Executive Director, Otsego Land Trust

Otsego Land Trust Seeks Executive Director

About Otsego Land Trust

Founded in 1987, Otsego Land Trust (OLT), is a community-based nonprofit working to protect and conserve local forests, waters, fields, and farms in perpetuity while providing and promoting public access to nature. OLT works in the northernmost headwaters of the Susquehanna Watershed throughout Otsego County, and extending into Schoharie, Delaware, and Herkimer Counties. As the only organization in the region that promotes the preservation of land in perpetuity, Otsego Land Trust plays a unique role in advancing climate resilience and quality of life in its service area.

New York State is far from reaching its goal of conserving 30% of its lands and waters by 2030. New York currently has only 19% and the OLT service area, a mere 5% of lands conserved. This 30% goal is shared by international and federal agencies. The benefits of conservation are clear: the maintenance of biodiversity, flood and erosion mitigation, cooling for urban landscapes, protection of food sources, improved water quality, as well as the maintenance of public access to nature. The OLT service area is facing increasing development pressure. Our efforts aim to build climate resilience through the protection of the agricultural and natural resources of the region as well as contribute to a more sustainable future for the Upper Susquehanna Watershed.

Close to forty years since its founding, OLT now protects over 11,000 acres in perpetuity as the region’s conservation leader. OLT’s efforts include:

• • Donated Conservation Easements on privately owned lands – Donated easements integrate landowner visions and needs for their properties as well as the mission of OLT. OLT has partnered with farmers, hunters, environmentalists, and other landowners to create legal documents that protect their property and its unique conservation attributes in perpetuity.
  • Public Lands – OLT maintains six public access sites, including Brookwood Point, and is working to make more land available for the community to enjoy. Activities available on OLT lands include recreational hiking and paddling, bird watching, fishing, wetland restoration, and research

Otsego County is a place where the American conservation movement was born in the 19th century and is now home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Fenimore Art Museum, Glimmerglass Opera, two colleges, the beautiful Butternut Valley, and the Bassett Health Care Network. Operating out of its headquarters in Cooperstown, NY, OLT has an annual operating budget of approximately $725,000, total assets of $6 million, and a staff of six. OLT is governed by an 8-member Board of Directors comprised of local and regional representatives with deep commitments to conservation and preservation. Since 2021, OLT has been very successfully led by its Executive Director, Greg Farmer, who will retire from his role upon the appointment of his successor.

Opportunity Going Forward

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead a vibrant and growing land trust which has dramatically expanded lands under protection, grown its regional visibility, and nurtured supportive and long-standing relationships with land owners, government officials, donors, and the community at large. The Land Trust seeks a leader to continue a strong growth trajectory with focus, vision and drive. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary professional staff as well as a diverse and committed board to build on the remarkable trajectory of growth achieved during the current Executive Director’s tenure, further expanding OLT’s impact within and beyond Otsego County. In addition to effectively and efficiently overseeing ongoing operations and managing the organization’s finances, the Board has identified three key priorities to meet the organization’s current strategic plan and leading into the 40th Anniversary in 2027:

• Significantly increasing marketing and development efforts to build on a strong individual and institutional donor base while modernizing the image and outlook and culture of the organization.
• Refining and delivering on OLT’s existing growth strategy to continue to position the organization to conserve additional lands while maximizing the impact of highly visible public access properties and programs.
• Expanding OLT’s geographic boundaries by growing into a regional land trust through mutually beneficial partnerships with other organizations and landowners.

Preferred Experience

• A minimum of five years of senior leadership, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of, passion for, and/or experience with land trusts, preservation and/or conservation
• Prior experience as an external representative of an organization with revenue generating responsibilities

Skills and Experience

Visionary, Strategic, and Mission-Driven Leader

• A bold, self-confident, and charismatic leader with a passion for conservation and preservation that is authentic, inspiring, and contagious.
• Skilled at considering, defining, and delivering on a bold and creative strategy to grow and sustain an organization’s vision and impact while also respecting organizational traditions.
• Move thoughtfully, intentionally, and relatively quickly to engage and partner with others, understanding how to create the alliances inherent in land trust work.
• Experience mediating conflict, engaging in challenging conversations, and diffusing tense situations which can occur in the field of conservation and preservation.
• Capable of establishing budgets and assuming the primary responsibility for OLT’s fiscal oversight and financial health.
• Experience working collaboratively with boards and adhering to appropriate governance and management boundaries.

Empowering Team Leader

• A team builder and motivational leader and who is trustworthy, honest, fair, and transparent.
• Decisive, credible, and collaborative leader with the willingness to lift others and share credit.
• Able to incorporate a flexible approach to management and decision-making while also providing clear focus to achieve measurable results.
• Skilled at establishing an inclusive, positive, and supportive work environment that promotes work-life balance.
• Able to refine an organization’s framework and staffing structure to ensure its current and future success.
• A well-organized, focused leader who models attention to detail and strong organizational skills, holds self and others accountable to high standards, and addresses performance issues quickly and fairly.

Steadfast Networker and Collaborator with Exceptional Communication Skills

• Dynamic, energetic, and charismatic ambassador, advocate, and spokesperson with strong communication skills who is connected to OLT’s mission and communities.
• A strong networker with the desire to be OLT’s public face to donors, landowners, state agencies, and partners to sell OLT’s vision and grow participation.
• An engaging and articulate diplomat, an honest, open, authentic, direct, and compassionate consensus builder skilled at communicating with diverse individuals and groups, meeting each where they are.
• Eager and energetic collaborator internally and externally who makes clear decisions and follows through on commitments.

Experienced and Effective Revenue Generator

• An inspiring spokesperson with credibility in the conservation sector who can close the deal, negotiate contracts and agreements, and secure donations.
• Skilled, energetic, and determined fundraiser with a track record of attracting, stewarding, and retaining donors, someone who is eager and adept at “making the ask.”
• A diplomatic negotiator who can interact equally well with landowners, farmers, hunters, partners, and donors, displaying both hard and soft selling skills.
• Eager to consider unique and creative funding strategies and marketing approaches to attract additional support.

Application Guidelines

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with a starting salary range of $130,000 to $150,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications and within the framework of the organization’s annual budget. Candidates should include a resume and a cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of OLT. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Submit required documents at: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/

OLT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer which encourages applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and cultures, particularly candidates of color and/or candidates who know and/or represent the communities OLT serves.

This executive search is being conducted by Eos Transition Partners consultant John Tarvin. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential, and any questions must be submitted to John at: jtarvin@eostransitions.com.