Executive Director, Otsego Land Trust

Otsego Land Trust Seeks Executive Director

About Otsego Land Trust

Founded in 1987 Otsego Land Trust (OLT) is a community-based nonprofit working to protect and conserve local forests waters fields and farms in perpetuity while providing and promoting public access to nature. OLT works in the northernmost headwaters of the Susquehanna Watershed throughout Otsego County and extending into Schoharie Delaware and Herkimer Counties. As the only organization in the region that promotes the preservation of land in perpetuity Otsego Land Trust plays a unique role in advancing climate resilience and quality of life in its service area.

New York State is far from reaching its goal of conserving 30% of its lands and waters by 2030. New York currently has only 19% and the OLT service area a mere 5% of lands conserved. This 30% goal is shared by international and federal agencies. The benefits of conservation are clear: the maintenance of biodiversity flood and erosion mitigation cooling for urban landscapes protection of food sources improved water quality as well as the maintenance of public access to nature. The OLT service area is facing increasing development pressure. Our efforts aim to build climate resilience through the protection of the agricultural and natural resources of the region as well as contribute to a more sustainable future for the Upper Susquehanna Watershed.

Close to forty years since its founding OLT now protects over 11000 acres in perpetuity as the regions conservation leader. OLTs efforts include:

• Donated Conservation Easements on privately owned lands - Donated easements integrate landowner visions and needs for their properties as well as the mission of OLT. OLT has partnered with farmers hunters environmentalists and other landowners to create legal documents that protect their property and its unique conservation attributes in perpetuity.
• Public Lands - OLT maintains six public access sites including Brookwood Point and is working to make more land available for the community to enjoy. Activities available on OLT lands include recreational hiking and paddling bird watching fishing wetland restoration and research

Otsego County is a place where the American conservation movement was born in the 19th century and is now home to the Baseball Hall of Fame Fenimore Art Museum Glimmerglass Opera two colleges the beautiful Butternut Valley and the Bassett Health Care Network. Operating out of its headquarters in Cooperstown NY OLT has an annual operating budget of approximately $725000 total assets of $6 million and a staff of six. OLT is governed by an 8-member Board of Directors comprised of local and regional representatives with deep commitments to conservation and preservation. Since 2021 OLT has been very successfully led by its Executive Director Greg Farmer who will retire from his role upon the appointment of his successor.

Opportunity Going Forward

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead a vibrant and growing land trust which has dramatically expanded lands under protection grown its regional visibility and nurtured supportive and long-standing relationships with land owners government officials donors and the community at large. The Land Trust seeks a leader to continue a strong growth trajectory with focus vision and drive. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary professional staff as well as a diverse and committed board to build on the remarkable trajectory of growth achieved during the current Executive Directors tenure further expanding OLTs impact within and beyond Otsego addition to effectively and efficiently overseeing ongoing operations and managing the organizations finances the Board has identified three key priorities to meet the organizations current strategic plan and leading into the 40th Anniversary in 2027:

• Significantly increasing marketing and development efforts to build on a strong individual and institutional donor base while modernizing the image and outlook and culture of the organization.
• Refining and delivering on OLTs existing growth strategy to continue to position the organization to conserve additional lands while maximizing the impact of highly visible public access properties and programs.
• Expanding OLTs geographic boundaries by growing into a regional land trust through mutually beneficial partnerships with other organizations and landowners.

Preferred Experience

• A minimum of five years of senior leadership or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of passion for and/or experience with land trusts preservation and/or conservation
• Prior experience as an external representative of an organization with revenue generating responsibilities

Skills and Experience

Visionary Strategic and Mission-Driven Leader

• A bold self-confident and charismatic leader with a passion for conservation and preservation that is authentic inspiring and contagious.
• Skilled at considering defining and delivering on a bold and creative strategy to grow and sustain an organizations vision and impact while also respecting organizational traditions.
• Move thoughtfully intentionally and relatively quickly to engage and partner with others understanding how to create the alliances inherent in land trust work.
• Experience mediating conflict engaging in challenging conversations and diffusing tense situations which can occur in the field of conservation and preservation.
• Capable of establishing budgets and assuming the primary responsibility for OLTs fiscal oversight and financial health.
• Experience working collaboratively with boards and adhering to appropriate governance and management boundaries.

Empowering Team Leader

• A team builder and motivational leader and who is trustworthy honest fair and transparent.
• Decisive credible and collaborative leader with the willingness to lift others and share credit.
• Able to incorporate a flexible approach to management and decision-making while also providing clear focus to achieve measurable results.
• Skilled at establishing an inclusive positive and supportive work environment that promotes work-life balance.
• Able to refine an organizations framework and staffing structure to ensure its current and future success.
• A well-organized focused leader who models attention to detail and strong organizational skills holds self and others accountable to high standards and addresses performance issues quickly and fairly.

Steadfast Networker and Collaborator with Exceptional Communication Skills

• Dynamic energetic and charismatic ambassador advocate and spokesperson with strong communication skills who is connected to OLTs mission and communities.
• A strong networker with the desire to be OLTs public face to donors landowners state agencies and partners to sell OLTs vision and grow participation.
• An engaging and articulate diplomat an honest open authentic direct and compassionate consensus builder skilled at communicating with diverse individuals and groups meeting each where they are.
• Eager and energetic collaborator internally and externally who makes clear decisions and follows through on commitments.

Experienced and Effective Revenue Generator

• An inspiring spokesperson with credibility in the conservation sector who can close the deal negotiate contracts and agreements and secure donations.
• Skilled energetic and determined fundraiser with a track record of attracting stewarding and retaining donors someone who is eager and adept at making the ask.
• A diplomatic negotiator who can interact equally well with landowners farmers hunters partners and donors displaying both hard and soft selling skills.
• Eager to consider unique and creative funding strategies and marketing approaches to attract additional support.

Application Guidelines

This is a full-time salaried exempt position with a starting salary range of $130000 to $150000 commensurate with experience and qualifications and within the framework of the organizations annual budget. Candidates should include a resume and a cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of OLT. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Submit required documents at: is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer which encourages applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and cultures particularly candidates of color and/or candidates who know and/or represent the communities OLT serves.

This executive search is being conducted by Eos Transition Partners consultant John Tarvin. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential and any questions must be submitted to John at: .

Required Experience:

Director