Land Management Director

Position: Land Management Director

Salary Range: $70,000-$75,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits: Health Insurance, Paid Time off, Paid Holidays

Status: Full Time – 40 hours – Permanent – Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

To Apply:

Send resume and cover letter to jobs@landtrustnal.org on or before May 22, 2026. If an email containing these items is not received, you will not be considered for this job.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Supervise Recreation Manager and Conservation Manager
• Assist Executive Director with identification, planning, negotiation and securing land conservation projects
• Provide leadership and guidance in developing long-term strategic plans for conservation, recreation and stewardship goals and objectives
• Develop and maintain management plans for each property, including evaluation of strategies/ tactics/projects for appropriate conservation, restoration, recreation, education needs
• Manage annual monitoring of all land trust properties in accordance with Land Trust Alliance standards and practices; manage the installation and maintenance of boundary marking of all Land Trust properties
• Prepare annual Land Management Department budget request
• Serve as staff liaison to the Lands Committee

Land Acquisition

• Research and identify specific opportunities to maintain a pipeline of potential acquisitions that meet strategic goals
• Develop funding strategies for acquisitions, including public and private grants
• Draft Baseline Documentation Reports and Project Selection Criteria Assessment Reports
• Assist in managing the legal, contractual and other processes of carrying projects to completion from initial contact through negotiations to closing – including project approval process through Lands Committee and Board of Directors
• Manage and coordinate conservation easement notices, amendments, requests for approval, violations, and address fee-owned property requests and encroachments

Philanthropic Component

• Develop budgets for specific conservation, recreation and stewardship projects
• Identify funding opportunities for conservation, recreation and stewardship projects and assist in drafting funding proposals
• Implement, track and report on awarded land-related grants and/or restricted funding
• Outreach
• Build positive working relationships with landowners, lessees, governmental agencies, and partner organizations
• Maintain a good working relationship with first responders and respond to emergencies
• Provide landowners with guidance and information about conservation benefits and practices of potential conservation easement or fee land acquisitions
• Represent the organization as needed as a presenter/educator to increase public awareness of the mission and goals of the Land Trust
• Support the Land Trust’s philanthropic efforts, special events and promotion and
• communication efforts, as needed

Administration

• Manage property leases and maintain a good working relationship with all lessees
• Maintain property tax records and assure all records are up-to-date
• Assist Stewardship Manager and Conservation Manager with performance management and training
• Maintain land project files and records in accordance with LTA standards and practice
• Coordinate projects and activities with other Land Trust departments as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Job Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in natural resource management, environmental
• studies, land planning , real estate or related field
• 3-5 years of experience in land conservation, natural resource management, public preserve management, or related work ; supervisory experience preferred
• Knowledge of voluntary land protection techniques, including fee-simple transactions and conservation easements; Ability to interpret and evaluate real estate transactions, including deeds, appraisals, title reports, surveys, and related documents
• Knowledge of conservation planning, monitoring, stewardship, GIS, and map making
• Ability to read and interpret aerial photography, topographic maps, and ability to navigate property in the field
• Knowledge of natural ecological communities in north Alabama and ability to evaluate the quality and management needs of those natural areas preferred
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, volunteers, landowners, funders and other organizations
• Ability to work independently in remote natural areas, as well as collaborate in a team-based office environment
• Strong project management skills with ability to complete projects within deadlines and established budget
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, including public speaking
• High level of computer skills, including proficiency with MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Strong sense of ethics, integrity, discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality of donor and project information
• Possession of a valid Alabama State driver’s license and verifiable proof of auto insurance
• Ability to travel throughout the Land Trust service area and work some evenings and weekends