Chief Conservation and Climate Officer

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Salary: $260,000-$290,000

Hours per week: 40

Job Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Job Type: Hybrid

Location: Massachusetts

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact: As the Trustees’ Chief Conservation and Climate Officer, you’ll be a key strategic leader and champion of the Trustees’ mission of protecting special places in Massachusetts for everyone, forever, at a time when finding innovative and effective solutions to climate change and conservation challenges is critical. You’ll inspire the organization to lead by example, to prepare for climate change within our own portfolio, and to raise our collective voice and knowledge to advocate for conservation solutions and action on a broader scale.

The Role: As the Chief Conservation and Climate Officer at the Trustees, you’ll lead the organization’s overall conservation strategy for large landscapes, urban green space, and iconic special places, managing our Vice President for Land Conservation and Vice President of Natural Resources, along with a seasoned team of technical experts, to ensure that our natural resources are preserved for future generations. With our CEO and as a member of executive leadership, you’ll set and meet strategic goals for conservation, climate, and other key policy objectives, all core to the Trustees’ mission.

Responsibilities:

Climate and Conservation Strategy Development

• Develop and implement innovative conservation strategies that align with The Trustees’ mission and enhance the organization’s impact on biodiversity, ecosystem health, and human access.
• Develop and oversee a land conservation prioritization plan, accelerating the pace of land conservation across Massachusetts, especially in Western Mass.
• Oversee climate mitigation and decarbonization strategy and work, leveraging key partnerships and convening and leading coalitions around pressing climate issues.
• Oversee development and execution of a plan to achieve net zero by 2050.
• Lead and implement an organization-wide climate resiliency strategy to address coastal, inland, and infrastructure climate vulnerabilities.
• Develop key strategic partnerships with research institutions and universities to innovate and deploy nature-based climate solutions on our landscapes.
• Advocate for sound conservation policies at local and state levels, ensuring that The Trustees’ voice is heard in relevant environmental discussions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with governmental agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to advance conservation goals and initiatives.
• Establish key performance indicators to measure program success, regularly evaluate outcomes, and communicate findings to stakeholders and the board.

Community Engagement and Access

• Develop and oversee strategies to enhance access to green space in urban places throughout Massachusetts, fostering meaningful collaboration with communities to support the development and conservation of community gardens and urban parks.
• Design and implement outreach and education programs that promote conservation awareness and encourage community involvement in stewardship efforts.
• Represent The Trustees at events and public engagements to expand our reach and community presence.

Team Leadership, Development, and Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of highly skilled land conservation, climate change, policy, and ecology leaders and professionals, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages professional growth.
• Lead, influence, manage, and collaborate across Trustees departments, aligning interdisciplinary resources to reach strategic goals.
• Represent the Trustees in public forums, with government officials, supporters, members, and partners.
• Champion The Trustees’ commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), embedding these values in our overall strategy and goals.

Financial Management and Fundraising

• Oversee the conservation and climate change budget and advance strategic funding pathways to maximize impact.
• In partnership with the CDO, raise significant funding, including public funds, for land conservation and climate change initiatives, as well as identify opportunities for public grants and foundation support.
• Build out endowments and secure sustainable stewardship funding that ensures new properties acquired by the Trustees will be cared for and preserved in perpetuity.

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the CEO, Katie Theoharides.

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Strong technical knowledge in the fields of conservation, ecology, policy, land use planning, environmental policy, biology, climate science, or related field. Relevant advanced degree preferred.
• 15-20 years directly relevant experience in conservation, environmental policy, climate change, and land use planning.
• Experience leading conservation, climate, and/or environmental initiatives at a regional, statewide, or national level.
• Track record of success earning or granting competitive awards from state, federal, and foundation conservation funding programs.
• Experience leading effective partnerships, convening coalitions, working with government leaders, and working with landowners (preferred).
• Experience managing and deploying interdisciplinary teams working across boundaries and departments.
• Experience with all aspects of land acquisition, including fees, easements, estate planning, and outreach to landowners.
• Proficiency with conservation planning strategies, tools, and funding opportunities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and budget management (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of operations and stewardship (preferred).
• Experience working for an organization or government agency with significant land holdings (preferred).
• Strong grasp of the relationship between systems and outcomes.
• Passion for the mission of The Trustees of Reservations, a commitment to environmental stewardship, and the ability to lead and inspire others.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Your Benefits:

• Unlimited PTO
• Floating holidays/personal days: 15 Floating Holidays (13 observed holidays; 2 floating) 
• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offer additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits. 
• Dental and vision insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance 
• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 
• Life Insurance 
• 401(k) with 5% match after 1 year of employment
• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice. 
• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admissions and memberships to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions. 
• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns. 
• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property 
• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property 

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.   

 The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.