Are you looking to use your skills to impact conservation on a statewide level? The Indiana Land Protection Alliance (ILPA) is looking for a dynamic individual who is passionate about land protection to serve as Executive Director. Founded in 2004, ILPA works to increase the pace and quality of land conservation in Indiana. Members include regional land trusts and other organizations working to permanently protect land in Indiana.
The Executive Director will set overarching strategy for ILPA; will advocate effectively for its mission with decision makers; will oversee educational programming for member organizations and provide executive oversight for all aspects of ILPA’s operations, including finances, funding and fundraising, programming and stewardship. The Executive Director will report to the President of the ILPA Board of Directors.
Strong candidates should have a successful record of partnership cultivation, fundraising experience, advocacy, non-profit leadership, excellent communication skills, and a general enthusiasm for conservation.
This is a full-time position with flexibility to accommodate evening meetings and weekend work. Applicants will need to be able to travel to visit member organizations and properties throughout Indiana.
Job Posting
Job Title: Executive Director
Reports to: President, Board of Directors
Founded in 2004, the Indiana Land Protection Alliance (ILPA) works to increase the pace and quality of land conservation in Indiana.
The Executive Director works with the board to set overarching strategy for ILPA; advocates effectively for its mission with decision makers; oversees & implements educational programming for member organizations, and provides executive oversight for all aspects of ILPA’s operations, including finances, funding and fundraising, programming, stewardship, and administrative duties. This work aligns with ILPA’s strategic plan.
Responsibilities of this Job
Organizational Resource Development
- Fundraising
The Executive Director is expected to lead the cultivation of relationships with existing and potential donors, and to ensure that these relationships successfully translate into the accomplishment of the organization’s unrestricted and restricted fundraising goals through donations. The Executive Director will develop and manage a portfolio of major donors and is responsible for personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding these donors. The Executive Director is responsible, in partnership with the Board of Directors, for defining the unrestricted and restricted fundraising and development goals necessary for accomplishing ILPA’s mission and strategic objectives and for successfully realizing those goals. - Advocacy
The Executive Director is responsible for effectively advocating for ILPA’s mission representing members with decision makers, donors, partners, agencies, the media, and the broader community. To ensure consistent messaging, the Executive Director will work alongside partners’ Government Relations staff on statewide land trust priorities. The Executive Director must have the skills and experience to communicate effectively and compellingly with these stakeholders, create long-term partnerships, and successfully solicit their assistance in helping ILPA meet its funding and programming goals. This will include working with legislators to inform, educate, keep abreast and report on the legislative process to our ILPA members.
Organizational Leadership
Strategic and Annual Work Planning
The Executive Director works with the Board of Directors to implement our strategic plan and provide direction to ensure ILPA accomplishes its growth goals and remains a stable, viable entity that is able to carry out its mission. The Executive Director presents to the Board of Directors, for its approval, a program of work for each fiscal year supported by a plan for the financial implementation of proposed programs. The Executive Director oversees the implementation of the program of work and regularly reports to the Board metrics that enable the Board to evaluate the status of operations and programs of work.
Policy Development
The Executive Director is responsible for guiding the Board in policy development to ensure that federal, state, local and other policies, laws, rules and/or regulations are developed or sustained in keeping with the best interest of land conservation in Indiana. This may include serving on committees, commissions, boards, and other bodies to ensure that the needs and voices of land conservation are clearly reflected in policy and program development. This also includes serving as the spokesperson for ILPA, its members and Board.
Building Member Capacity
The Executive Director is instrumental to the success of land conservation and preservation throughout Indiana with and through a network of member organizations and related stakeholders. The Executive Director leads capacity building work, coordinating workshops, training days in the field, and one-on-one guidance for ILPA members.
Executive Oversight
Operations
The Executive Director is responsible for providing support to the President of the Board of Directors, and the management of the day-to-day operations of ILPA. These responsibilities include, among others: insurance policies; overseeing and reporting ILPA’s progress toward annual work plan and strategic plan goals; financial oversight and reporting including making deposits and payments; and preparing for and attending Board of Directors, relevant Board Committee, and other meetings related to the key activities of the organization.
Communications
The Executive Director will ensure that external and internal communications needs are effectively and proactively met, including use of ILPA’s website and periodic email blasts, news releases, social and other print/electronic communications that are significant to land conservation in Indiana and/or important to achieving the mission and goals of ILPA.
Key Partnerships
The Executive Director will maintain and develop partnerships and serve as liaison with key constituent groups and organizations in Indiana and nationally, including conservation groups and organizations; local government groups and associations; economic development and tourism groups and associations and others as necessary and appropriate to attain the mission and goals of ILPA.
Parameters of the Executive Director Position
Type: Full Time Salary.
Hours: Minimum of forty hours per week, flexible to accommodate evening meetings and weekends.
Education requirements: Master’s Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree with significant experience and proven track record of results in applicable roles.
Specific knowledge/skills/experience
A genuine enthusiasm for conservation and, in particular, the mission, goals and values of ILPA;
Advocate for policy and participating in policy development;
Successful history of effective partnership cultivation, and fundraising;
Strong marketing, public relations, and media communications skills; history of success in creating awareness of and creating advocates for an organizational mission and its programming;
Strong organizational skills and managerial experience: ability to manage multiple priorities seamlessly;
Five or more years’ experience in a leadership role, preferably in a non-profit environment;
Demonstrated proficiency in budgeting and other matters related to the financial management of a complex entity;
Exceptional skills in written and oral communications, including public speaking; and
Experience in land conservation is preferred.
Working Conditions: Office and outdoors (all seasons).
Physical Requirements: Ability to walk up to several miles per day over rough terrain in year-round weather conditions.
Travel: Must possess reliable transportation for visiting member properties throughout Indiana. Occasional travel out of state required.
To Apply
To apply please send a cover letter, resume and references to: indianalandprotectionalliance@gmail.com
No phone calls, please. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.