Hiring: Executive Director – Land for Good

Land For Good seeks its next Executive Director

Land For Good (LFG), a regional leader and innovator on issues of farmland access, land tenure and farm transfer, seeks it’s next Executive Director who is passionate about farming, farmland, food systems, and social change to lead and support a team across New England. For nearly two decades, LFG has been working to put more farmers more securely on land in New England, to support farm viability, increase farming opportunity, and keep land in farming. LFG is a nationally recognized leader in the field of farmland access, tenure, and transfer.

With a strong core team, and a network of diverse partners, LFG is poised to move into a new phase of innovation and strategic impact. Amid on-going and dynamic change around food systems, land access, and climate disruption, LFG seeks a candidate who shares a commitment to centering social justice, equity and inclusion in the organization’s work.

LFG’s next Executive Director will be an effective leader at both the organizational and strategic levels, with substantial experience in:

• fundraising,
• management and oversight,
• organizational administration,
• networking, growing and stewarding relationships, and
• effectively supporting organization-wide goals.

LFG strives for a society grounded in the principles of social and economic justice. LFG seeks to achieve excellence through a diverse and inclusive workplace that honors the unique talents and lived experiences of each individual. LFG actively seeks people who bring diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives.

The successful candidate will possess exceptional interpersonal, communication and management skills, based on experience building trust and collaborating with a diversity of team members and audiences. The ability to set strategy and plans and adapt strategically and operationally to a changing environment is essential. This position reports to the Board of Directors and will work closely with the Board, Program Director, and Communications and Business Managers. LFG will work with the candidate whose skills, innovative thinking, and passion are aligned with the organization’s mission.

Areas of Responsibility
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Compensation
Location and travel
How to Apply
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Amid COVID

Areas of Responsibility (approximate time allocation)

1. Fund development (40%)
   a.  Assess, develop, and execute a fundraising strategy with the goal of increasing unrestricted sources, through individual donor and foundation prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with a goal to raise $250K by Q4 of 2023.
2. External relations (20%)
   a.  Partner with the Program Director and other staff as appropriate to serve as the face of the organization, and support and maintain relationships with program collaborators, community partners, funders, peer groups, government representatives, etc.
   b.  Actively embrace advocacy opportunities with stakeholders and partners, including state and federal funders.
3. Organizational management and administration (20%)
   a.  Manage the team, including finance, personnel, and human resources. Oversee operational issues.
   b.  Ensure disciplined budget, development, and financial management.
   c.  With board president and officers, manage, support, and develop the Board of Directors to fulfill its key governance, oversight, and fund development roles.
   d.  Continue to lead the organization’s initiatives underway regarding equity and justice work. Support internal and external work on these issues in relation to organizational culture and operations, staff development, external relations, and program strategy and delivery.
4. Communications support and strategic oversight (10%)
   a.  Provide input and review communications strategy and tactics to achieve outreach, marketing, and development communications goals.
   b.  Review and contribute to specific communications intended for public and key stakeholders’ consumption to ensure brand and message consistency.
5. Program support and strategic oversight (10%)
   a.  Provide support to the Program Director, and other team members as appropriate, in refining, revisioning and implementing program strategies and goals.
   b.  As needed, contribute to program content, and engage in workshops, mentorships, and technical assistance for LFG’s core audiences.

Required Qualifications 

• The successful candidate must have a demonstrated track record of fundraising success in comparable non-profit settings, including experience and skills with:
  a.  Developing and executing a feasible, multi-pronged development strategy
  b.  Major donor prospecting, solicitation and stewardship, and related Board engagement
  c.  Development communications strategy and tactics for multiple audiences and in multiple channels
  d.  Proven success at planning, writing, securing, and managing grants of various sizes from private foundations and government agencies
  e.  Creative and effective storytelling around organizational mission and impact and with both emotional and impact appeal
• Experience in senior management or managing an organization of comparable size and organizational development
  a.  Experience managing people and human resources
  b.  Solid understanding and fluency in budgeting and financial management
  c.  Experience working with, managing and/or developing a volunteer, non-profit board of directors
  d.  Effective collaborating remotely in a regionally distributed organization/hybrid environment (balancing in person contact with remote work)
  e.  Experience maintaining, refining/adapting and developing internal policies, processes and systems
• Passion for farming, agriculture, food systems, land conservation, natural resource, environmental and/or community economic development issues
• Creative and effective problem solver
• Sound judgment: ability to partner with others to identify and address complex issues; frame risk and engage board and other stakeholders to execute change
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills – an ability to engage with a wide range of people in diverse settings
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, in multiple modes and contexts, and with diverse agricultural, landowner, professional, community and government stakeholders
• Self-directed with a high attention to detail
• Organized and flexible; capable of developing and implementing a work plan, while juggling multiple planned and unforeseen demands daily
• Working knowledge and/or fluency with Google suite of applications, Microsoft Office suite, case management databases, Zoom and other cloud or remote computing platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the agricultural and food systems community in New England
• A related Associates, Bachelor’s degree and/or comparable work/community experience
• Professional or volunteer experience with mission-driven service, public education, and advocacy work
• Previous experience with organization change

Our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you!

Compensation

This is a full-time, 40 hour/week position. Annual salary range is $70,000 – $80,000 with final salary dependent on qualifications. Compensation includes paid sick time, 15 holidays and 10 vacation days (in the first year), and employer contributions to a SIMPLE IRA. Direct work-related expenses are reimbursed, and LFG provides a home office stipend.  Land For Good actively supports professional development.

Location and travel

This position is fully remote and requires a home office with a reliable internet connection. Candidates must be located in New England and have access to a car for occasional regional travel, staff meetings and gatherings, and some evening and weekend work will be required. National travel is required occasionally.

How to Apply

Please use the online Application Form to to describe your interest in the position and submit your resume.

If you are having challenges with this form or have questions for the search committee, please reach out to employment@landforgood.org with an email subject: “Executive Director search”.

Review of applications will begin July 1. The position will remain open until filled.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Land For Good has a clear vision: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people do their best work to ensure the future of farming and food systems. The organization runs on the hard work and dedication of a passionate and creative team – staff, board, consultants, and partners. The organization’s vision and values are reflected in its employment-related decisions, including hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Amid COVID

We remain committed to carrying our mission forward while taking necessary health and safety precautions to protect our team and the communities in which we live. We continue to monitor and adhere to all applicable guidelines.