Executive Director

ORGANIZATION:

Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, the Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC) is a land trust – a nonprofit, community-based conservation organization that permanently conserves and stewards land for public benefit in the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina. With nearly 16,000 acres protected across a six-county region, CLC saves land and connects lives to nature by promoting and implementing conservation initiatives to balance the region’s growth. To date, CLC has preserved 15,954 acres of land with agricultural, ecological, cultural, recreational, and scenic benefits, protected 150 miles of stream frontage, and, in the last five years, saved 3,360 acres of farmland.

CLC is the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail (CTT), a 15-county, two-state initiative that links trails, greenways, and conservation corridors, creating a permanent legacy of conservation and recreation for more than 2.9 million people. In coordination with its many community partners, CTT has created over 170 miles of blueway and 260 miles of trails throughout the region. It plans to build over 1,350 miles of additional trails in the future, connecting communities and destinations across North and South Carolina.

For more information, please visit www.catawbalands.org or www.carolinathreadtrail.org.

REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS:

The Executive Director will report to ­­­­the boards for each organization and lead a team of 15 across the two organizations. The Carolina Thread Trail board, housed at Foundation For The Carolinas, has engaged Catawba Lands Conservancy to staff and manage the CTT.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

The Executive Director will lead and manage all aspects of the two land conservation and recreation organizations. Specific duties will include, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Develop strategic plans and initiatives that support and advance the missions of each organization.
  • Identify and cultivate diversified funding sources.
  • Work closely with the two boards of directors.
  • Work to continually increase the level of community engagement.
  • Provide day-to-day management of staff and volunteers.
  • Serve as the face of the organizations, both regionally and nationally.
  • Lead all aspects of budgeting, human resources, financial support, and donor relationships.
  • Maintain and enhance relationships with community partners, public funding agencies, and elected officials.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Strong business acumen; demonstrated success in leading the fiscal and administrative aspects of an organization.
  • Passion for land conservation and the ability to articulate that passion across the region.
  • Proven success in fund development and knowledge of current and evolving trends in philanthropy.
  • Highly organized and collaborative; works effectively with people at all levels; able to act decisively while engendering a cooperative spirit with the boards, staff, donors, landowners, volunteers, developers, media, and general public.
  • Able to plan, budget, organize, direct, and implement programs; adept at developing strategic plans, procedures, and projects to meet organizational goals.
  • Effective negotiator; able to manage complex financial and legal aspects of land acquisition; experience with real estate contracts is a plus.
  • Exceptionally strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
  • Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree in business or related field is preferred.

COMPENSATION:

Compensation will be commensurate with experience including a competitive base salary and competitive benefits package.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

704.377.0362