New York Program Manager
Land Trust Alliance
The New York Program Manager position offers an exciting opportunity to play a leadership role in the land conservation community. The successful candidate must have working knowledge or previous experience working with land trusts and the ability to build and sustain close, working relationships with diverse stakeholders in the context of complex regional conservation and land use issues. The Land Trust Alliance’s New York Program is the state land trust association for New York. This position is responsible for managing a suite of high impact programs and activities described below that closely align with Land Trust Alliance goals and priorities.
The New York Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) is a robust $3 million grants and capacity building program, made possible through a partnership with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. The NYPM plays a leadership role in the program design, grants review process, state contracting and budgeting, and is the Alliance’s lead relationship manager with New York State to ensure the program is achieving the desired impact.
The NYPM is also responsible for management of the New York Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trust (FCELT) Program which is a public private partnership funded through the NY Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the Alliance. This $1.5million annual program offers competitive matching grants funds to qualified New York land trusts to purchase conservation easements on forested land conservation to combat climate change.
The NYPM also plays an active and critical role in advancing state policy issues relevant to land conservation. The NYPM represents the land trust community’s interests at the state legislature in Albany, and with relevant state agencies. This effectiveness leading close collaboration and coordination with Alliance staff and land trust partners is vital to policy work as well as the design and implementation of educational programming including leading the annual New York land trust conference, periodic trainings and roundtable opportunities across the state.
The New York Program has a state Advisory Council, made up of land trust leaders across New York. The Advisory Council provides vital input on the activities and priorities of the New York Program, as well as plays a leadership role in raising critical funds to support the Program’s activities, especially at the state policy level. The New York Program Manager, in close coordination with the Advisory Council members and Alliance staff, manages Advisory Council activities.
The successful candidate for this position must be comfortable raising funds from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Ability to develop and manage budgets and help devise and implement strategies to diversify and grow funding for the Program is key.
Specific Responsibilities
Program Development and Management: Help set a strategic vision for the Alliance’s work with the land trust community in NY and manage all elements of day-to-day implementation. Working in close coordination with Alliance leadership and Northeast Program staff, along with the input of the NY Advisory Council, oversee development of strategic workplan for the NY Program. Ensure alignment with national Alliance priorities and manage all elements of day-to-day implementation. Program priorities include leading the New York Conservation Partnership Program and the related periodic contract negotiations with NY Department of Environmental Conservation, policy/advocacy efforts, supporting implementation of the national Land & Climate program and hosting an annual land conservation conference.
Policy & Advocacy: Lead NY land trust community engagement on specific policy issues as needed. This includes being the lead representative for the Land Trust Alliance and New York Land Trust Community at the state assembly, state senate and Governor’s office as well as with state agencies, advocating on issues important to land trusts and land conservation success.
Education and Training: Lead design and implementation of annual education and training offerings, including annual state conference. This includes evaluating the topics, speakers and locations for training events, developing new workshops that reflect known training needs in conjunction with Alliance staff and experienced practitioners, and assisting with the design of new and efficient ways to deliver training to land trusts.
Fundraising: Collaborate with Alliance development staff in identifying and cultivating relationships with key foundations, corporations, individuals, and public agencies with a goal of growing and diversifying funding. Achieve specific fundraising goals for New York policy efforts and annual conference which are developed in coordination with Eastern Division Director and Development staff. Help foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the Alliance.
Communications: Work with the Alliance Communications team to design and implement communications strategies for the NY Program that advance land conservation success and assist in coordinating internal and external communications to engage a broader community in land conservation. This will include developing and submitting articles for Alliance publications, Field Notes (e-newsletter), website, and other internal and external outlets.
Budget Management: Work collaboratively with the Eastern Division Director, Finance and Development departments, and other program staff to ensure sound budget management, reporting, and grant stewardship. Actively manage the budget for funding dedicated to the New York Program.
Ambassador: Represent the Alliance at select conferences, events, coalition meetings, land trust gatherings and other venues as warranted. Communicate the Alliance’s strategic priorities in adherence with messaging approved by the executive management team that presents a coherent, united organization.
Supervisory Oversight and Staff Coordination – Supervise Grants Management Specialist and other staff as needed. In addition, oversee and manage three long-term contractors dedicated to advancing NY Program initiatives. In close collaboration and coordination, work with other Eastern Division Program Managers regarding their work in New York.
Grant Administration: Lead and assist with New York grant programs including, evaluation of grant proposals, meeting logistics, accounting, reporting and other administrative responsibilities as needed and assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree preferred, however a reasonable combination of education and experience acceptable.
A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working with nonprofit organizations, preferably in the land conservation community.
Minimum one (1) year demonstrated ability to fundraise at all levels preferred, including foundations, corporations and individuals.
Strong project management experience, including a minimum of two (2) years demonstrated budget and grant management.
Familiarity and experience with private land conservation practices and programs, climate change, and community-based approaches for land conservation.
Strong interpersonal skills that demonstrate teamwork, diplomacy, respect and an awareness of how diverse identities and communication styles intersect.
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain work teams and multi-stakeholder collaborations, in both internal and external contexts.
Proven track record cultivating and maintaining relationships with diverse partners.
Ability to facilitate diverse, multi-stakeholder processes.
Demonstrated ability to manage consultants and other contractors.
Proven record of accomplishment in developing and supervising staff.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to manage program communications.
Proven ability to plan, implement, adapt and improve programs based on evaluation.
Ability to work effectively both independently without close supervision and as part of a team in a fast-paced work environment.
Ability to travel up to 20% including evenings/weekends.
Compensation
The budgeted salary range for this position is $75,000 – $85,000, commensurate with skills, years of experience, location, and unique background and qualifications of the candidate.
The Land Trust Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, vision, and other health coverage; life and disability insurance; paid vacation, personal, sick, and holiday leave; and 403(b) retirement benefits.
Contact
Send resume and cover letter, via email to careers@lta.org. If email is not an option, applications will be accepted by mail to Human Resources, Land Trust Alliance, 1250 H St, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005.
The Land Trust Alliance’s mission is to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Land Trust Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.
