Outreach and Land Acquisition Manager

Are you a people person with a passion for parks? Great Parks is looking for an Outreach and Land Acquisition Manager to manage our land acquisition efforts and support community engagement in service of Great Parks’ master planning and capital projects. Bring expertise in land acquisition, community engagement, or both and join a team committed to work-life balance and creating a lasting legacy of conservation and high-quality public spaces in Hamilton County.

At Great Parks, our team members work together to preserve and protect natural resources and to provide outdoor recreation and education in order to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. Be a part of an inclusive organization that enriches the region by inspiring nature-based experiences, celebrating cultural heritage and building strong and healthy communities through our dedicated staff, volunteers, and friends.

The successful candidate will do the following:

• Leads agency-wide land acquisition efforts. Independently identifies opportunities to further implement Great Parks’ strategic plans in the community.
• Is a member of and provides leadership to the executive-level land acquisition and regional trails committees.
• Partners and collaborates with landowners, donors, and their representatives by providing information on the organization’s land acquisition goals, land donation processes, and potential conservation outcomes.
• Fosters meaningful relationships with community stakeholders and ensures diligent completion and tracking of action items, follow up, and communication.
• Directs the administrative activities of the Planning Administrator in support of land acquisition and community engagement initiatives, as well as maintenance of related records.
• In collaboration with the Philanthropy Division, manages and supports conversations related to land gifts and planned giving involving real estate; helps ensure smooth handoffs and accurate messaging.
• Supports preparation of grant applications for land acquisition by gathering and assembling necessary documentation (e.g., letters of intent, maps, public input summaries).
• Manages the digitization and organization of historic property records (including leases, easements, and deeds), working collaboratively with the GIS Coordinator, Planning Administrator, and volunteers to make this information searchable and accessible—ideally integrated with GIS platforms.
• Serves as a key liaison for division-wide outreach initiatives, collaborating with Marketing and Brand Strategy, Guest Experiences, and Planning staff to ensure consistent messaging, build community support, and strengthen relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Works in partnership with Conservation & Parks and Ranger Divisions to identify and address encroachments, ensure compliance with lease terms, and support the enforcement of easement and access agreements across the park district.
• Drives and promotes cross-functional outreach and acquisition projects, leveraging internal and external relationships to advance strategic conservation, partnership, and property management goals.
• Develops and maintains relationships with landowners in priority conservation and project areas; facilitates ongoing communication and trust-building to support potential land acquisition, access, or stewardship.
• Advises internal project teams on optimal community engagement strategies for capital projects and master planning, including public meetings, surveys, stakeholder communications, and follow-up.
• Identifies and builds new partnerships with allied organizations, including land trusts, community groups, conservancies, and public agencies, to support shared goals related to conservation, land protection, and project development; strengthens existing partnerships; coordinates on outreach, planning, and funding opportunities that advance collaborative initiatives.
• Serves as a public-facing representative of the organization in both formal and informal settings. Builds rapports, manages sensitive conversations, and represents organizational values with professionalism and empathy
• Attends public meetings, open houses, and site visits, including evenings or weekends, to represent the agency and support internal project leads.
• Performs job duties in accordance with Great Parks’ policies, procedures, and performance expectations.
• Maintains confidentiality of confidential and sensitive information.
• Works assigned schedule, exhibits regular and punctual attendance, and works outside of normal schedule as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of an acceptable qualification is:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban & Regional Planning, Public Administration, Communications, Community Development, Natural Resource Management, Real Estate, Land Use Planning or related field required.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in community or stakeholder engagement, land acquisition, conservation real estate, outreach and relationship management, or working with donors or estate planning professionals in a philanthropic context required.
• Strong communication and public speaking presentation skills
• Ability to document identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of original appointment as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act requirements

LICENSE OF CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

We offer an excellent benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance; paid vacation, 11 holidays and sick time; enrollment in Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and free or discounted use of many Great Parks of Hamilton County recreational activities.

Great Parks is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or any other classification protected under applicable law.