Director of Land Conservation

Director of Land Conservation

Annapolis office - Annapolis, MD 21401 Start Date 05/29/2026 End Date 06/30/2026

Overview

Salary Range $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 Salary/year

Description

ABOUT CHESAPEAKE CONSERVANCY

Chesapeake Conservancy is a non-profit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. We are a team of conservation entrepreneurs. As the only watershed-wide organization focused on land conservation, we believe that the Chesapeake is a national treasure that should be accessible for everyone and a place where wildlife can thrive. We use the latest data and technology to enhance the pace and effectiveness of conservation and restoration investments.

Position Summary

The Chesapeake Conservancy is growing our team with the addition of a Director of Land Conservation. This new position is a member of the organization's management team and provides leadership, coordination and execution of land conservation activities for Chesapeake Conservancy across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Director oversees the organization's land protection strategy including the use of the latest data and technology to guide land protection prioritization, and cultivate key partnerships to advance land conservation and giftlands. This position will oversee all aspects of land conservation transactions for the organization including: identifying opportunities, negotiating with landowners, exploring partnerships to provide public access, identifying long-term land holders, navigating public and private funding opportunities and sources, securing appraisals, due diligence and title work. The Director will lead the land conservation efforts with the assistance of a team that spans several departments within Chesapeake Conservancy, including the Conservation Innovation Center, Development team, and Tributary team, to identify and prioritize High Value Conservation Lands and develop a strategy to protect them. Historically, Chesapeake Conservancy looks to identify appropriate easement holders and long term stewards of the land we protect, partnering with local land trusts and government agencies. The Director will help us to explore land trust accreditation in the future as we look to maximize our impact and leverage our watershed wide reach.

Primary Responsibilities

• Implement a data driven strategy to identify High Value Conservation Lands throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Identify areas where partners need support, or partners are lacking to protect High Value Conservation Lands
• With regional consultants cultivate relationships and opportunities to build a pipeline of potential land transactions.
• Work in partnership with the CEO and data science team to identify and prioritize land conservation tools, technologies and opportunities.
• Negotiate directly with owners of high value conservation lands using a full range of real estate tools and techniques to achieve tangible, lasting conservation outcomes.
• In partnership with the Development team navigate, Federal, state, local and private funding sources to achieve maximum return on the conservation investment including exploring new and innovative financing mechanisms including credit markets.
• Ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance standards and practices and the Chesapeake Conservancy's Land Protection Strategy
• Represent Chesapeake Conservancy in state and regional collaboratives and contribute to policy agenda specific to land conservation priorities and programs.
• Evaluate gift land inquiries for conservation value or financial return. Engage funders and support donor communications
• Supervise Lands Team Contractors and collaborate with Chesapeake Conservancy Teams involved with supporting land and water conservation (primarily CIC, Tributaries Teams, and Development Team)
• Support joint planning, grants, and landowner outreach with partners
• Develop proposals and manage grants for conservation projects
• Lead annual planning, budgeting, and monthly progress tracking

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-10 years experience in land conservation real estate.
• Bachelor's degree in relevant area of study or equivalent experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep knowledge of land protection practices, real estate processes, and public funding sources (federal, state, local)
• Strong ability to navigate landowner and partner relationships, anticipate needs, and resolve conflict
• Understanding of emerging trends and practices supporting large landscape conservation and conservation finance
• Experience securing and managing philanthropic investments for land conservation
• Strategic, long-term thinker with creative, practical problem-solving skills
• Clear, effective communicator across audiences, with strong awareness of how language shapes outcomes
• Experienced team leader able to manage staff, contractors, and partners toward shared goals
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices and accreditation requirements
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities independently
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Suite
• Able to travel locally and work occasional evenings and weekends

The Chesapeake Conservancy office operates under a hybrid remote/in-person environment with one day in the office per week required.

Chesapeake Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. Salary and benefits are commensurate with the candidate's relevant professional experience and/or education with an expected salary range between $110,000 - $120,000.

The Conservancy offers a competitive employee benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, and participation in a retirement savings plan. Opportunities for advancement and professional development are available.