Executive Director

Executive Director

Location: Redlands, CA

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $110,000 – $125,000 annually (based on experience)

On-Call Requirement: Flexible schedule with periodic on-call responsibilities, including evenings and weekends

Position Summary

Redlands Conservancy is seeking an experienced and mission-driven Executive Director (ED) to serve as the operational leader of our organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for managing day-to-day internal business operations, executing long-term strategic plans, and overseeing the organization's financial health. This role also oversees staff, organizational programs, our volunteer network, and relationships with community members, institutional partners, agencies, and government entities.

Leadership of Redlands Conservancy is divided into two complementary roles: the Executive Director (ED) and the Development Director (DD). The ED leads internal operations, programs, and organizational strategy, while the DD leads fund development and external partnerships. The ideal ED candidate is a proactive, organized leader who thrives on stewarding people, programs, and properties, and who is passionate about historic preservation and land conservation.

Our Core Values

Redlands Conservancy is an inclusive, community-based organization. We work in cooperation with our partners and look for ways to creatively solve problems. We do not tolerate discrimination, nor do we allow divisive or exclusionary behaviors. We celebrate the diverse talents and capabilities that our members, volunteers, and board members bring to the organization to serve the greater Redlands community. We do the work we do because of our passion for Redlands' history, environment, and heritage, and we are committed to preserving the things that make Redlands such a special place. And we always have fun!

Cooperation

We regularly partner with local, regional, state, and federal agencies and entities to accomplish mutual goals that benefit the community of Redlands.

Tolerance

We do not tolerate discrimination, nor allow divisive or exclusionary behaviors.

Celebration of Volunteers

We understand that the diverse talents and capabilities that our members, volunteers, and board members bring to the organization serve the entire Redlands community.

Passion for Our Work

We do the work we do because of our passion for Redlands' heritage and unique historical and natural settings.

Commitment to Redlands

We are committed to preserving the things that make Redlands an outstanding place to live, work, and play.

Joy

We always have fun!

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Staff Management

• Direct daily employee activities, set clear performance goals, and supervise all organizational programs and projects related to historic preservation and land management.
• Attend periodic conferences relevant to historic preservation and land management, and encourage board member participation in professional development.
• Coordinate and manage diverse volunteer-led projects.

Financial Management

• Develop the annual budget in partnership with Volunteer Leads, the Development Director, and the Executive Committee.
• Work closely with Accounting Services to manage day-to-day accounting, conduct semi-annual revenue/expense reviews, and manage insurance policies.
• Manage and oversee contacts, the donor database, and donor acknowledgements.

Asset & Property Management

• Directly oversee operations, programs (such as Outdoor Education offerings), and projects (e.g., build-out of new trails or facilities) at the Gateway Ranch property, the Historic Asistencia property, and the organization's public trails and preserves.

Program & Project Management

• Directly oversee projects and related budgets for construction projects, renovations or repairs, acquisitions and large capital projects.
• Work with the Program Specialist to regularly review and adjust existing programs and create new programs that advance the organization's mission.

Volunteer Cultivation

• Working with the Program Specialist and Volunteer Leads, recruit, develop, and set a high standard for the treatment and onboarding of our robust volunteer workforce.

Events & Operational Partnership

• Collaborate with Volunteer Leads on the creation and presentation of annual events (Annual Social, Parties for the Necklace, Trails at 10 hikes) and coordinate day-to-day and long-term organizational activities with the Development Director.

Community Advocacy & Communication

• Manage stakeholder communications and all information channels; create content that tells the organization's story.
• Produce the quarterly newsletter for membership and deliver impactful presentations to community groups.
• Participate in activities of community organizations and champion the organization's message across local and regional media outlets.
• Nurture strategic partnerships with city, county, regional, state, and federal officials and major environmental agencies, including the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Conservation Board, among others.

Board of Directors Coordination

• Produce Board of Directors meeting agendas and minutes, and meet periodically with the Executive Committee to direct committee goals, objectives, and activities.
• Review and refresh Board policies and procedures; prepare the Annual Report and coordinate the Annual Meeting.

Compliance

• Maintain compliance with regulatory agency requirements, including annual Welfare Exemptions and annual filings with the Registry of Charities.

What Success Looks Like

Successful candidates will:

• Provide steady, values-driven leadership that keeps staff, volunteers, and programs aligned with the organization's mission.
• Maintain the organization's financial health and ensure accurate, transparent reporting to the Board.
• Build strong relationships with community members, government agencies, and institutional partners.
• Ensure Redlands Conservancy's properties, trails, and programs are well-managed and welcoming to the public.
• Embody our core values of Cooperation, Tolerance, Celebration of Volunteers, Passion for Our Work, Commitment to Redlands, and Joy every day.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum five (5) years of related executive, operational, and/or non-profit management experience.
• Bachelor's degree (BA) in a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Working knowledge of historic preservation, environmental conservation, project management, and volunteer management.
• High familiarity with modern communication software, slide/presentation tools, website management, and social media platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization publicly.

Preferred

• Prior experience working with a nonprofit board of directors.
• Experience with grant management, government agency relations, or land trust operations.
• Familiarity with mitigation banking programs.
• Familiarity with the Redlands community and local historic or conservation landscape.

Physical Requirements

This role includes regular oversight of outdoor properties and trail systems in addition to office-based work. With or without reasonable accommodation, candidates should be able to:

• Lift and carry up to 40 pounds (e.g., event and program materials, signage, supplies).
• Walk or hike on trails and other outdoor, sometimes uneven, natural terrain for property visits, events, and site oversight.
• Work a flexible schedule that includes regular evening meetings, weekends, and on-call availability.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Why Join Our Team?

• Meaningful work preserving Redlands' history, environment, and heritage for future generations.
• Salary of $110,000–$125,000 (DOE).
• Medical insurance package.
• Paid Time Off: 2 weeks (10 days) paid vacation, 5 personal days, and 7 paid holidays.
• Fully covered mileage expenses from the organization's office.
• Work location flexibility (organization's office and home office/field work).
• Computer and phone provided for administrative use.
• Organization space available for team meetings.

About Redlands Conservancy

Redlands Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, founded in 1994, with a mission to preserve and protect Redlands' historic built environment and conserve its irreplaceable natural and citrus/agricultural environments. The organization manages 750 acres of undeveloped open space, 26 miles of urban and rural public trails, and two historic properties as community assets. It is a program- and project-oriented organization that depends on the work of 75 volunteers, three half-time employees, two on-site caretakers, and one full-time executive director. A new position for a Development Director has been approved recently.

www.redlandsconservancy.org | 909-782-6208

Equal Opportunity & Inclusive Workplace

Redlands Conservancy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fair and equitable hiring practices and to building a team that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind and do not discriminate

• Medical insurance package.
• Paid Time Off: 2 weeks (10 days) paid vacation, 5 personal days, and 7 paid holidays.
• Fully covered mileage expenses from the organization's office.
• Work location flexibility (organization's office and home office/field work).
• Computer and phone provided for administrative use.
• Organization space available for team meetings.