively represent LTTN’s interests in the southeast region
– Develop and implement effective education and engagement programs targeting landowners, community groups, government entities and potential funders about the work of LTTN
– Cultivate and maintain partnerships with other conservation organizations, funders, community groups and other stakeholders in the region to develop projects of mutual interest
– Act as a leading voice in the implementation of the THRIVE Regional Partnership Natural Treasures Initiative plan
– Secure funding opportunities to support LTTN’s work in the region including operational and project funding
– Work closely with the Vice President of Conservation to create and implement strategic conservation plans for the southeast region
– Supervise the southeast region Conservation Project Manager
– Oversee operations for the Chattanooga office in conjunction with the Director of Finance and Operations

Experience Requirements
– A bachelor’s degree or higher
– Proven track record of fundraising success in nonprofits of equal or greater size with demonstrated professional growth over the last 7 years
– A passion for and working understanding of land conservation
– Demonstrated success in the acquisition and stewardship of supporters at all levels, from event volunteers and $10 members to seven-figure donors and foundations
– Demonstrated success managing a communications and public relations function
– An entrepreneurial, self-directed yet cooperative approach to building and guiding a development program and a comfort level with reaching out to and directly engaging donors in our mission
– Proven communication skills, with the ability to summarize information and connect with a variety of audiences; clarity and persuasiveness in written and oral communications; and a high comfort level with current electronic media, including basic database experience and experience working in an almost paperless environment
– Knowledge of nonprofit financial budgeting and planning
– Working knowledge of Salesforce software programs and their capabilities would be extremely helpful
– A knowledge of and appreciation for Tennessee’s landscapes and communities, especially in the southeastern part of our state

Personal Characteristics
– Integrity and Authenticity – Is widely trusted and seen as direct, truthful individual; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent her/himself for personal gain
– Managing Vision and Purpose – Communicates a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose; talks beyond today; talks about possibilities; is optimistic; creates mileposts and symbols to rally support behind the vision; makes the vision sharable by everyone
– Results and Action Oriented – Enjoys working hard; is full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging; can be counted on to exceed goals; steadfastly pushes self and others for results
– Interpersonal Skills – Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; listens; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; truly values people
– Perseverance – Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance
– Customer Focus – Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect
– Motivating Others and Delegation – Creates a climate in which people want to do their best; pushes tasks and decisions down; empowers others; invites input from each person and shares ownership and visibility; makes each individual feel his/her work is important; is someone people like working for and with; is good at establishing clear directions; sets stretching objectives; distributes the workload appropriately; lays out work in a well-planned and organized manner; maintains two-way dialogue with others on work and results
– Priority Setting – Spends her/his time and the time of others on what’s important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Background check required prior to hire. Comprehensive benefits package, including medical and life insurance with dental, vision, and disability options. The Land Trust for Tennessee is an equal opportunity employer and a tobacco-free environment.

Please send résumé and salary requirements to Kayla McBride, Operations Manager, via email, or by mail to The Land Trust for Tennessee, Attn: Kayla McBride, PO Box 41027, Nashville, TN 37204. No phone calls, please.