Overview

The Trust for Public Land is seeking a dynamic, experienced leader to lead the Trust for Public Land programming throughout the state as their next Ohio State Director.

“At the Trust for Public Land, we don’t just save land—we save land for people to enjoy, from neighborhood parks to national parks.”

The mission of the Trust for Public Land is to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Every park, playground, and public space created is an open invitation to explore, wonder, discover, and play. The Trust for Public Land has been connecting communities to the outdoors and to each other since 1972. Today, millions of Americans live within a 10-minute walk of a park or natural area created by the organization, and countless more visit every year. For more information about the Trust for Public Land, visit https://www.tpl.org/.

The Opportunity:

The New York State Director is responsible for developing and managing The Trust for Public Land’s programmatic activities for Ohio. The Trust for Public Land’s work in Ohio encompasses a broad spectrum of work, from green infrastructure work to project work in Akron and elsewhere in the state. Beyond that, the Director will have responsibility for developing a 3P-to5-year strategic plan that identifies future opportunities, programs, and projects.

In all of this work, the State Director manages and mentors the operations staff and works in close collaboration with the State Director of Philanthropy to raise funding to support the office’s programs and operating costs. The State Director is also responsible for working with public/non-profit partners, major donors, the local Advisory Board, and others within the TPL organization to enhance opportunities for success of the office and its program. The individual must demonstrate a proven track record working with key individuals in the philanthropic community.

Key Responsibilities and Roles:

  • Philanthropy (35%)
  • Program Development and Management (25%)
  • Management/Administration (15%)
  • External Relations (25%)

Factors Critical for Success:

Within the first year, the successful candidate will have:

  • Mastered a learning curve of the Trust for Public Land to effectively assume management of the future of the New York office. This includes an understanding of Trust for Public Land’s core practice areas (PLAN, FUND, PROTECT, and CREATE), as well as national programs, and embracing a role in fundraising.
  • Built external relationships with our partners, especially members of the Advisory Board, civic organizations, and governmental entities.
  • Developed, in partnership with Director of Philanthropy, a list of 10-20 major donors with a strong emphasis on individuals. The State Director will be the natural partner for these donors.
  • Led the development of a3-5year strategic plan.
  • Become proficient in organizational financial systems to ensure a sustainable model for the Ohio office.
  • Begin to identify new program and project opportunities for the Ohio office.
  • Collaborated with philanthropy staff to recruit new members of the advisory board and volunteer leaders–providing them with all information necessary to function properly and to inspire their active engagement and support of local and national activities.%
  • Succeeded in maintaining and enhancing our image by being active and visible in the community.

Core Competencies:

This individual will have at least 5 years’ experience in an organization focused on public urban work and/or land protection, and at least 8 years of relevant non-profit work experience, including at least 5 years of staff management. Ideally a current or past Executive Director, s/he will have experience with public finance techniques, government funding practices and procedures, the foundation community, fundraising, marketing practices, best management practices and budgeting practices. It is desirable that candidates have a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, urban studies, landscape architecture or related fields, with an advanced degree preferred.

In addition, successful candidates will have the following core competencies:

  • Strategic Leadership & Planning
  • Operations Management & Oversight
  • External Relations and Communications
  • Fundraising Expertise
  • Collaboration, Relationship-building and Board Relations
  • Passion for the Mission

Contact:

The Trust for Public Land has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this hire. This search is being led by Liz Lombard. Please submit a resume here or e-mail Liz at the following:

Liz Lombard
Vice President, Executive Search
llombard@koyapartners.com

The Trust for Public Land does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or other characteristic covered by law with regard to employment opportunities.