Location: Redlands, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $110,000 - $125,000 annually (based on experience)
On-Call Requirement: Flexible schedule with periodic on-call responsibilities, including evenings and weekends
Position Summary
Redlands Conservancy is seeking an experienced and mission-driven Executive Director (ED) to serve as the operational leader of our organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for managing day-to-day internal business operations, executing long-term strategic plans, and overseeing the organization's financial health. This role also oversees staff, organizational programs, our volunteer network, and relationships with community members, institutional partners, agencies, and government entities.
Leadership of Redlands Conservancy is divided into two complementary roles: the Executive Director (ED) and the Development Director (DD). The ED leads internal operations, programs, and organizational strategy, while the DD leads fund development and external partnerships.
The ideal ED candidate is a proactive, organized leader who thrives on stewarding people, programs, and properties, and who is passionate about historic preservation and land conservation.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership & Staff Management
• Direct daily employee activities, set clear performance goals, and supervise all organizational programs and projects related to historic preservation and land management.
• Attend periodic conferences relevant to historic preservation and land management, and encourage board member participation in professional development.
• Coordinate and manage diverse volunteer-led projects.
Financial Management
• Develop the annual budget in partnership with Volunteer Leads, the Development Director, and the Executive Committee.
• Work closely with Accounting Services to manage day-to-day accounting, conduct semi-annual revenue/expense reviews, and manage insurance policies.
• Manage and oversee contacts, the donor database, and donor acknowledgements.
Asset & Property Management
• Directly oversee operations, programs (such as Outdoor Education offerings), and projects (e.g., build-out of new trails or facilities) at the Gateway Ranch property, the Historic Asistencia property, and the organization's public trails and preserves.
Program & Project Management
• Directly oversee projects and related budgets for construction projects, renovations or repairs, acquisitions and large capital projects.
• Work with the Program Specialist to regularly review and adjust existing programs and create new programs that advance the organization's mission.
Volunteer Cultivation
• Working with the Program Specialist and Volunteer Leads, recruit, develop, and set a high standard for the treatment and onboarding of our robust volunteer workforce.
Events & Operational Partnership
• Collaborate with Volunteer Leads on the creation and presentation of annual events (Annual Social, Parties for the Necklace, Trails at 10 hikes) and coordinate day-to-day and long-term organizational activities with the Development Director.
Community Advocacy & Communication
• Manage stakeholder communications and all information channels; create content that tells the organization's story.
• Produce the quarterly newsletter for membership and deliver impactful presentations to community groups.
• Participate in activities of community organizations and champion the organization's message across local and regional media outlets.
• Nurture strategic partnerships with city, county, regional, state, and federal officials and major environmental agencies, including the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Conservation Board, among others.
Board of Directors Coordination
• Produce Board of Directors meeting agendas and minutes, and meet periodically with the Executive Committee to direct committee goals, objectives, and activities.
• Review and refresh Board policies and procedures; prepare the Annual Report and coordinate the Annual Meeting.
Compliance
• Maintain compliance with regulatory agency requirements, including annual Welfare Exemptions and annual filings with the Registry of Charities.
What Success Looks Like
Successful candidates will:
• Provide steady, values-driven leadership that keeps staff, volunteers, and programs aligned with the organization's mission.
• Maintain the organization's financial health and ensure accurate, transparent reporting to the Board.
• Build strong relationships with community members, government agencies, and institutional partners.
• Ensure Redlands Conservancy's properties, trails, and programs are well-managed and welcoming to the public.
• Embody our core values of Cooperation, Tolerance, Celebration of Volunteers, Passion for Our Work, Commitment to Redlands, and Joy every day.
Qualifications
Required
• Minimum five (5) years of related executive, operational, and/or non-profit management experience.
• Bachelor's degree (BA) in a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Working knowledge of historic preservation, environmental conservation, project management, and volunteer management.
• High familiarity with modern communication software, slide/presentation tools, website management, and social media platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization publicly.
Preferred
• Prior experience working with a nonprofit board of directors.
• Experience with grant management, government agency relations, or land trust operations.
• Familiarity with mitigation banking programs.
• Familiarity with the Redlands community and local historic or conservation landscape.
Physical Requirements
This role includes regular oversight of outdoor properties and trail systems in addition to
office-based work. With or without reasonable accommodation, candidates should be able to:
• Lift and carry up to 40 pounds (e.g., event and program materials, signage, supplies).
• Walk or hike on trails and other outdoor, sometimes uneven, natural terrain for property visits, events, and site oversight.
• Work a flexible schedule that includes regular evening meetings, weekends, and on-call availability.
Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions of this role.
Why Join Our Team?
• Meaningful work preserving Redlands' history, environment, and heritage for future generations.
• Salary of $110,000-$125,000 (DOE).
• Medical insurance package.
• Paid Time Off: 2 weeks (10 days) paid vacation, 5 personal days, and 7 paid holidays.
• Fully covered mileage expenses from the organization's office.
• Work location flexibility (organization's office and home office/field work).
• Computer and phone provided for administrative use.
• Organization space available for team meetings.
